Cleveland, OH

A Propos

Recent press about our local chapter: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/01/kindland-grassroots-micro-philanthropy-big-impacts-propel-awesome-foundation-cleveland.html

Interested in becoming a Trustee?
Contact Allison Lukacsy-Love (alukacsy@gmail.com)

Submit an application, below, before 11:59pm on June 1, 2026 to be considered for the next grant cycle (awarded in mid-March). (We will award three (3) $1,000 grants within 3 weeks of the above deadline. We have more Trustees than ever before and as of March 2025, we've awarded $73,000 to awesome projects - how cool is that?!

This chapter of the Awesome Foundation began in spring 2019 and awards quarterly $1,000 no-strings-attached cash to projects and programs that bring maximum awesomeness to Cleveland, Ohio (projects outside of Cuyahoga County are discouraged).

Check out the list of projects that we have funded on our chapter website to get a better sense of the scope and diversity of the "shovel-ready," creative, and totally awesome projects that have already bettered the lives of the residents of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In each case, the prospective grantee convinced us that an infusion of $1000 would make a significant & immediate impact. Our grantees have used the money to buy things like industrial flower coolers, gloves and garbage bags for cleaning up parks, an accessible commode, lumber for building bee houses, etc...but not for publishing a book or paying their rent.

…..more TIPS for applying to our chapter: - include PHOTOS! - Keeping the money local is our priority! Make sure your project is in Cuyahoga County and benefits others (ie, if you are looking for cash to open a for-profit business or fund your own salary, this is not the grant for you). - Think about the impact: is it sustainable? Will our gift be distinguishable amongst your other funders? Will our funds launch your project or be the last dollars in to make your idea a reality? - Be creative and specific - we love projects that stand out in a sea of 50+ applications each cycle and with so much to read, the best contenders for funds have succinct and specific plans to spend the cash. Tell us exactly what you will do with the funds and when. Details count!

Awesome Cleveland isn’t a foundation or a non-profit. Cash comes straight from the pockets of our passionate trustees and directly into the hands of the dreamers and doers making our community awesome. The definition of "Awesome" is left open-ended on purpose but it amounts to that intangible combination of social impact and fun. If you’ve got an innovative idea that needs support, you’ve come to the right place.

WHAT WE FUND: We fund real projects and programs that will make a real impact on the lives of those in the Greater Cleveland area.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND: We do not fund programs that do not specifically impact those living in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. While we appreciate the good work you’re trying to do, please do not apply for funding in any of those cases. And we DO NOT FUND FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES.

OUR PROCESS: The trustees meet during the second week of the last month of each quarter (March, June, September, December). Directly after, we vote, announce the winner, and hand over the money! We take you at your word that you’ll finish the project within a few months time. Keep us in the loop along the way. Even if you don't get a grant, our volunteer Trustees strive to connect you with people or organizations who share your interests and pursuits. We occasionally plan ‘Awesome Happy Hours’ so stay tuned to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/awesomeCLE) for updates.
We want everyone to know #ClevelandIsAwesome

Rencontrer les Donateurs

Allison Lukacsy-Love ➚

Alyssa Androsac

Steven Aviram

Andrew Berman

Jennifer Bivens

Elise Braverman-Plotkin

Joanne Brown

Carrie Ann Campbell

Noelle Celeste

Katy Corrigan

Marc Ehrenreich

Sharon Fagin

Matt and Alyson Fieldman

Awesome Partout !

Worldwide

Armenia

Australia

Canada

Malaysia

Netherlands

Qatar

Singapore

United Kingdom

United States

GardenWalk Cleveland 2026

Food Strong's Care-a-Van Summer Wellness Series

Harmony Road eBikes

Caregiver Empowerment Series

Bows4breastcancer

Feeding our Neighbors

Supplies for Free and Affordable Art Classes

Free Front-Yard Trees for Residents

Thrive From The Grown Up Solar shed

Trash Fish

Operational Space Upgrade

Hack The Land

Dollars & Sense: "Money Beyond the Numbers"

Comics at the Corner 2025 Lit lounges

JVA Cleveland Archive Community Archiving Day

2nd Annual Christmas Gifting & Dinner

Chess Tournament

Creative Babywearing

The Tree of LIfe

Turning Wheels

Puentes del Pasado

[CodeHers CLE]

Natural Clay Plaster Workshops

Superhero Project Touring Exhibit

Slavic Village Bike Fix-a-thon

Cleveland Sews' Community Sew-A-Thon

Reading Rehabilitation

Rust Belt Linen Project

Every Child Deserves a Good Knight

Sistah-Djiguene: Bridges to Sisterhood

One Set: 10-month School Based Program

ROAR Initiative

A.I.M (Art. In. Mindfulness) Project

Sophisticleveland Steppers and Drumrow Drumline

Show Your Colors

3MB AfterSchool

Peter Rabbit Project

Americans Making Immigrants Safe (AMIS)

Playroom Restoration for Education

Reflections of Me!

KIDShakes: Shakespeare for Families!

Bridge the Gap Initiative

Saving Young Women through the Arts

Bluestone Court Coalition Mentorship Program

Hydroponic Gardening

Coit Road Apiary

Waterloo Banners

POPCE Community Garden Come Back

Wellness Awareness & Outreach!

Moble Sensory Bus

Clenagers

ListenCLE - Busking Initiative

Splash and Friends

Yoga Teacher Scholarship

Keep the Critters Out Campaign

Garden of Life Uplift

Outdoor Connection Kits & Outside Discovering Me!

Tablets, Hotspots, Training for Low Income Seniors

Art Block

Feed the Soul

Young Leaders Program

Virtual Opening of Cozad Bates House

Let's Stop Gang Violence in Cleveland Ohio

ALIEN CSI 21st Century STEM Experience

The Nandily Tea Lounge

A bee-utiful and egg-cellent urban farm

Microgrid Engineers of Tomorrow Network or MET Net

BRSH: B. Riley Sober House.

Donté's Gift Express