tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/fr/projectsAwesome Foundation - Projects2026-05-15T14:51:10Ztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5159002026-05-13T00:00:00Z2026-05-15T14:51:10ZIpswich, MA – Babysitting Course in IpswichI want to help my friends get certified in babysitting. This would help families who need babysitters and help teenagers feel more prepared when taking care of kids. It also gives teenagers an opportunity to make money.
I already took the Red Cross Babysitting Course. It was very good and I feel more confident when babysitting. But I had to travel to Woburn to attend the class. That's why I think it would be AWESOME to offer the course in Ipswich so more people could get certified! Amelia LinehanBabysitting Course in IpswichUnited StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5195192026-05-13T00:00:00Z2026-05-15T14:50:14ZIpswich, MA – Town-Wide Scavenger HuntOur awesome project will bring our community together in new ways. The whole town will be included in a spring related scavenger hunt. Stations with people attending them will be set up around town providing hints and small gifts such as flowers, gift cards, spring related sweets, and more. You start at the town green, the grass near the visitor center, and work your way around town, collecting small gifts and participating in activities. At the beginning you will be given a basket or a bag. As you make your way to each station you will need to complete a small task like painting a rock, planting a flower, picking up trash, singing a song, or playing a short game. Then you will be given a hint and a little goodie. There will be a total of around 10 stands. If you finish the hunt, you will receive a free small flower pot to take home at the last station. We will reach out to small local stores and ask if they would like to have a station in their establishment or provide treats and prizes.The whole idea of this is to bring together people of all ages to create a fun, immersive activity that builds community and celebrates spring. Amelia MartinezTown-Wide Scavenger HuntUnited StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5531152026-05-12T00:00:00Z2026-05-12T22:49:07ZPhiladelphia, PA – String Explorations Education OutreachString Explorations is a music performance and music education project led by Chris Coyle. Education-wise, Chris and his collaborators seek to inspire young music students (primarily violin/cello/guitar/bass students ranging from college to middle school levels) and encourage them to develop practice approaches and skills found outside of the traditional "orchestra" and classical experience. Through demonstrations, conversations, and shareable resources made available to students, we model jazz learning and diverse styles (folk, fiddle, Latin, funk, and much more) for strings and help students take steps towards improvisation and self-guided creativity. The goal is not to convert students to jazz learning exclusively, but to help them see the connections and possibilities that diverse study offers. We want students to feel like they can create their own musical path.
We have offered this content and experience in formal settings, including at the Jazz Education Network's national conference in 2025 and at college music programs such as Temple University and Ursinus College. Our work can be most impactful at smaller schools and organizations that often lack a budget for guest artists or specialized programming. We want to reach students even when program budgeting proves difficult, and this is where Awesome Fund can help.
We are seeking modest stipend funds to cover teaching work done by our team at local/regional schools or organizations. This compensation is equivalent to just a fraction of what we are (sometimes) paid by private schools and colleges, but it makes it possible for us to prioritize the time and effort. Again, working in these settings can be even more impactful than serving students at well-resourced schools and organizations.
While this is surely a niche project, we have a ready-to-roll plan in place to engage young students with our work. Documenting this proposed work can lead to more opportunities for project support.
Chris CoyleString Explorations Education Outreachhttp://chriscoylemusic.comUnited StatesPhiladelphia, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/philadelphiatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5356292026-05-06T00:00:00Z2026-05-11T00:38:04ZSydney – Opening the Doors: 50 Free Tickets to CruiseWe are delivering a targeted access initiative alongside Cruise, a queer theatre work presented at the Seymour Centre that centres queer history, memory and survival.
This project focuses on who gets to be in the room. While Cruise speaks directly to LGBTQIA+ experience, particularly the legacy of the HIV/AIDS crisis, many of the people most connected to these histories face financial barriers to attending theatre. This creates a disconnect between the work and the communities it represents.
Our aim is to address that gap in a direct and practical way. By prioritising access for older LGBTQIA+ people and those on low or no income, the project supports participation from community members who are often excluded from cultural spaces. It also creates conditions for intergenerational exchange, where lived experience and contemporary queer life can sit alongside each other.
Fruit Box’s work is grounded in extending theatre beyond the stage. This means creating space for gathering, recognition and shared experience. Ensuring the audience reflects the community is a key part of that. This project contributes to a more inclusive, representative and connected cultural environment, where queer stories are not only told, but experienced by those they belong to.Fruit Box TheatreOpening the Doors: 50 Free Tickets to Cruisehttps://www.fruitboxtheatre.com.au/cruise-seymour-centreAustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5314172026-05-04T00:00:00Z2026-05-09T13:49:39ZWashington, DC – Local Indie Author Book ShopI plan to start a “bookstore” in Dupont Underground featuring local, small-press authors who otherwise would have difficulty getting their books into a brick-and-mortar store. While I believe many people want to read local authors, it can be hard to know where to find their work. There is not currently a place in DC where you can physically pick up, peruse, and make a selection of a book by local authors, including those published by small presses.
Because of the economics of book selling, it is easiest and most profitable for stores to work with large distributors. Some sell local authors on commission, usually a 50/50 split, but for talented small press authors who typically earn a 15% royalty, this means losing money. Having a place to display and sell your book is a big deal to small press authors, not only for potential sales, but also as a sign of legitimacy.
Dupont Underground is an eager partner. They already host regular poetry readings and allow/encourage poets to sell books at the events. They even have empty bookshelves! They don’t, however, have the manpower, depth of knowledge about small presses, and available capital to build a curated inventory of books by local authors without the Awesome Foundation and me!
Theodore CarterLocal Indie Author Book ShopUnited StatesWashington, DChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/dctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5296532026-04-30T00:00:00Z2026-05-09T17:30:18ZLos Angeles, CA – Eternal CanvasEternal Canvas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping grieving families navigate their grieving process through complimentary, hand-painted, personalized portraits. At its surface, the work may appear to be about art, but for the families we serve, these portraits become something far more enduring. They are not simply images; they are vessels of memory, reminders that their loved ones lived, were loved, and continue to hold presence in a world that can so quickly move forward without them. For many families, grief is something they are forced to carry alone, often compounded by financial barriers that make healing resources inaccessible.
Eternal Canvas was created to challenge that reality.
Every Sunday at 6am, my dad and I sharpen knives at the Brentwood Farmers Market to fund my work. By offering portraits free of charge, the organization ensures that remembrance is not a privilege reserved for those who can afford them. What began as a single portrait, has now become seventy families served across Los Angeles. Each piece represents not only an individual life, but a commitment to honoring stories that might otherwise go unseen.
Eternal Canvas has partnered its work with Taking Time Bereavement Support, El Segundo Museum of Art, and Indivisible Arts. These partnerships not only validate the impact of our work, but also allow us to integrate our mission into other communities and bereavement/artistic conversations.
As the demand for this work grew, so did the responsibility to meet it. To continue serving families with the same level of intention and quality, I built a team of over 20 artists from across the world, each bringing unique styles and perspectives, many of whom have experienced personal loss themselves. With this team, we are able to expand our reach while ensuring that every portrait reflects the life, personality, and presence of the person being remembered. Eternal Canvas exists to make every life remembered and every story honored.
HughEternal Canvashttps://eternalcanvas.orgUnited StatesLos Angeles, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/los-angelestag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5358172026-04-30T00:00:00Z2026-05-08T16:58:03ZToronto – Questing Through Life @ Toronto Fringe Festival Questing Through Life @ The Toronto Fringe Festival is a youth-led theatre project by Dodo Tree Productions, a newly founded Toronto collective creating space for young artists in professional theatre. This summer, we are bringing our original play Questing Through Life to the Toronto Fringe Festival—Ontario’s largest theatre festival—at Soulpepper theatre for 7 performances. As one of the few shows in the Fringe Teen category (out of 120+ productions), our work is both written by and created for young people, led by a 17-year-old playwright and director with a predominantly under-19 cast with many making their professional debut—something rarely seen at the professional level.
Our project addresses a key gap in the industry: talented young artists often lack access to mentorship, experience, and professional connections to be able to perform in professional theatre productions. We support emerging performers in breaking into the industry and building relationships through the festival. Our seven-person ensemble and I collaborate to bring this project to life, not only through performance but also by engaging in production, and marketing, building real, hands-on experience.
Questing Through Life is where things gets even more awesome. The play blends coming-of-age storytelling with Dungeons & Dragons, bringing tabletop roleplaying into scripted theatre. Four friends find their DnD campaign bleeding into real life, gaining the power to shape their reality—until control, identity, and consequence catch up with them. The show moves between grounded realism and melodramatic fantasy, featuring puppetry, interactive elements like dice-rolling, and a merging of two worlds on stage. It’s a story about growing up, and what happens when imagination stops being “just a game."
This project is both experimental and deeply human. It introduces DnD to new audiences, expands what theatre can look like, and gives young artists a real platform to create at a professional level.Tanya YongQuesting Through Life @ Toronto Fringe Festival CanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5350382026-04-30T00:00:00Z2026-05-06T16:58:43ZDisability – CaféLSA: Turning Coffee into a Sign Language ExperCaféLSA is Argentina’s first coffee shop fully operated in Argentine Sign Language (LSA), created by Deaf people to transform everyday interactions into inclusive, human experiences.
In a world designed for hearing people, Deaf individuals are often excluded from something as simple as ordering a coffee. At CaféLSA, we reverse that logic: sign language becomes the center, not the exception.
Customers don’t just consume a product — they experience a new way of communicating. They learn, adapt, connect, and leave with a deeper understanding of Deaf culture and language rights.
CaféLSA is not just a café. It is a living space of accessibility, dignity, and social transformation. We prove every day that inclusion is not charity — it is innovation.
With this project, we want to make that first interaction easier, more welcoming, and more powerful for everyone who walks through our doors.
**What our grantee is saying:** “Receiving this award means that our vision is being seen and valued globally. CaféLSA is more than a café — it is a space where communication barriers are transformed into bridges, where sign language becomes the center, and where every interaction creates awareness, dignity, and connection. This support allows us to continue building a world where accessibility is not the exception, but the standard.”Hugo FarfánCaféLSA: Turning Coffee into a Sign Language Experhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DPjrIVXDoPE/WorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5299752026-04-30T00:00:00Z2026-05-05T23:03:10ZNew York City, NY – Photography 101 SeriesWe are excited to announce that our April grant has been awarded to the photographer Hanna Wondmagegn's **Photography 101 Series**, a free / low-cost educational series aimed at demystifying the photography experience with a focus on community building and resource sharing through hands-on workshops and field trips. In partnership with [Sounds of Spotlight NYC (SOS)](https://www.soundsofspotlight.com/), a creative collective that supports Black and brown creatives through community events, education and community building, this series focuses on breaking down the technical skills, production and post-production experience, and the exhibition of works with industry leaders and community partners.
In Hanna's own words:
_The Photography 101 Series came from our communities experiences' with navigating the photography industry. From the person interested in picking up a camera to the veteran that's been in the industry for years, everyone has questions and it's often difficult and/or expensive to get them answered. Our series aims to provide a free to low cost educational experiences that will demystify the photography experience for communities that are often not included or barred from the industry. Through monthly sessions, field trips, and a final end of year group exhibition, this series combines community building and resource sharing designed to life everyone up and provide the foundational knowledge and networks to succeed on their terms._
_The core of what we believe in is that we have all the resources and knowledge we need in our communities and networks, and want to bring people into our series to learn from each other. That's where you come in! We are currently developing a lot of our programming for the year and are looking for community members who are willing to host, educate, sponsor, or support in any way. Specifically, we are looking for folks in the following categories who would be available for in person NYC programming in 2026: legal and tax experts that specifically work with artists/photographers; film, studio and digital photography experts; photography related businesses; photography agencies; photo editors, creative directors and producers that work with photographers; photography collectives and groups; professors or educators who either teach photography or have students interested in learning; and experts in photo editing software._
* If you are interested or would like to know more on how to support, please email hannawon72@gmail.com.
* If you are interested in attending the programming(s), follow [@hannawonphoto](https://instagram.comhannawonphoto) and [@soundsofspotlight](https://instagram.com/soundsofspotlight) on Instagram for updates!
Hanna WondmagegnPhotography 101 Serieshttps://hannawonphoto.comUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5245162026-04-30T00:00:00Z2026-05-01T01:04:39ZGloucester, MA – Cape Ann Families Bowl with PrideCape Ann Pride is organizing the third annual “Cape Ann Families Bowl With Pride” event at Cape Ann Lanes in Gloucester—a fun, welcoming, family-friendly gathering that brings LGBTQIA+ people and their allies together in a safe and supportive space.
Planned for Sunday afternoon, May 31, the event invites families, teens, and community members from across Cape Ann to enjoy a relaxed afternoon of bowling, conversation, and connection.
This event has quickly become a favorite Pride event because it offers a simple and joyful way for people to come together. Bowling is accessible to all ages and creates a natural environment for people to meet, laugh, and build community.
For many LGBTQIA+ youth and families, spaces where they can gather openly and comfortably are still limited. This event intentionally creates a welcoming environment where everyone can simply show up, have fun, and feel supported.
Cape Ann Lanes has partnered with CAP to host the event, turning the bowling center into a vibrant community hub for the afternoon. By its third year, “Cape Ann Families Bowl With Pride” continues to grow as an event that strengthens community connections while celebrating Pride on Cape Ann.
Colleen Murdock and Heather StewartCape Ann Families Bowl with Pridehttp://CapeAnnPride.orgUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5411342026-04-29T00:00:00Z2026-05-04T13:05:06ZState College, PA – Happy Valley FitLinkHappy Valley FitLink is an inclusive wellness program for neurodiverse individuals (intellectual disabilities, Autism, cerebral palsy). Our vision is to build an inclusive community where individuals with intellectual disabilities express themselves through movement.
We provide weekly adapted fitness classes for all ages and serve as an educational resource for participants and their families/caregivers through wellness seminars focused on whole-body health. We also hold special events to allow our group to experience other recreational opportunities availible in the State College area like fly fishing, pickle ball, rock climbing, and disc golf. Our program is entirely volunteer-run, and all services are free. We partner with PSU interns who help lead classes and support our seminars; many go on to careers in healthcare and other people-facing professions, where this experience shapes their ability to provide more inclusive, patient-centered care and advocate for improved accessibility for individuals with IDD across clinical and community settings.
We offer 4 weekly fitness classes: cardio drumming at Grace Lutheran Church in State College, group fitness at the State College YMCA, and two virtual classes for participants inside and outside the area. We also provide two weekly wellness education classes for LifelinkPSU, a special education classroom on Penn State’s campus.
Participation remains strong, but we have not updated equipment since 2021. We are also serving individuals with greater support needs and require funding to purchase new equipment and modify existing materials to improve accessibility, especially for participants unable to hold pool noodles used in drumming.
Since 2021, we have held 250+ fitness classes, 100+ wellness seminars, and hosted 40+ PSU student interns. We are seeking funding from 3 Dots to continue providing high-quality, inclusive wellness programming to the State College community.JACOB JOHN COREYHappy Valley FitLinkhttps://www.happyvalleyfitlink.com/United StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5306802026-04-29T00:00:00Z2026-05-04T13:05:35ZState College, PA – Penn's Prairie Park Pollinator Parcel EnhancementsLocated just outside of Centre Hall, Penn’s Prairie Park is a 165‑acre community park designed to be a welcoming destination for visitors of all ages and abilities. Existing features include trails, a library ADA StoryWalk, two athletic fields, an 18‑hole disc golf course, a pavilion, and a new playground. Eagle Scouts have added a rustic pavilion, fire pit, picnic tables, and a redeveloped bike skills course, while the Girl Scouts have created a small pollinator plot. After years of steady volunteer effort, the park is beginning to come into its full potential.
In Spring 2025, the Park Board designated four acres as a Pollinator Parcel. The goal is to transform the existing meadow, already largely free of invasive species, into a thriving pollinator garden filled with native plantings and habitat features such as a solitary bee “hotel.” This project directly enhances the visitor experience by adding beauty, food and shelter for pollinators, and hands‑on educational opportunities for all visitors.
This grant will fund groupings of native perennials, 5 plant identification signs, and a solitary bee hotel. These are tangible, lasting improvements: native perennials will spread over time, offering blooms (pollinator food!) spring through fall, the bee hotel will support cavity‑nesting species for years, and the signs will help visitors learn to recognize and value native plants.
The project also invites broad community involvement. Two local organizations have already committed to assisting with planting, and the park will promote volunteer opportunities to the wider community. As the garden grows, it will serve as a living classroom. A scripted educational pollinator walk, already developed, will eventually be paired with four larger interpretive signs, and combined with this project’s signage and bee hotel, will enable any educator or community leader to guide groups through the space and learn about native species and pollinator conservation.
Erin RubioPenn's Prairie Park Pollinator Parcel Enhancementshttp://www.PennsPrairie.comUnited StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5388772026-04-29T00:00:00Z2026-04-30T15:47:06ZRhode Island – Trans History Through the South SideTrans activist and OG of Providence's South Side, Jesse Andrews, is creating a book tentatively titled, “I’m from the South Side: The Life and Journey of Jesse Andrews, a.k.a. Lil’ Kim.” The work is accompanied by a photo exhibition produced in collaboration with Jorge Ureña.
As Andrews describes, the importance of this project is threefold: "1) to uplift my life and survival as an unsung leader whose radical activism has created possibilities for the next generation 2) to shed light on trans women of color history in the state because my story is bound up in the stories and care networks of other trans women 3) provide a space of inspiration and knowledge sharing for the younger generation of trans women and non-binary people during this moment of heightened transphobia and state repression of trans lives."
The exhibit is set to open June 28th at Arts by Ariel, a venue that has long served Black and Brown artists and activists. Later plans include work at AS220 (August) and the South Side Cultural Center (November) to accompany Trans Day of Remembrance Celebration of Life.Jesse AndrewsTrans History Through the South SideUnited StatesRhode Islandhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/rhodeislandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5388342026-04-28T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T14:15:25ZChicago, IL – The Real Steele: Messages From the Mic"Messages from the Mic" is a documentary that traces the life, resilience, and enduring legacy of Richard Steele, a pioneering Black radio disc jockey and television broadcaster whose voice helped define the sound and soul of Chicago.
In a city shaped by rhythm, struggle, and creativity, Steele’s cool, commanding presence cut through the noise, rooted in honesty, humor, and a deep connection to the people he served. More than an entertainer, he was a cultural anchor and connector, interviewing icons, challenging norms, and redefining what was possible for a Black broadcaster in one of America’s most influential media markets.
Yet behind the mic, Steele’s journey was shaped by private battles, systemic barriers, and the challenges of breaking & sustaining new ground in spaces few had occupied. Directed by his granddaughter, Christen Slaughter, the film entwines archival footage, intimate reflection, and untold stories to paint a personal portrait of a man whose versatility, presence, and humanity made him a defining voice in Chicago’s cultural heartbeat.
Messages from the Mic honors not only Steele’s life, but the enduring role of Black radio as a keeper of cultural memory, where voices like his shaped a city’s sound, preserved its stories, and left an indelible mark on Chicago.
The Awesome Foundation Grant would directly fund a specific and essential part of the project: the digitization and preservation of archival materials connected to Richard Steele’s legacy, as well as partial compensation for crew during upcoming interview shoots.
A portion of the funds would be used to professionally digitize and restore rare photographs and historical media so they can be properly integrated into the documentary. These materials are central to the storytelling and help ground the film in the historical context of his work and impact in Chicago media.
The remaining funds would go toward supporting a small crew during production days, particularly camera and sound support during key interviews. This allows capturing high-quality material while maintaining a respectful and sustainable production process.Christen SlaughterThe Real Steele: Messages From the Michttps://www.christensimone.com/richard-steele-docUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5208392026-04-27T00:00:00Z2026-05-02T18:22:30ZOrlando, FL – Take a Jit to Fish™️- Fishing&Life Skills-STEM Take a Jit to Fish™ is a community-based youth program in Orlando that combines fishing, STEM education, and mentorship to create a positive and hands-on learning experience for kids.
We are applying for this grant to host a free community fishing event where youth can learn real-life science concepts like buoyancy, ecosystems, and water conservation while also developing patience, discipline, and confidence.
This event will serve 30–50 youth, many of whom come from underserved communities with limited access to outdoor learning opportunities. Through this experience, kids will not only learn how to fish, but also gain exposure to positive role models, teamwork, and new possibilities for their future.
Take a Jit to Fish™ is about more than fishing—it’s about giving kids a safe space, teaching life skills, and creating moments that can change the direction of their lives.Antron SandersTake a Jit to Fish™️- Fishing&Life Skills-STEM https://www.instagram.com/takeajittofish?igsh=MTMyNXZucXZwejIwbA==United StatesOrlando, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/orlandotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5346062026-04-20T00:00:00Z2026-04-21T14:43:22ZPoughkeepsie, NY – La Guelaguetza 2026La Guelaguetza is a one-day cultural and arts festival celebrating the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico through the experience of authentic Oaxacan dance, music and food.Celebrating its 19th year, La Guelaguetza 2026 brings Grupo Folclórico de Poughkeepsie (GFP), under the direction of Felipe Santos, volunteer members of La Guelaguetza Poughkeepsie organizing committee, and a dedicated group of over 40 individuals from the Hudson Valley community together to host the festival.
For La Guelaguetza 2026, a total of six dance groups, five singers and a live band from California will perform. The artists performing traditional folkloric dances native to Oaxaca are paired with music from each region. The audience learns of the meaning and historical context of each of the day's performances in both Spanish and English. Each dance is executed with corresponding costumes, offerings and movement to signify unique indigenous, historical, and cultural significances.
In addition to the colorful performances, visitors can enjoy a variety of authentic Mexican food to eat and craft vendors offer jewelry and other handmade items for purchase. Several area non-profits offer bilingual information about health screenings, voter registration, and library services, immigration and naturalization, as well as, tourist information for Dutchess County and the surrounding Hudson Valley.Jessica Sherman La Guelaguetza 2026https://www.facebook.com/pokguelaguetza/United StatesPoughkeepsie, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/poughkeepsietag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5195312026-04-19T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T13:49:36ZDetroit, MI – Culture to Civic: Detroit Youth TakeoverBlackCount is launching Culture to Civic: Detroit Youth Takeover, a bold, high-energy pop-up experience where culture meets leadership and young people step into their voice in real time.
This is not a panel. Not a workshop. Not another program youth sit through.
This is an immersive, youth-led experience designed to feel like the spaces they already love—music, conversation, creativity, but with a deeper purpose. Through live elements, storytelling, and interactive moments, young people will explore leadership, identity, and the power they hold to shape their communities.
The experience will be activated in a dynamic Detroit cultural setting, such as a summer gathering or live venue space, where youth are already present and engaged. By meeting young people where they are, we create a space that feels authentic, accessible, and energizing.
Detroit is a city rich in culture, resilience, and influence. This project taps directly into that energy by creating a space where youth don’t just participate, they lead. They share perspectives, connect with mentors, and see firsthand how culture, entrepreneurship, and community impact intersect.
What makes this project “awesome” is that it flips the script. Instead of asking youth to adapt to traditional systems, we bring leadership and opportunity into spaces that already feel real to them. It creates a moment where young people can see themselves differently.
This is the first activation of a model BlackCount plans to expand, turning culture into a gateway for confidence, connection, and leadership.Carmen MeeksCulture to Civic: Detroit Youth Takeoverhttp://blackcount.orgUnited StatesDetroit, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/detroittag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5335192026-04-16T00:00:00Z2026-04-29T15:23:16ZKingston – The Belong Map- The map Visit Kingston forgot.Kingston has plenty of visitor guides, event listings, and “things to do” content. What it does not have is a practical belonging map for non-student adults, and newer residents trying to actually build a life here.
The Belong Map is a story-led photo and reel-based community discovery project that makes Kingston’s invisible social infrastructure more visible. Instead of showing where to visit, it will show where people start to belong.
The project has two outputs.
Primary output is a digital Belonging Map for non-student adults and newer residents, plus a limited printed version for participants. It will feature story- led photo posts of 8–12 low-cost, easy-to-access, low-pressure places and community entry points across Kingston, intentionally extending beyond downtown and tourist sites into neighbourhood-friendly spaces. The focus is on people who are by themselves, new here, or not yet rooted - people looking for places where they can start showing up alone, find low-pressure routines to meet others, to stop feeling temporary and start feeling local.
The pilot categories include:
• go alone without it being weird
• meet people without bars, apps, or networking
• low-cost places to start showing up
• become a regular somewhere
• easy first steps for newcomers
• join in without already knowing someone
• alcohol-free ways to be around people
• neighbourhood routines that make Kingston feel less temporary
Secondary output is a small portrait and reel series, How We Belong in Kingston, featuring real people and real places behind that map. Each story will answer a practical question: what helped this person find their footing here, and where should someone new start?
This project helps people live Kingston, not just visit it. The goal is to create a first public version that is useful, shareable, visually strong, and clearly grounded in real local routines and community spaces. A map that people could actually save, share and come back to use.Petal N DustThe Belong Map- The map Visit Kingston forgot.https://petalndust.wordpress.com/the-belong-map/CanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5344732026-04-16T00:00:00Z2026-04-23T21:39:12ZSt. Paul, MN – Youth Led, Summer Soccer CampAwesomeStPaul’s April 2026 grant
will fund a youth-led Summer Soccer Camp. Congratulations!
Now in its third year, this collaborative soccer camp brings together St. Paul Central High School, the St. Paul Central Sports Boosters, and Saint Paul Parks & Recreation to create something genuinely special: a free or low-cost soccer experience designed for youth, with a focus on girls, from elementary and middle school.
St. Paul Central is the largest public high school in Saint Paul, situated right in the heart of the city and serving one of its most diverse communities. That location makes it a natural hub for exactly this kind of cross-community programming.
What makes this program unique is its generational coaching model. Each year, 30 high school athletes step into leadership roles as coaches, mentoring approximately 100 younger campers and building real connections across grade levels. For the younger kids, it's more than just soccer, it's a chance to feel excited and confident about the transition to high school, guided by peers they can look up to.
This program is also a direct response to the growing "pay-to-play" crisis in youth sports. As club leagues and competitive programs price out working-class and lower-income families, free community events like this one ensure that zip code and family income don't determine which kids get to play. Every child deserves access to sport, coaching, and the life skills that come with them.
For the high school coaches, the impact runs just as deep. Women and girls remain significantly underrepresented in coaching at every level, from youth leagues to collegiate programs. By putting high school girls in charge, this camp gives them hands-on coaching experience early, helping to build the next generation of female athletic leaders and close a gap that starts long before the professional ranks.
The camp strengthens the fabric of the Saint Paul community by connecting families, bridging schools, and fostering relationships between students who might not otherwise meet. Sports, at their best, are a powerful equalizer.Jeni O'MalleyYouth Led, Summer Soccer Camphttps://www.centralboosters.org/United StatesSt. Paul, MNhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/stpaultag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4631232026-04-15T00:00:00Z2026-04-15T17:15:38ZCass Clay – Sacred Passage Community Grief Support FundSacred Passage Death Doula Services provides compassionate, non-medical support to individuals and families navigating serious illness, death, and grief in Cass and Clay counties. Founded in 2025 and now a nonprofit, our organization exists to ensure that no one has to face dying or loss alone.
With this $1,000 grant, we will create a Community Grief Support Fund to offer free and sliding-scale death doula services to individuals and families who are experiencing isolation, caregiving overwhelm, or financial barriers to care. This includes one-on-one emotional support, companionship during serious illness or dying, guidance around end-of-life conversations, and grief support before and after death.
Funds will be used for direct service hours, grief and legacy materials, and outreach so that care can reach people who are often overlooked, especially those without family support or access to traditional services.
In the Fargo–Moorhead area, where isolation, long winters, and limited grief resources intensify loss, this project brings care back into community at a time when it is deeply needed.Audrey HeilmanSacred Passage Community Grief Support Fundhttp://www.sacredpassagedoulas.comUnited StatesCass Clayhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/cassclaytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4881062026-04-14T00:00:00Z2026-05-11T17:22:19ZIpswich, MA – The Essex County Pet Pantry The Essex County Pet Pantry is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping pets with the families who love them. We serve residents throughout Essex County who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling to afford pet food and basic supplies. By providing dog and cat food, litter, bedding, and other essential items, we help prevent unnecessary pet surrenders and reduce the strain on local shelters. As a 100% volunteer-run organization, we rely on community support and partnerships to meet the growing need in our area. Our mission is rooted in compassion, dignity, and the belief that temporary hardship should never mean losing a beloved companion.Shayna Gatautis The Essex County Pet Pantry https://www.facebook.com/groups/1171463471861140/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBTUnited StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5103172026-04-14T00:00:00Z2026-04-14T22:49:56ZPeekskill, NY – Peekskill Regeneration Farm "Praise in the Garden"Once a year, the Peekskill community comes alive on the farm for Praise in the Garden, a celebration of food, art, and connection. Neighbors gather for a free farm-to-table meal while enjoying live performances from local artists, as well as talent from NYC, Upper Westchester, and beyond. From dance to open mic, the farm becomes a stage where creativity and community meet, creating unforgettable shared moments on the land. Serving over 100 people, this beloved event has become a cornerstone of both the farm and the Peekskill community.AMANDA ARMENTEROSPeekskill Regeneration Farm "Praise in the Garden"https://www.peekskillregenerationfarm.org/United StatesPeekskill, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/peekskilltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5351012026-04-14T00:00:00Z2026-04-15T19:03:19ZSan Francisco, CA – Murder HorsesFor several years, I've had recurring dreams where horses murder me. Not in horse ways. In human ways: poisonings, stabbings, being buried alive. The horses are always deliberate. Methodical. Dressed for the occasion.
Then I read Jung. It turns out that recurring dream figures who threaten the dreamer are symbols of transformation. The unconscious sends what you need to become to kill off who you've been. My horses aren't trying to end me. They're trying to change me.
For 15 years, they have stuck with me as psychopomps of change and progress, literal symbols of movement and speed. After all the growth, all the fear, the pain, the laughs, the tears, it feels only fitting to honor them by bringing them to life through pigment and canvas.
Murder Horses is a series of 22 oil paintings, one per documented dream. Each piece captures a specific horse, a specific method, a specific mood. The first completed painting, "The Gentleman," shows a horse in cityscape at night with a knife. How he wields it is anyone's guess but make no mistake he intends to use it! His eyes hold everything from wildness, madness, and incredulity at his own intentions.
The series is absurd, sincere, and deeply personal. I've performed spoken word companion pieces at open mics. I'm pursuing local gallery exhibitions. And yes, the paintings are funny...right up until they aren't.
This grant would let me stop splitting my focus between survival work and this series, and just paint the horses. Andrew DinkMurder HorsesUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5361932026-04-14T00:00:00Z2026-04-14T13:07:42ZSingapore – Hajime!port doesn't build character... it simply exposes your flaws and addressing them to improve takes intention. I'm on a mission to build a better version of myself! I started playing with the womens national Goalball team in 2015 when SG hosted the ASEAN Para Games(APG) for the 1st time and we were the pioneer team. We functioned around 1 key philosophy - Focus on what you can control - to overcome the challenges of learning to play a game competitively with 0 sight. After we got a Silver at the 2022 APG, our team retired. Although we were the 1st Para team to medal at any major games, its challenging to encourage people with visual impairment to play much less compete and we just don't have enough players. To grow the sport, I started coaching both able-bodied and other persons with visual impairment in mainstream and SPED schools and the community program where we promote unified games(persons of all abilities play together). I also use it as a platform to work with youth-at-risk and teach skills like teamwork and resilience. Competitively, I've since moved on to para Judo. After first trying it in 2018, I really enjoyed it but only started training in 2023. The transition was quite exciting since the two sports was so drastically different. Learning to adapt and be assertive have been the biggest takeaways so far. I'm the only para Judoka in SG, everyone I train and fight with is sighted. The 1st para athlete I fought was last year while trying to qualify for the 2025 APG. Since then, I've gotten a few more opportunities in our neighabouring countries. Currently, I'm attempting to qualify for the Asian Para Games after getting SG's 1st Silver for Para Judo at APG. There hasn't been any Para Judo program here, the adventure has been largely self funded from training camps to competitions and equipment. I am truly grateful that more support will be possible. However, there have and will be some costs that are not covered while trying to achieve my goal.Joan Hung Hui XinHajime!SingaporeSingaporehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/singaporetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5238112026-04-12T00:00:00Z2026-04-13T22:11:18ZSanta Cruz, CA – Starlight ArteSanaStarlight ArteSana is a ceramic painting workshop that brings families, students, and school community members together through a shared creative experience that is welcoming, collaborative, and accessible to all skill levels. By creating a relaxed, hands-on environment, participants have the opportunity to connect across ages and backgrounds—parents working alongside children, classmates supporting one another, and neighbors engaging in meaningful conversation. The act of making art together encourages patience, self-expression, and mutual encouragement, all of which foster kindness and compassion.
The workshop also creates space for participants to reflect on themes of care and community. As individuals design and paint their ceramic pieces, they are encouraged to share ideas, offer help, and celebrate each other’s work. This process builds confidence in young people while strengthening relationships between families and the school community. Finished pieces serve as lasting reminders of shared experience and connection.
Our intended audience is students and their families at Starlight Elementary, with an estimated reach of approximately 100 participants. The impact extends beyond the workshop itself, as participants bring their experiences home and into their broader networks, strengthening community ties throughout the County. By centering creativity, inclusion, and shared experience, this project contributes to strengthening connection and support for communities that are historically marginalized in Santa Cruz County.
Rebeca BurciagaStarlight ArteSanaUnited StatesSanta Cruz, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/santacruztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5296242026-04-12T00:00:00Z2026-04-12T21:55:57ZNewburgh, NY – The World of Thomas B. Pope ExhibitThe Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands is developing a yearlong exhibit at the Crawford House focusing on the life and work of Newburgh’s own Hudson River School painter, Thomas B. Pope (1833-1891). Inspired by Pope’s scenic paintings in the Crawford House collection and local private collections, as well as the 135th anniversary of his tragic death, the Historical Society plans to launch a contextual exhibit, “The World of Thomas B. Pope”, to explore the artist’s physical locality and daily life here in Newburgh, his stylistic participation in the Hudson River School of painting, and his engagement both with national events like the Civil War and local events like the Centennial of Peace celebrations in 1883. Our exhibit will offer a breadth of visual interest in displaying artifacts of late nineteenth-century Newburgh such as maps, personal effects, ephemera, analogous artwork and daily objects, in addition to featured paintings by Pope himself.
The mid- to late-1800s in Newburgh was an exciting time. This was an era of growth and change in our river city, and our exhibit will document those changes. The Newburgh Historical Society will use the life of Thomas Pope to explore the bustle of Newburgh’s industry, immigration and population growth, and the realization that nature itself was a precious resource that was rapidly being lost.
Through ongoing archival research by local historians and volunteers, new dimensions of Pope’s life have been uncovered - from his varied Newburgh businesses to his civic engagement as a journalist, fireman and theater set designer to his unfortunate death in a train accident in Beacon. Although earnest in his artistic output, he neither received wide acclaim as a painter in his lifetime nor has he had a large showing of his works posthumously. His is a story that has not yet been told and can truly only be told in Newburgh, as the man and the city grew up together.
Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the HighlandsThe World of Thomas B. Pope Exhibithttps://newburghhistoricalsociety.org/United StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5339812026-04-12T00:00:00Z2026-04-12T21:55:17ZNewburgh, NY – Great & Future Trees of NewburghAmazing trees surround us, yet we often pass them by, oblivious to all they do and focusing on them only after they’re cut down. The Great & Future Trees project is helping Newburghers walk through our city with a new awareness and new commitment to protecting precious and valuable trees. We are documenting, mapping, and advocating for preservation of Newburgh’s ancient trees while promoting a vibrant culture of urban tree planting and stewardship.
We respectfully request that Awesome Newburgh support our May 1st Great Trees Festival featuring:
- An exhibit of 24” x 8’ Great Trees banners with photos, historical, botanical and cultural notes and engagement with Environmental Justice Fellows who pioneered this work;
- Arborlogues (https://www.ofotheater.com/arborlogues.html) where community members are guided to perform and commune with a tree;
- Great Trees of Newburgh maps;
- Sign up for tree stewardship events and a petition for a comprehensive tree planting plan.
We want this inaugural event to become an annual festival that builds lasting impact through a stronger and more diverse network of residents advocating for citywide tree planting and more people actively protecting our trees. We will create lasting materials for community engagement through an art exhibit, walking tours, and an interactive online map.
Why trees? They are crucial to public health and climate adaptation as they sequester carbon and absorb air pollutants. Ancient trees store more carbon and sustain more biodiversity than young trees and serve as living monuments to human history and culture. Trees inspire awe, shade and calm our streets, support physical and mental health, and beautify our blocks. Trees are also cost-effective parts of our urban infrastructure. As summer heat and rain storms intensify, trees are essential, living systems that absorb and distribute stormwater, reduce burden on underground pipes and water treatment plants, and reduce both cooling and heating bills.Kathy LawrenceGreat & Future Trees of Newburghhttps://www.newburghparksconservancy.org/newburgh-treesUnited StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5235802026-04-09T00:00:00Z2026-05-13T21:52:41ZAnn Arbor, MI – Bubbles for Bike LanesBubbles for Bike Lanes is an ongoing performance project that explores the relationship - and contends with the tension - between car centric urban design and bike commuting in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The idea began as an absurdist protest: Attach a bubble machine to my bike and ride on East Stadium Boulevard in rush hour traffic, with a trail of bubbles behind me, until the City of Ann Arbor builds protected bike lanes. Bicyclists/bike lanes are often seen as a nuisance on our roadways by drivers, instead of a valid part of our overall transportation system. I use bubbles to flip this dynamic. Bubbles ask: How could our commutes be not just safe but also fun, joyful, even silly? And why do we accept anything less from our built environment?
By bringing bubbles to unexpected locations, like a traffic-filled 5 lane road, brave bubble riders disrupt otherwise mundane commutes. The bicycle (and bubble machine) become a source of whimsical delight to drivers, children in carseats, pedestrians and other bike riders. The bubbles make the bike riders more visible in a system that would prefer not to share the road.
The project is part critical mass, part interactive street performance, and part protest against the car centric design. But more important than that, it creates moments of community joy everywhere we ride. People of all ages yell "BUBBLES!" when they spot a Bubble Ride. When I park my bike and leave the bubble machine on, kids flock to it. People ask me, "Are you the bubble lady?!"
There is potential for scaling this project. Last summer I put a Library Lawn Code on my Bubble Bike and road it around town. By August the code "BUBBLE RIDE" had over 1300 entries. I am in the process of developing my own bubble machine, designed specifically for bikes. I have potential funding for that project already.
I've hosted 5 Bubble Rides so far with more planned for 2026's warmer months. My goal is to host a monthly bubble ride (or more!) from April - October.
Hannah Stanton-GockelBubbles for Bike Laneshttps://sites.google.com/umich.edu/bubblesforbikelanes/homeUnited StatesAnn Arbor, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ann-arbortag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5075802026-04-08T00:00:00Z2026-04-09T00:21:33ZBaltimore, MD – Revolutionary Writer's Poetry Festival The Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival (May 15–17, Baltimore City) is a three-day, statewide literary convening created and hosted by me in my capacity as Poet Laureate of Maryland. This festival is my official creative project as Laureate and is currently being fully funded through my personal investment, reflecting both my commitment to Maryland’s literary community and the urgent need for sustained support of poets across the state.
The festival is designed as an intergenerational, cross-regional platform centering craft, performance, publishing, and economic sustainability for poets. Day One launches at The Voxel with a Bootcamp Poets Meet Up and Orientation, followed by a ticketed one-woman show, Old Bayby by Unique the Word, and The Underground Slam hosted by Black Chakra. This opening evening establishes both professional rigor and community celebration.
Days Two and Three take place at Baltimore Unity Hall and expand into a statewide learning laboratory. Workshops include The Elements, The Art of Editing, Mastering Performance, Writing for Social Justice, Writing with Humor, Writing for Healing, Writing for the Stage, Mastering the Page, The Myth of Writer’s Block, and Writing Without Apologies. Panels such as Making Money with Poetry, Perform for Feedback, and A Conversation with Poet Laureates directly address sustainability and professional pathways. Evening programming includes the Queens of Poetry Showcase, Networking Open Mic, Tag Team Slam, Film Screening, and community After Party.
The Revolutionary Writers Poetry Festival fills a critical gap in Maryland’s literary ecosystem. While readings are common, comprehensive craft-to-career festivals led by a sitting Poet Laureate are rare. This initiative connects emerging and established writers, provides professional development, and strengthens statewide networks. It prioritizes accessibility, offering multiple open-to-all sessions and community-centered events.
"Lady" Brion GillRevolutionary Writer's Poetry Festival http://revolutionarypoetry.comUnited StatesBaltimore, MDhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/baltimoretag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5106112026-04-06T00:00:00Z2026-04-07T00:58:00ZOn the Water – Saltwater CinemaWe are creating a "Saltwater Cinema" by purchasing a portable waterproof projector and a foldable screen to host outdoor movie nights at the Ardyaloon Trochus Hatchery.
Ardyaloon is a remote Bardi Jawi community sitting right on the edge of the Sunday Straits in Northwest Australia, where we experience some of the largest tidal ranges in the world. Lives revolve around the water, but we lack social spaces where families can gather safely after dark to connect and celebrate stories.
By setting up a cinema at the Hatchery—the heart of our community’s relationship with the sea—we will transform a working aquaculture site into a magical, moonlit theatre. We plan to screen everything from locally made documentaries about Bardi Jawi sea-country to family favorites. Families will be able to sit on the beach or even watch from their dinghies anchored just offshore during high tide. It’s about bringing "awesome" to a place that is often isolated, using the backdrop of the Kimberley stars and the sound of the ocean to create a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.John ReudaveySaltwater CinemaWorldwideOn the Waterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/onthewatertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3682832026-04-01T00:00:00Z2026-04-21T13:55:14ZNewcastle – The Good News Hunter In a world where negative news headlines are constant and doom scrolling through click bait and 'hot takes' is endless, I am passionate about my local media initiative: The Good News Hunter.
This project will begin as an Instagram-first good news platform, dedicated to sharing uplifting, inspiring, meaningful and joyful stories about the people, places, and projects that make Newcastle and the Hunter region such a great place to live.
My motivation for starting The Good News Hunter came after experiencing my own difficult chapter when I was evacuated from my home following a recent landslip in the May 2025 floods.
It reminded me how important optimism, resilience, and community truly are.
Unlike traditional media, The Good News Hunter will not report on crime or controversy.
Instead, it will spotlight local kindness, innovation, environmental wins, cultural events, curiosities and personal triumphs. I want it to be an Instagram space where people can come to scroll and feel safe, happy and positive about their local area.
Having worked as a journalist for many years across national and local media outlets I know first hand what it is like to report on and share bad news stories.
I have seen how divisive news can be and while I loved to tell people’s stories, I was lost in writing content that was making people feel angry, sad or dissatisfied.
I want The Good News Hunter to be part of the transformative journalism movement and use storytelling for good.
I also want to tap into my local community and platform the people, businesses and initiatives that are doing great work and are not getting their message shared by traditional media.
I believe I can grow this platform to reach thousands of local people and contribute to a healthy, happy community. I also believe The Good News Hunter has the potential to grow beyond Instagram to a community in its own right with a podcast, website and events.
Laura JackelThe Good News Hunter https://goodnewshunter.com/AustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5128392026-04-01T00:00:00Z2026-04-06T10:01:06ZLower Hunter – Supporting Learning Through PlayOur community-based, not-for-profit preschool has been educating and caring for local children since 1963, proudly supporting families in our community for over 60 years. Managed by the community for the community, all fees and funding are reinvested directly back into our services to support children’s learning, wellbeing, and development.
We are seeking support through this microgrant to replenish and update toys, play materials, and learning resources used across our preschool environment. High-quality play materials are essential in early childhood education, as children learn best through hands-on experiences, exploration, creativity, and play.
Over time, frequently used resources become worn, incomplete, or no longer meet the needs of the children in our care. Updating these materials ensures children continue to have access to safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate resources that support their learning and development.
New resources will strengthen our flexible learning environments and support our curriculum focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Materials such as dramatic play items, construction resources, sensory materials, fine motor activities, and open-ended learning tools help children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, collaboration, and confidence.
Our service is committed to providing high-quality early childhood education through qualified teachers and educators, and we continually strive to operate above required staff ratios to best support children’s individual learning and development. We cater for a wide range of ages from birth through to school entry, supporting children during the most important years of their development.
Funding will allow us to continue creating rich, engaging learning environments where children feel supported to explore, learn, and thrive.MeganSupporting Learning Through Playhttps://www.cmcc.nsw.edu.au/AustraliaLower Hunterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/lowerhuntertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5259622026-04-01T00:00:00Z2026-04-03T22:11:07ZSydney – Appin Public School Guitar ClubAppin Public School has launched a weekly Guitar Club that has taken off in a way none of us expected. What began as a small lunchtime activity has grown into a vibrant, inclusive space where students from all backgrounds come together to learn, create, and express themselves through music.
The club has become so popular that we now have more students wanting to participate than we have instruments available. Right now, students are sharing guitars, waiting for turns, or missing out entirely. With a $1,000 Awesome Foundation grant, we can purchase more guitars to ensure every child who wants to learn can join in.
This project gives our students a creative outlet that builds confidence, belonging, and joy. Music is a universal connector — and this club is already transforming lunchtimes into something magical.
This project is inclusive, open to students of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds participate. No fees, no barriers, no experience required.
It fills a gap - our P&C is volunteer‑run and relies solely on fundraising and donations. There is no school budget for musical instruments. Without external support, we simply cannot meet demand.
This project builds community as older students mentor younger ones, friendships form across year groups, and the club has become a safe, positive space for kids who may not connect with traditional sports or activities.
Finally, it’s sustainable: Guitars last for years. This one‑off investment will support hundreds of students over time.
It sparks creativity: Students are already writing simple riffs, performing for peers, and discovering talents they didn’t know they had.Jodie HazellAppin Public School Guitar Clubhttps://appin-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5149032026-04-01T00:00:00Z2026-04-02T07:48:06ZGlasgow – I'll Scratch YoursOur awesome project is called I’ll Scratch Yours, a scratch night of deliciously fresh new writing & performance. We’re serving you piping hot new work, fresh out of Glasgow’s theatrical oven.
But, what is a scratch night? In theatre, a “scratch” performance is where brand new work is presented unfinished, unpolished and with little or no budget, and is meeting an audience for the first time.
Our event consists of 6 scratch performances, ranging from theatre to music, from performance art to poetry, ending with our signature touch… a mystery special guest! Previous special guest have included a magician and stand up comic, always ending the night on a high!
But we are more than just a great night at the theatre. I’ll Scratch Yours was created to give a platform to underrepresented voices and to those who face barriers in getting their work seen. We prioritise underrepresented voices, backgrounds and genders, creating opportunity and access. For both artists and audiences, theatre and culture is becoming increasingly inaccessible. We are on mission to change that.
Since 2024, we have successfully produced 3 sold-out events in Glasgow & the response has been incredible. There is a huge appetite for this kind of night, from artists eager to test bold new ideas and from audiences who want to experience a slice of something new and unpolished.
Scratch nights are exciting, surprising & full of possibility. I’ll Scratch Yours is a night where you can be entertained, challenged and included. A place where new ideas take their very first breath in front of a live audience. But above all, they are a fun, vibrant and vital part of the Glasgow community.
Got the itch to see some fresh, exciting new work? Let us scratch it.
FRANCESCA CLARE HESSI'll Scratch Yourshttps://www.instagram.com/illscratchyours_/United KingdomGlasgowhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/glasgowtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4789372026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-05-04T23:27:08ZOttawa – Autism Swim Program The latest Awesome Ottawa award goes to Kate Saunders to support an autism swim program at Gloucester High School.
“Children with autism are more likely to drown than the general population,” says Kate, “as water attraction and wandering are common, leading to fatal incidents in pools, ponds, and lakes – especially for young boys.”
“Our swim program provides inclusive, adaptive swimming opportunities, designed specifically for our students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program focuses on water safety, skill development, confidence-building, and sensory regulation in a supportive and structured environment.”
“Beyond teaching swimming skills,” continues Kate, “the program supports physical health, emotional regulation, and social development. Swimming provides calming sensory input, improves motor coordination, and builds independence. Our goal is to remove barriers to aquatic participation while promoting lifelong water safety, self-confidence, and enjoyment of physical activity.”
“Our goal for our students when they graduate at age 21 is for them to be as functionally independent community members as possible, and swimming is one of their favourite community activities. We go once a week, every Tuesday afternoon. They love playing in the water and practicing their swimming skills.”
Kate is a teacher at Gloucester High School. “I am passionate about increasing access to water safety and swim instruction for individuals with autism, and believe that every student deserves the opportunity to feel confident, capable, and safe in the water,” she says. “They deserve a chance to just play and be kids. The joy on their faces makes it all worth it.”Kate SaundersAutism Swim Program CanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5278292026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-04-18T15:41:20ZToronto – PETAScaleMicroplastic pollution is one of Toronto’s most urgent yet invisible environmental threats, accumulating across waterways, soils, and even drinking systems. To confront this, our student team is developing a breakthrough biotechnology platform that discovers and engineers enzymes capable of breaking down PET (polyethylene terephthalate) microplastics in real‑world environments and not just idealized lab conditions.
Working with the RNAlab at the University of Toronto, we created PETAdex, now the world’s largest open‑source database of plastic‑degrading enzymes. Before our work, only ~2,000 such enzymes were known globally. Using planetary‑scale genome assembly (LOGAN), we uncovered 215.7 million candidate enzymes - a 100,000‑fold expansion of the known landscape. PETAdex gives researchers unprecedented visibility into global enzymatic diversity and dramatically accelerates machine‑learning‑driven enzyme discovery.
From this resource, we identified two enzymes that degrade PET microplastics faster than FAST‑PETase, the current industry benchmark. Our engineered enzymes generate 4× more terephthalic acid (TPA), indicating faster and more complete PET depolymerization.
Our goal is to build a scalable platform capable of discovering and optimizing enzymes for any environment, wastewater plants, rivers, lakes, and eventually for all major microplastics (PE, PP, PS). This project positions Toronto as a leader in sustainable biotechnology and lays the foundation for a viable solution to complete plastics disposal, eliminating environmental toxicity and advancing a circular bioeconomy.
This grant will help us prototype pioreactors and purchase wet‑lab reagents to test enzyme performance under real‑world conditions. With community support, we can transform Toronto into an advanced bioengineering hub for next‑generation environmental solutions.
This project would not have been made possible without the RNAlab at U of T, the rest of the Logan Consortium, and the iGEM Toronto team.Anthony DinglasanPETAScalehttps://petadex.net/CanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5159232026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-04-15T13:17:39ZOttawa – Survival BackpackThe latest Awesome Ottawa award goes to Liam Callaghan to support a survival backpack rental service for the city.
“[Aid and Assist] (https://aidandassist.ca/)’s Borrow a First Aid Kit service provides first aid kit rentals to anyone in Ottawa,” says Liam. “For $25, we deliver a fully stocked kit, retrieve it up to 30 days later, and don’t charge for the first $5 of used supplies. The service is designed for people going on day trips or longer adventures, and for community groups holding larger events once or twice a year that may not have the resources, capacity, or desire to maintain their own comprehensive first aid kits.”
“We currently offer three kit types,” continues Liam, “the Daypack, Destination, and Event kits. The Survival Backpack will expand on our service to add a comprehensive backpack kit designed to provide both emergency medical supplies and wilderness survival gear. It will increase emergency preparedness during long-distance excursions by providing the resources for a small group to persevere through a wilderness emergency for a minimum of 72 hours.”
“The backpack,” says Liam, “will include an emergency radio and flashlight, emergency rations, expandable water containers, water purification tablets, emergency blankets and sleeping bags, waterproof and windproof matches, a compass, parachute cord, a tourniquet, a splint, glowsticks, and more. It will also only cost $25 to borrow.”
By day, Liam is a policy analyst with the RCMP. He and his team used to volunteer and work at the Carleton University Student’s Association, where they pioneered the Borrow a First Aid Kit service for Carleton University students. “Bringing that success to the greater Ottawa area was a clear first step to achieving our mission,” he says.Liam CallaghanSurvival Backpackhttps://aidandassist.ca/CanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5075832026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-04-09T14:32:20ZNew York City, NY – Public Woodcarving in Prospect ParkOur March grant was awarded to Public Woodcarving in Prospect Park, a free, pop-up woodcarving and hand-tool woodworking demo series in Prospect Park from artist Arden Carlson. The project invites passersby to sit down, pick up a gouge, and try carving for themselves.
_In a city that moves fast and runs digital, I want to create a small, analog interruption. Using simple carving blocks and basic tools, I’ll demonstrate safe hand-carving techniques and guide participants through making small sculptural forms — spoons, abstract shapes, or pocket-sized objects._
_This project uses the AwesomeNYC grant to purchase hand tools and materials for free, community-based woodcarving events. The goal is to share foundational hand-tool skills in an accessible, low-pressure environment, offering folks a direct, tactile relationship to making._
_At its core, the project is about craft, curiosity, and the importance of shared, communal practice. Working with hand tools creates space for slowness and attention — qualities that are often missing from daily life. By hosting these events, I hope to lower barriers to woodworking and create a space for exploration._
_Craft has historically been a way knowledge is passed between people. This project continues that lineage, centering skill-sharing, connection, and the quiet value of making something together._
* [Follow Arden on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ardn_cloud/)
* Check out [ardencarlson.com](https://ardencarlson.com)Arden CarlsonPublic Woodcarving in Prospect Parkhttps://ardencarlson.comUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5124332026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-03-31T17:37:19ZDisability – Solar Solutions for Deaf EmpowermentDeaftronics is pioneering solar‑powered hearing aids to transform healthcare inclusion for Deaf communities across Africa. In many regions, access to affordable, reliable hearing technology is limited, and batteries are costly or unavailable. This creates barriers to education, employment, and social participation. Our innovation harnesses renewable energy to break those barriers.We design and manufacture solar‑powered hearing aids that are durable, affordable, and tailored to local needs. Each device comes with a solar‑charging unit, eliminating dependence on expensive disposable batteries. By combining engineering with community empowerment, we ensure that Deaf individuals are not only recipients of technology but leaders in shaping solutions.
Our impact extends beyond hearing aids. We train Deaf technicians to assemble and maintain devices, creating sustainable jobs and building local expertise. This model empowers communities, reduces reliance on imports, and fosters pride in self‑sufficiency. To date, Deaftronics has reached thousands of people, proving that innovation can be both inclusive and sustainable.
With support from Awesome Disability, we will expand outreach workshops, distribute solar‑powered hearing aids to underserved areas, and strengthen training programs for Deaf youth. A $1000 grant will help us purchase materials for assembly kits, cover logistics for community demonstrations, and amplify awareness campaigns. This seed funding will catalyze broader partnerships and scale our mission.
Our project embodies the spirit of “awesome”: simple yet transformative, rooted in lived experience, and designed to spread joy, independence, and opportunity. By lighting up ears with solar energy, we are lighting up futures.
**What our grantee is saying:** “Receiving this award is both an honor and a catalyst. It affirms the importance of inclusive innovation and gives Deaftronics the momentum to expand access to solar-powered hearing aids and hospital accessibility tools. With this support, we can continue empowering Deaf communities and ensuring dignity through technology.”
Sarah MolemaSolar Solutions for Deaf Empowermenthttps://deaftronics.wordpress.com/WorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5244012026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-03-31T13:55:32ZConservation and Climate – Restoring Rainforest and Communities in MadagascarMadagascar stands at the front lines of both biodiversity loss and climate change impacts, harboring some of the world's most endangered species in its last remaining 5% of standing rainforest. With an average annual household income of less than $100, the people of southern Madagascar are equally endangered, enduring the first drought and famine officially attributed to climate change in 2021-2023. In a land wracked by wildfires every year, there is a desperate need to restore Madagascar's forests, as quickly and efficiently as possible, before time runs out for millions of people and countless species, including every lemur species on Earth.
It is here that The Phoenix Conservancy has developed a successful, innovative approach to restoring rainforest: Foxhole Forests. Within a circular firebreak, dense plantings of fast-growing tree seeds are sheltered from fires, creating new islands of forest without creating a fuel ladder for fire to climb from grass into standing forest canopies.
Better still, this approach is inherently modular and scalable, allowing us to directly provide economic benefits to community members in multiple ways throughout the restoration process by:
-Directly purchasing seeds collected locally from individuals for use in restoration
-Creating thousands of temporary jobs planting rainforest and building firebreaks
-Generating multiple social enterprise commodities through strategic species use, including marula oil and voatsiperifery peppercorns
-Increasing crop yields in areas surrounding the forest, as regenerating forest retains increased water on the landscape
To date, the project has directly helped more than 6,000 individuals, who have directly informed our organization that they were able to survive recent famines only because of income earned planting their own rainforests. The iconic Ring-tailed Lemurs of Madagascar are found in Ivohiboro, and are benefitting from this regenerating forest alongside its people.Chris DukeRestoring Rainforest and Communities in Madagascarhttps://www.phoenixconservancy.org/madagascarWorldwideConservation and Climatehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/conservationandclimatetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5272082026-03-31T00:00:00Z2026-05-11T15:42:51ZSan Antonio, TX – Find Your Roots, Claim Your StoryWe are launching “Find Your Roots, Claim Your Story,” a community-driven initiative by the San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants (SAMID) to identify, reconnect, and uplift descendants of the Native American communities of the San Antonio Missions—many of whom are unaware of their heritage.
Like many others, our founders only discovered their ancestry through research. This project aims to make that journey accessible to others by creating a public-facing outreach campaign and a digital registry where individuals can share family history and begin tracing their lineage.
In collaboration with universities across San Antonio, we are building a multi-institutional effort that combines community knowledge, academic research, and public engagement. Participants will access a simple intake form (via QR code and online platform) to begin documenting their stories, which will contribute to a growing database of descendants and historical connections.
This initiative is about more than genealogy—it is about restoring visibility, identity, and voice to a living community whose presence has often been overlooked. By helping people uncover their roots, we empower them to reclaim their stories and better understand their place in the history and future of San Antonio.
Nehemias Moreno Find Your Roots, Claim Your Storyhttp://samidtx.orgUnited StatesSan Antonio, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/sanantoniotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5194382026-03-29T00:00:00Z2026-04-08T21:42:29ZState College, PA – State of the Story Media & Communications In 2011, four Centre County women agreed we love to tell and listen to stories. True stories from lived experiences. We believed lots of other locals would also enjoy gathering to share stories and delight in hearing those of friends and neighbors. So we founded State of the Story (SOTS).
Our instincts were right on. In the years since, more than 600 stories, honed in our estimated 250 workshops have been told live by almost 300 story tellers to over 3,000 audience members attending some 90 shows – all here in Centre County.
Driven by requests, we now also offer workshops to local entities like churches, OLLI, children's and arts groups. Now we have the happy problem of how to accommodate Centre County’s growing appetite for stories as well as training requests from local organizations and from people in other communities seeking our help in launching their own SOTS-like enterprises. There are thousands more stories and tellers waiting here in our community.
While we’ve taught for the Girl Scouts, St. Andrews Church, the Central PA Theatre and Dance Festival and Penn State’s OLLI, we’ve had to turn down other opportunities due to the capacity of the four member leadership team and our informal network of SOTS alums who can also teach our methods.
Until now, no business model was necessary. Modest expenses were shouldered by the four member leadership team.
That’s changing. In terms of revenue from ticket sales, 100% of proceeds are returned to the venue (currently 3Dots, formerly Webster’s and The State Theatre). As for expenses, we now have more significant expenses around publicity, upskilling, workshop and training materials and a self-published manual. With growth, we will need further support for operations.Anne HoagState of the Story Media & Communications https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638207093125754United StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5260542026-03-29T00:00:00Z2026-03-26T12:29:50ZKuala Lumpur – Dog shelter volunteer*DOG SHELTER VOLUNTEER*
📆 29 MARCH (SUNDAY)
⏰ 10AM - 1PM
📍HULU LANGAT
Use Waze to drive to Hulu Langat: https://waze.com/ul/hw283v2j4e
ACTIVITIES :
1. Feed & Bath doggos
2. Gotong-Royong abit
3. Simple Build Fence WorkSnow wongDog shelter volunteerMalaysiaKuala Lumpurhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/kualalumpurtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5159072026-03-27T00:00:00Z2026-03-23T22:35:53ZOrlando, FL – Sponsoring Creative Mornings to promote AwesomeCreativeMornings/Orlando is a FREE monthly breakfast lecture series based on the two core principles that everyone is creative and everyone is welcome. Each event includes a 30-minute lecture with Q&A and lots of coffee!
Orlando is one of over 250 chapters around the world meeting each month.
I was at the last Creative Morning, where Pat Greene was the speaker. The audience is generally made up of between 30 and 60 local creative people in all industries and levels of expertise, from recent college grads to seasoned veterans.
The organizer is Victor Davila, assisted by a team of volunteers. Each presentation is filmed and posted online. Victor thanked the sponsor of the breakfast (donuts and coffee) at the beginning and the end of the presentation.
It occurred to me that the Awesome Foundation could give a grant to sponsor breakfast. I asked Victor about it and he said breakfast costs between $100 and $200 per event (depending on expected attendance), which means a $1000 grant could sponsor between 5 and 10 monthly breakfast meetings.
Victor said that a representative from the AF could get up and say a few words about the org, which I feel would be a great way to get some new and more qualified applications.
It's a really great organization, and much like the AF, the Creative Mornings org is a worldwide collection of loosely-affiliated chapters who have a common goal and theme. Jim HobartSponsoring Creative Mornings to promote Awesomehttps://creativemornings.com/cities/orl/aboutUnited StatesOrlando, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/orlandotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5073142026-03-26T00:00:00Z2026-04-02T06:27:24ZYerevan – MamaForum 2026Մայրն անսահման ազդեցիկ է․ դժվար է թերագնահատել նրա դերը յուրաքանչյուր անհատի կայացման հարցում։ Ժամանակն է գիտակցել այդ պատասխանատվություննը ու վերգտնել միասնականության ուժը։
Ներկայացնում ենք ամենաազդեցիկ կանանց առաջին մասնագիտական համաժողովը՝ ՄամաԺողովը։
Կստեղծվի յուրահատուկ բովանդակությամբ և հագեցվածությամբ յուրահատուկ օր՝ թեմատիկ զրույցներ, աշխատարաններ, նոր կապեր և փորձի փոխանակում համախոհների հետ։
ՄամաՖորումի թիմը ջանք և եռանդ չի խնայելու, որպեսզի ամենազբաղված, ամենաանգնահատելի մասնագետները՝ մայրերը, անցկացնեն հետաքրքիր, օգտակար և թևեր տվող անմոռանալի օր։
Մեր մասին
ՄամաՖորումը գիտակից մայրերի փոխգործակցության և ինքնազարգացման կենտրոն է՝ միտված ներդաշնակ մայրության մշակույթի ձևավորմանը, կանանց արարչական ներուժի յուրացմանը և մայրական որակների տարածմանը։ Մենք հավատացած ենք, որ գիտելիքով, փորձով և համախոհներով «լիցքավորված» մայրերը առողջ և ամուր հասարակության հիմնասյունն են։MamaForum BetaMamaForum 2026ArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5027572026-03-26T00:00:00Z2026-03-27T02:39:56ZGloucester, MA – McPherson Park Joy Club's Be Our GuestThis event honors dedicated family members who provide daily care for their loved ones, allowing them to remain in our community. Many of these caretakers come after getting their families off to school but before they themselves are off to work. We also want to recognize our four aides who assist residents with essential tasks like laundry, shopping, and cleaning. We also want to recognize our four aides who assist residents with essential tasks like laundry, shopping, and cleaning. This event honors dedicated family members who provide daily care for their loved ones, allowing them to remain in our community. Regina OrileyMcPherson Park Joy Club's Be Our GuestUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4843112026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-03-27T19:48:41ZSouth Bend, IN – The Book CottageThe Book Cottage is an independent book shop on wheels. As a traveling book merchant I serve my customers out of a Japanese Kei truck. I sell new and used books. Along with logo merch, blind date with a book packages, crystals, and crochet bookmarks. I also have hand sewn star and mushroom plushies. Handmade bear trinkets. The Book Cottage travels to local events to encourage readers to pick up more books. As well as encouraging non-readers to start reading and fall in love with stories. I picked a Japanese kei truck to catch people's eyes and influence them to stop and look at books. I aspire to encourage young children, teens, and adults to change their lives with reading,
ivy valentinyThe Book CottageUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4767182026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-03-27T19:50:43ZSouth Bend, IN – Round the Bend Now and ThenMy awesome project is my passion: Sharing and celebrating the history of South Bend and Mishawaka. I do this through my podcast, Round the Bend Now and Then, and a variety of social media channels. On the podcast, I talk with local leaders, historians, and community members to tell our area’s story. On social media, I share short stories that pair historic images with present-day photos to bring local history to life.
My awesome goal for 2026 is to have a podcast released consistently every two weeks. Round the Bend Now and Then will still be a long-form, interview-based podcast, with conversations featuring people connected to South Bend and Mishawaka. Alongside those episodes, my awesome goal is to also share Round the Bend: A Short Story - Shorter, narrated episodes where I tell a local story myself, focused on a single moment, place, or person from our past. Same focus, just another way of telling it. The goal is to keep the episodes around 10 minutes.
A South Bend Awesome Fund grant will directly support community history content and outreach that makes our city even more awesome, strengthening civic connection, elevating local voices, and preserving our shared cultural memory.Matt EmeryRound the Bend Now and Thenhttps://round-the-bend-now-and-then.captivate.fm/episodesUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5194312026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-03-27T19:45:36ZSouth Bend, IN – Manny’s World Cup Patio: South Bend Fan ZoneDuring the FIFA World Cup, we will transform the outdoor patio at Manny’s into a community-focused “World Cup Fan Zone” for South Bend.
The Manny’s World Cup Patio will be a welcoming space where people from all backgrounds can gather to experience the world’s most popular sporting event together. We will show matches outdoors on a large screen and create an immersive, festival-like atmosphere inspired by the fan zones seen in cities around the world.
The patio will be visually transformed with international flags hung from the building and overhead café lights, creating a canopy that celebrates the many cultures represented in our community. We also plan to host a bracket-style contest that allows guests to engage with the tournament and follow along throughout its duration, along with select themed match days highlighting different countries and soccer traditions.
South Bend is home to a growing and diverse international population, including many students and families who follow the World Cup passionately. This project creates a space where those communities, and the broader public, can come together, connect, and celebrate global culture through sport.
The fan zone will be open to the public with no cover charge, making it an accessible and inviting environment for anyone who wants to participate. While food and beverage will be available for purchase, no ticket is required to attend.
Karen McGuireManny’s World Cup Patio: South Bend Fan ZoneUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3457462026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-03-26T10:40:58ZGeorgetown, MA – Georgetown Mass Memories Road ShowUMass Boston does "road shows" to create digital archives for communities in Massachusetts. They haven't been to Georgetown yet! I'm on the Historical Commission, and I think it would be great to do this road show for Georgetown.
Here's the description from the UMass Boston web site:
The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide, event-based participatory archiving program that documents people, places, and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. Archivists and public historians in University Archives and Special Collections in the Joseph P. Healey Library at UMass Boston collaborate with local planning teams and volunteers to organize free public events where individuals bring photographs to be copied and included in a digital archive. Contributors are invited to describe the photographs in their own words. In addition, they may choose to share “the story behind the photos” on video, have their own “keepsake photo” taken, receive advice on caring for their family photos, and learn from one another about the history of their community.
Since its launch in 2004, the Mass. Memories Road Show has digitized more than 13,000 photographs and stories from across the state, creating an educational resource of primary sources for future generations.
See the Mass Memories web page: https://blogs.umb.edu/massmemories/
Here is the digital archive for the Amesbury MM road show: https://openarchives.umb.edu/digital/collection/p15774coll6/search/searchterm/Amesbury%20Mass.%20Memories%20Road%20Show/mode/exactAmy SmithGeorgetown Mass Memories Road Showhttps://openarchives.umb.edu/digital/collection/p15774coll6United StatesGeorgetown, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/georgetowntag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4777972026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-03-26T01:19:52ZHamilton-Wenham, MA – Repurpose Food Wastes initiativeKinship Farm’s Grow Food for Good (GFG) program empowers families, children, and community neighbors in Hamilton-Wenham to grow food and eggs that are donated through the Acord Food Pantry to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. What began as a small act of generosity has grown into a community-driven effort rooted in education, environmental stewardship, and service.
GFG invites people of all ages to participate in growing something meaningful—through gardening, raising chicks, caring for laying hens, and helping with harvest and distribution. Participants learn where food comes from, how to care for the land, and how small, collective actions can make a real difference close to home.
We are expanding GFG through a new partnership with the Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center and Acord to repurpose food waste from Acord to feed animals at the School. Cuvilly has also joined GFG as an egg donor, increasing the supply of fresh, nutritious food shared with the community. In addition, Kinship Farm will support Cuvilly’s community garden efforts, helping them to grow produce on site that will be shared locally. Together, these partnerships expand access to locally grown food and strengthen food distribution through Acord.
As interest grows, so does impact. Currently, eight households participate as egg donors. In the past year alone, GFG donated more than 4,262 eggs, installed 10 raised garden beds at group homes, feed the group homes directly from their gardens, and generated over 300 pounds of extra fresh produce for local neighbors in need through Acord.
Kinship Farm and GFG is about more than food, we are about cultivating good through generosity, resilience, and belonging. We believe food grown with intention and shared with love makes Hamilton-Wenham stronger, kinder, and more Awesome-r.
Thank you for considering to help us in expanding our project and for championing grassroots ideas that help our community thrive.Wendy RobertsRepurpose Food Wastes initiativehttps://kinshipfarm.org/pages/grow-food-for-goodUnited StatesHamilton-Wenham, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/hamilton-wenhamtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/5092972026-03-25T00:00:00Z2026-04-05T14:41:49ZRhode Island – Audio GeographyAFRI is proud to support Audio Geography, a vinyl record and cassette tape production service that helps independent musicians and artists create physical media by producing affordable, small run orders and customization.
Traditional record pressing requires high minimum orders and longer wait times, while Audio Geography has no minimum order. Newer artists, hobbyists, and gift givers alike benefit from having a local, craft-based vinyl producer right here in Rhode Island.Tyler BissonAudio Geographyhttp://www.audiogeography.comUnited StatesRhode Islandhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/fr/chapters/rhodeisland