tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/nl/projects?page=7Awesome Foundation - Projecten2026-02-24T14:25:25Ztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4692332026-02-19T00:00:00Z2026-02-24T14:25:25ZKingston – K is for Kingston, K is for Katarokwi"K is for Kingston, K is for Katarokwi" is the tentative title of a children's ABC book highlighting what makes this place special and featuring the work of local artists.
The book will highlight an authentic Kingston experience that goes beyond well-known landmarks. Each letter of the alphabet will stand for a particular Kingston physical location (ex. “W is for Wolfe Island”), concept (ex. “M is for Meeting Place,” referencing the meaning of “Katarokwi” as the meeting of the three waterways), event or activity (ex. “F is for Film”), local animal or plant (ex. C is for Crows) or other piece of Kingston insignia (ex. “H is for Hate has No Home Here”). These are examples only - a final list of words will be generated following a community engagement process.
Each page will be illustrated by a local Kingston artist (approx 13 artists total; 2 illustrations per artist). Art will layer additional meaning and significance to each word (ex. “F is for Film” might include illustrations that evoke The Screening Room, KCFF, or ReelOut)
The final list of artists will be generated once the word list is finalized; however, the following artists have confirmed interest pending confirmation of final details: Lee Stewart, Abby Nowakowski, Jill Glatt, Hill Werth, and Bree Rappaport. We hope to include the work of 13 artists total, with each artist illustrating 2 letters. The book will be designed by local designer Vincent Perez (Everlovin’ Press) and coordinated by me.
A community engagement process will be used to brainstorm the words used to ensure that the project reflects a diversity of Kingston experiences.
Pending final budget, we currently plan on printing as an 8 inch by 8 inch full-colour 32-page board book.
The project has received $8500 in support from the City of Kingston Arts Fund. Given the high costs involved (due to the large number of artists) and limited market, I am working to secure support from other sources.Jane KirbyK is for Kingston, K is for KatarokwiCanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4587512026-02-18T00:00:00Z2026-03-18T22:53:34ZSan Antonio, TX – braveONE SA Warrior BoxesbraveONE is an in-person mentorship program for children and teens living with Type 1 Diabetes. We match each child with a carefully screened adult mentor who also lives with T1D, so kids have someone in their corner who truly understands their daily reality. Our project focuses on building real connection through simple, joyful outings like getting ice cream, visiting a park, or creating art together. This grant would allow us to build and distribute Warrior Boxes to newly diagnosed families while hosting a community pick-up day where families can meet, connect, and learn about our free mentorship program. While the boxes provide comfort and encouragement, the bigger impact is expanding braveONE into new communities and helping families realize they are not alone and that long-term support exists beyond diagnosis.Brandi PillowbraveONE SA Warrior Boxeshttps://braveone.org/United StatesSan Antonio, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sanantoniotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4853312026-02-16T00:00:00Z2026-02-17T15:47:49ZPoughkeepsie, NY – LBC Presents: A Prom for EveryoneLeaders By Choice (LBC), through our Tour De Force Teens program, is producing The Prom in Poughkeepsie, NY — a musical centered on activism, allyship, and radical acceptance. The show was intentionally chosen for its timely message: that everyone deserves to be celebrated, especially young people navigating identity and belonging.
In alignment with the themes of the musical, we are proposing a community-centered event: a Queer Prom for adults in Poughkeepsie. This event will serve as a joyful, affirming space for LGBTQ+ adults and allies — including those who may not have felt safe or accepted attending their own prom.
The evening will feature performances by local queer artists, a potential drag showcase, and partnerships with local LGBTQ+ and allied organizations. In addition to celebration, we will host a clothing swap and donation component to encourage accessibility, sustainability, and community care.
This project is not designed as a fundraiser for LBC. Instead, it is an offering to the city — an opportunity to extend the message of The Prom beyond the stage and into lived community action. By pairing youth theatre with an intergenerational community event, we aim to foster connection, visibility, and belonging in Poughkeepsie.
We’re not just putting on a show — we’re creating a space where Poughkeepsie can practice radical joy, visible love, and unapologetic belonging.Najah Muhammad LBC Presents: A Prom for Everyonehttp://www.leadersbychoicelbc.comUnited StatesPoughkeepsie, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/poughkeepsietag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4462932026-02-16T00:00:00Z2026-03-11T20:16:58ZPittsburgh, PA – The Neighborly Hustle At Pittsburgh Behavioral Services, we’re flipping the script on vocational training. We want to move beyond the four walls of the classroom and give our students the tools to build a life of independence and purpose.
The Neighborly Hustle is a student-led "giving engine." The mission starts with our Care Kit Assembly Line: students will learn logistics, inventory management, and fine motor skills by curated high-quality toiletry bags for neighbors in need at the City Hope Center Pittsburgh. This isn’t just practice; it’s a real-world operation.
This is Phase One of a "Full Circle" vocational path. Once our students master the kit assembly, we’re branching out into The Flour Power Bakery and our own community garden. We aren’t just preparing them for a job; we’re preparing them to be the leaders, makers, and givers of the Steel City.
By assembling these kits, our students learn that they have the power to impact someone else’s life. It builds immense self-esteem to go from "someone who needs help" to "someone who provides help." We are tackling the "post-graduation cliff" by replacing anxiety with a resume and a sense of community belonging. It’s vocational training with a giant Pittsburgh heart.Emma Famili The Neighborly Hustle United StatesPittsburgh, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/pittsburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4481852026-02-15T00:00:00Z2026-02-16T00:36:54ZSanta Cruz, CA – Protecting Park Hall: A Community Space for SLVPark Hall is a historic community gathering space in Ben Lomond that has quietly served the San Lorenzo Valley for generations. It is home to Mountain Community Theater (MCT), Little People’s Repertory Theatre (LPRT), and countless local productions by first-time and amateur playwrights, dance troupes, and performers of all ages.
On any given year, Park Hall hosts everything from pee-wee ballet recitals and youth theater, to social dance nights and the occasional Friday night line-dancing party, to Grandpa Fred’s 80th birthday, softball league season-end celebrations, community meetings, history talks, and wildfire safety briefings. It is a true multi-use space — creative, practical, celebratory, and deeply woven into local life.
Park Hall survived the CZU fires, but not without revealing evolving safety needs. As wildfire risk continues to impact Santa Cruz County, this grant will help fund the installation of a fire sprinkler system to protect this irreplaceable community resource and the people who use it.
This project is about preservation, access, and resilience — ensuring that Park Hall can continue to safely serve artists, families, elders, and community groups for years to come. A safer Park Hall means continued access to the arts, local gatherings, and shared experiences that strengthen community ties.Surreyya Hada-StrongProtecting Park Hall: A Community Space for SLVhttp://parkhall.benlomond.orgUnited StatesSanta Cruz, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/santacruztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3678032026-02-15T00:00:00Z2026-02-18T17:10:24ZCass Clay – Keeping Folk Art Alive! Wool felting is one of the oldest textile art forms in the world. When learning to felt with wool, one can connect to not just art but history, science, math and human geography. I want to bring this art form into schools. I want children to learn how to take raw wool and create something that connects them to our ancestors. Without wool felting, ancient man would not have survived the harsh winters of the northern hemisphere. By teaching youth how to felt with wool they are keeping a historical art form alive and connecting to a material that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Young people today need connections to our history by doing. Wool felting keeps fingers and minds focused. Our local schools are facing constant budget cuts to programs and unfortunately, the arts take a major hit when school budgets are tight. As a former high school teacher, I know how challenging it can be to create lesson
plans that are cross curricular. When a child is able to see how a form of art can connect to history, science and math, the child is able to grow as a learner. Wool felting is a folk art that must be taught so that history can stay alive. The science of wool is fascinating and dare I say, magical?! Figuring out how agitation, heat and water can change raw wool into a malleable piece of fabric takes a science mind. Figuring out shrinkage rates takes math skills. Physical activity gets kids up and out of their seats for active learning time. Wool felting takes learning to the next level by allowing kids to design, create and produce an end product that is usable. My hope, by coming into our liocal schools I am able to not just teach but to alleviate some of the stress of being a teacher. If I can help our local art teachers by bringing in an ancient art form, learning standards can be met without the teacher having to attend yet another workshop and advocate of district dollars. Kelsy JenkinsKeeping Folk Art Alive! United StatesCass Clayhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cassclaytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4896212026-02-14T00:00:00Z2026-02-14T15:41:47ZGloucester, MA – FV Lily Jean FundAwesome Gloucester is gifting $2,000 to the FV Lily Jean Fund, which supports the families of the crew lost in the sinking of the FV Lily Jean. The fund is organized by the Gloucester Fisheries Community Preservation Fund and overseen at Cape Ann Savings Bank. Salvatore ZerilliFV Lily Jean FundUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4567682026-02-11T00:00:00Z2026-02-12T04:11:10ZSan Francisco, CA – Bonne Maman Burlesque Sure! This is a new burlesque troupe featuring mothers — all the performers are moms, the show is made for moms, and each burlesque number is a satirical commentary on issues that real-life moms can relate to. Some examples of the numbers/themes: A mom stripping down from a business suit into a “mom outfit” (like yoga clothes), then again into lingerie, symbolizing the second shift of the working mom. In another number a mom furiously works on stage to both perform the striptease while also finishing up domestic tasks, to the sound of “I’m a Woman” by Peggy Lee, all while her husband (played by a drag king) sits on a toilet scrolling his phone, highlighting the domestic inequities present for so many modern Mothers. And there are sooo many other ideas! We are a group of currently four moms and we have a lot of fantastic and real AF concepts— we want the show to be true to the roots of burlesque, a blue collar art form that was designed as a playful satire on the themes of modern life. We think this is the perfect moment in time to create a show that is validating, subversive, political and powerful, all constructed for the female gaze.
The goal of this show, called Bonne Maman Burlesque (“good mom” in French), is to bring women together in community that we so desperately need, and to make them feel seen and understood in all of the banality, the rage, and the absurdity of the modern mom experience. It’s also an opportunity to help other women reconnect to their sexuality as they watch other women with real mom curves celebrating their bodies onstage unapologetically.
Our goal is to produce the show and perform the same show at several different venues throughout the Bay Area. Anna RitnerBonne Maman Burlesque United StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4665872026-02-11T00:00:00Z2026-03-02T15:27:29ZAnn Arbor, MI – Ann Arbor Joy RidessAnn Arbor Joy Rides is a local chapter of Cycling Without Age (CWA) and operates as a project under the nonprofit Walk Bike Washtenaw. CWA is a worldwide organization that gives the elderly and people with limited mobility the experience of riding a bike in the form of volunteer-piloted trishaw rides. CWA combats loneliness and isolation by getting folks out in nature and into their communities all while building meaningful connections. Rides give passengers, caregivers, and pilots the chance to share stories, thus building intergenerational knowledge, trust, and connection. Joy Rides will be a hyper-local project with a focus on rides in Ann Arbor along safe, established routes. Safe biking routes such as the Border to Border Trail are perfect for the slow paced rides that this project will provide. Our small team has talked in depth with three different USA CWA chapters and they have shared their resources, waivers, insurance information, and organizing tips with us. We are partnering with senior living centers along our safe established routes to give rides, along with rides from central city locations such as Gallup park or the farmers market. CWA has the added benefit of being a low cost and low greenhouse gas, and consumption way to broaden horizons for the elderly and increase land use for all. Our goal is to eventually provide 150-200 rides minimum per year from spring through fall, with the ability to grow as we add volunteers to our team and Trishaws to our fleet. Expecting the Trishaw to be delivered in April 2026, training pilots in May, and giving our first ride by June 2026. We will have riders complete a simple survey at the end of rides with a rating scale to track positive results of rides along with ways we can improve our program. We will keep track of rides given, mileage, and positive outcomes of rides for volunteers and riders. Ann Arbor Joy Rides is a tangible way to create community and increase joy for all.Megan MuzzellAnn Arbor Joy Ridesshttp://www.a2joyrides.orgUnited StatesAnn Arbor, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ann-arbortag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4398022026-02-10T00:00:00Z2026-02-11T17:17:58ZSan Francisco, CA – Existential Wednesday Existential Wednesday is a small, playful public writing experiment that happens only on Wednesdays.
On these Wednesdays, people are invited to pause and respond to simple existential prompts like:
“What question are you avoiding?”
“What feels meaningless lately?”
“What still surprises you?”
Responses are anonymous and informal. They might be written on scraps of paper, cards, or mini notebooks. Some responses may be exchanged between strangers, read aloud by someone else, or quietly displayed for a short time.
The project is intentionally loose and experimental. It may take place in parks, cafés, sidewalks, or pop-up gatherings, and it may change shape each week based on how people engage. The goal isn’t answers or improvement, but shared reflection and momentary connection through curiosity and honesty.
Existential Wednesday treats big questions lightly.
It creates a low-pressure, slightly mischievous space where people can engage with meaning, doubt, and curiosity without needing to explain themselves or fix anything. By limiting the project to Wednesdays and keeping it informal, it turns existential thinking into a communal ritual rather than a private spiral.
The project is deliberately small, strange, and unfinished. It uses writing as play, not productivity, and invites connection through shared uncertainty. With $1,000, I can test an unusual, human way of bringing people together around questions we usually keep to ourselves.Lauren ZapataExistential Wednesday United StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4594012026-02-10T00:00:00Z2026-03-20T10:00:43ZUtrecht – Utrecht Geeft! In Utrecht vallen mensen nog te vaak tussen wal en schip. Niet omdat hun problemen zo groot zijn, maar omdat ze net niet passen binnen bestaande regelingen. Een rekening die niet vergoed wordt, een korte periode zonder inkomen, medische of praktische kosten die nergens onder vallen. Juist deze kleine, urgente hulpvragen kunnen grote gevolgen hebben wanneer ze blijven liggen.
Utrecht geeft! is opgezet om precies daar het verschil te maken. Het is een regionaal platform dat snelle, concrete en mensgerichte hulp mogelijk maakt voor inwoners van Utrecht die vastlopen in het systeem en nergens anders terechtkunnen. Niet via lange trajecten of ingewikkelde procedures, maar via korte lijnen, maatwerk en vertrouwen. Hulp wordt altijd aangevraagd door professionals die betrokken zijn bij de situatie, zodat zorgvuldigheid, begeleiding en nazorg gewaarborgd blijven.
Wat Utrecht geeft! onderscheidt, is de combinatie van snelheid en betrokkenheid. Donaties worden direct en doelgericht ingezet voor concrete hulp, zoals medische kosten, leefgeld, kinderopvang of noodzakelijke voorzieningen. Donateurs zien precies waarvoor hun bijdrage wordt gebruikt, wat de betrokkenheid vergroot en het geven laagdrempelig maakt.
Met Utrecht geeft! investeren we niet alleen in individuele oplossingen, maar ook in een stad waarin mensen naar elkaar omzien. Een stad waarin tijdelijke tegenslag niet leidt tot blijvende achterstand. Met steun van Utrecht Geeft kan dit platform verder groeien en bij.
Utrecht Geeft is gebaseerd op het idee van Michelle van Tongerloo in Rotterdam! Zij heeft Lekker Geven opgericht. FrederiqueUtrecht Geeft! NetherlandsUtrechthttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/utrechttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4640542026-02-10T00:00:00Z2026-02-11T17:17:44ZSan Francisco, CA – A Mime For Every ParkOur parks are lacking engagement. I want to bring awareness to our shared places and allow folks to take back the public commons. This isn't such an issue in San Francisco where parks are lively and well occupied but in Santa Rosa, where homes are spread out and likely have backyards, there isn't much to bringing folks together for no other reason than being in the same shared space without commerce. I am not doing this project through our nonprofit because I want this to feel spontaneous and random. This project is in tandem with a couple other artists to encourage people to visit their green spaces. We have some covert picnic promotions, silent book club gatherings, and free sketchbook club activities. This will be ongoing throughout the year as weather permits.
Yes, we all know that mimes fell out of favor and were ridiculed as obnoxious by the testosterone bros of the Yuppie era. Luckily those folks are probably too old to swing a punch and there are whole generations of people yet to be annoyed. Please let us do that for them, ya know, for fun.
I don't have a website set up for this and probably won't do one so I've linked the website for an organization I work with doing large community engagement projects.
I haven't done this project yet so I don't have any photos, and shockingly I was unable to find a mime to take a picture of. So I've included the tennis team from the 1966 movie Blow Up.Spring MaxfieldA Mime For Every Parkhttps://srurbanarts.orgUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4508462026-02-10T00:00:00Z2026-03-10T03:03:33ZSeattle, WA – Preserving and Growing DIY Music Scene in SeattleMy name is Molly Nguyen, and I have been booking DIY hardcore punk/indie/metal shows in Seattle since last year. I primarily book DIY all-ages music shows at unconventional spaces such as a Vietnamese coffee shop and a Korean fried chicken restaurant. There is a scarce amount of all-ages venues in the Seattle area. My goal with this project is to explore new all-ages venues, support local Seattle businesses, and bridge the gap between the DIY music scene and local community businesses.
Here is a YouTube video of a hardcore punk show I booked and hosted last year inside of a Vietnamese coffee shop/creative space called Hello Em/Little Saigon Creative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqv-YP1bKqs&t=1sMolly NguyenPreserving and Growing DIY Music Scene in SeattleUnited StatesSeattle, WAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/seattletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4717032026-02-08T00:00:00Z2026-02-12T08:25:44ZNewburgh, NY – Ward One Trash PickupI have lived in Newburgh for 3 years now and have grown to love the town and its people, but am heartbroken by the small piles of trash in my neighborhood. I heard someone say in a documentary about Newburgh, "If the government doesn't care, why should the people care?" I cannot relate to this mentality.
I care about my neighborhood regardless of what anyone else thinks. So much grandeur sullied by waste. I take long walks and pick up a few things here and there, mostly thinking that this is just bigger than me. But then I remind myself that anything is better than nothing! I wonder, if I do this everyday, maybe someone else who has the same concern, and thinks it is bigger than them will know they are not alone.
Occaisionally when I am on my walks, I get to meet a neighbor, or better yet, help them out with something like carrying a peice of furniture or maybe just some nice conversation. Some residents are concerned about rich people moving in and making things harder for them. I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination - just a working artist who enjoys a humble existence and using my time in pursuit of the things about which I truly care I often wonder, 'is every person a walking advertisement for their beliefs?'What message am I spreading?
Marlene KryzaWard One Trash Pickuphttps://kryzamelot.com/United StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4768172026-02-08T00:00:00Z2026-02-12T08:26:37ZNewburgh, NY – The Newburgh Community Defense ProjectThere’s a quote in Spanish that says, “Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo”, which translates roughly to “Only the people can save the people.” It’s a powerful call to action—a reminder that in times of crisis and systemic failure, ordinary people must rely on one another and on collective action to protect their friends, neighbors, colleagues, and classmates. Doing so effectively requires organization, training, and collaboration.
The Newburgh Community Preparedness Project is a grassroots effort, spearheaded by Newburgh Resists (Indivisible chapter), to turn that belief into action: building the skills, networks, and solidarity our community needs to keep our community safe in the face of escalating - and increasingly violent and illegal - immigration enforcement. We will do this through a series of community-based training workshops tailored to the population affected.
Based on outreach and feedback from the community, coupled with the violence and community lessons learned out of Minnesota, we are prioritizing the following workshops in February, March, and April.
- Peaceful protest methods + safety marshal/descalation training. This training will prepare our community for safe protest for No Kings + future protests, as well as prepare/empower our safety team of 30 (+) members.
- Hands Off/ Community Preparedness Workshop - designed for Newburgh residents. Know your rights (KYR) training, Rapid Response/Community Preparedness best practices, Overview of current Newburgh Rapid Response opportunities .
- School preparedness workshop - designed for teachers, school counselors/psychologists/social workers. Know your rights (KYR) training
School preparedness best practices , Workshop / break out sessions to explore school based plans . We're currently in conversations with the school district about this offering.
- Immigration Law for Legal Practioners. Legal training for attorneys, court advocates, and other legal practitioners.
Kathryn. GalbraithThe Newburgh Community Defense ProjectUnited StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4339172026-02-06T00:00:00Z2026-05-21T03:22:40ZAdelaide – Safe Pets Safe Families Community Vet VanSafe Pets Safe Families (SPSF) is a South Australian charity founded in 2013, operating under a One Welfare and Veterinary Social Work framework. They provide holistic, wrap-around support to keep people and pets together through crisis.
Clients include people experiencing:
• Domestic violence
• Homelessness or rough sleeping
• Poverty and cost-of-living crisis
• Disability
• Mental health challenges
• Housing insecurity.
The growing cost of living crisis has meant a dramatic increase in the number of people doing it tough. Without accessible vet care, people are forced into traumatic choices: surrendering or euthanasing their pets, delaying medical care for themselves, staying in abusive households, or letting animals suffer unnecessarily.
Launching in early 2026, the Community Veterinary Van will provide desperately needed veterinary care to those in crisis including those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, disability and those struggling with the cost of living crisis. Using a social enterprise, not-for-profit model, the van will be providing for-fee services in order to create a sustainable business model that can help those in need for many years to come.
The Mobile Vet Clinic will deliver:
• Street-based and in-home vet care for clients with transport or mobility barriers
• Pop-up clinics for DV services, homelessness hubs, and councils
• Preventative health care such as: health checks, vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping
• Comprehensive sick animal consultations and treatments
• Quality-of-life assessments
• Palliative care planning & euthanasia
• Chronic illness management at home
• Behavioural consultations
• Street-based and in-home vet care for clients with transport or mobility barriers
• Pop-up clinics for DV services, homelessness hubs, and councils
• Supervised student placements integrated with social work support
Awesome Foundation funding will go to purchasing equipment needed to start servicing people and pets as well as providing free veterinary care and medications to those most at risk one day a week for one month.Jessica ScrivenSafe Pets Safe Families Community Vet Vanhttps://safepetssafefamilies.org.auAustraliaAdelaidehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/adelaidetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3668482026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-06T20:33:01ZLower Hunter – Offsite School SportsPCYC Cessnock delivers offsite school sport programs to local primary schools across the Hunter, travelling up to an hour to reach schools that would otherwise miss out. Many of these schools are in regional and disadvantaged communities where access to quality sport programs is limited. Our program provides structured, engaging activities led by qualified PCYC coaches, building physical fitness, teamwork, confidence, and positive connections with Police and community role models.
In 2025 alone, we worked with schools including Milbrodale, Nulkaba, Cessnock West, St Paul’s Rutherford, and Broke Public, running weekly sessions for 4–7 weeks per term. Previous years saw us support over 10 additional schools, but due to limited staffing, vehicles, and outdated equipment we have had to turn many down. The demand is strong, schools value our program as affordable, reliable, and community-focused, while families appreciate that children are given opportunities they otherwise would not have.
New equipment will allow us to rebuild the program, expand reach, and ensure every child has access to quality sporting experiences. By taking sport directly to schools, we remove barriers of cost, transport, and distance, ensuring no child misses out. This project is awesome because it creates joy, builds healthier habits, fosters inclusion, and strengthens community spirit, delivered right where it’s needed most.
Renae BrennanOffsite School SportsAustraliaLower Hunterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/lowerhuntertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4584702026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-04T17:42:46ZSt. Paul, MN – SPPS Online School: Being Heard Online AwesomeStPaul is pleased to announce our February 2026 grantee. This project will supply students in online schools within SPPS with headphones or earbuds to enhance their learning opportunities in the home environment, particularly those who cannot afford them, as multiple siblings often learn in the same space.
Zachary PiersonSPPS Online School: Being Heard Online https://online.spps.org/United StatesSt. Paul, MNhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/stpaultag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4616752026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-03-23T08:23:49ZNewcastle – 21st Century Beauford21st Century Beauford are weekly all age gigs at the Beauford Hotel in Mayfield where you have to be born post-2000 to play, the whole aim is to have spot where kids/teens can have a place to have their first couple gigs as most places don't allow people under the age of 18 to play.
We've had young local bands like Cornea, Out of Focus, Arietta, Industry Plant, Revenant, Stomp, just to name a few
21st Century Beauford has been going weekly for almost 12 months now and I don't have any plans in stopping the shows!
Tedmund Polglase21st Century Beaufordhttps://www.instagram.com/21stcentury_beauford/?hl=enAustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4757692026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-04T23:56:50ZSydney – Wellness BagsI have provided clothing, bedding and toiletries to the rough sleepers of Woolloomooloo every Sunday for the last nine years. I also assist Diva charities monthly at Lexington Place. They do the food, I provide the clothes for the community.
Over the years, I realised these men (and often women) were being released to rough sleep with literally nothing. Now, I pack Wellness Bags, and provide them directly to Long Bay jail for the men who are being released to rough sleep.
A bag includes a few changes of clothes, socks, undies, toiletries, a yoga mat, towel, sleeping bag, pillow, beanie and footwear. I remain sustainable by collecting and washing donations and collecting jackets from the City 2 Surf start line.
I have been told today that my donated storage space is no longer available.
This will make our city more awesome by giving the most vulnerable people of Sydney some dignity so they slide into society with decent clothing.Penny KehoeWellness Bagshttp://www.homelessnotnameless.com.auAustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4732932026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-05T00:07:08ZBaltimore, MD – Puerto Ricans of the Baltimore Elite Giants "From Borinquen to Baltimore: Puerto Rican Players of the Baltimore Elite Giants" is a community-centered exhibition hosted at Tola’s Room, a Puerto Rican home museum in Baltimore, and part of the BmoreBoricuas archiving initiative. The exhibition tells the largely overlooked story of Puerto Rican baseball players who played for the Baltimore Elite Giants in the Negro Leagues and explores how their lives, labor, and talent connected Puerto Rico to Black Baltimore during the era of segregation.
Through photographs, archival materials, storytelling, and multimedia elements, the exhibition highlights baseball as a vehicle for migration, resilience, and cultural exchange. These players were not only athletes—they were migrants navigating racial hierarchies, cultural ambassadors building relationships across communities, and contributors to Baltimore’s rich sports and social history long before integration and the arrival of Major League Baseball in the city.
Housed in an intimate, home-based museum, the exhibition invites visitors to experience history in a personal way—connecting neighborhood stories, Puerto Rican identity, and Negro League history. "From Borinquen to Baltimore" celebrates shared struggle, solidarity, and joy, and makes visible a chapter of Baltimore history that deserves to be seen, discussed, and remembered.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a Community Archiving Day will invite Baltimore residents to share photographs, documents, and stories connected to baseball, migration, and community life in Baltimore. The event will preserve personal histories related to the baseball, Baltimore, and the Puerto Rican experience, ensuring community memories become part of Baltimore’s historical record.Yaritza VelezPuerto Ricans of the Baltimore Elite Giants https://www.tolasroom.com/bmore-boricuas-projectUnited StatesBaltimore, MDhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/baltimoretag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4313872026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-05T00:00:15ZSydney – Sydney Bike Rave Speaker Upgrade and Spare BikesMy name is Gaston, I have been organising Sydney Bike Rave for the last seven months. We are a new event in Sydney looking to get the community out on their bikes and build confidence in riders via a fun event of music and bike riding!
I host a ride once a month (sometimes more) around Sydney. We have four medium sized speakers which cargo bikes carry and link up the sound. These speakers play music all together and are great to get people out on their bikes!
Rides have been a great success with around 70-140 riders attending, with a growing number of riders every event!
City of Sydney council have contacted me that they support the event and I have a group of volunteers who help me carry gear and organise each ride. I do not take or make any money from this event I just love to get people out there on their bikes and enjoy some live music. Gaston Armand Sydney Bike Rave Speaker Upgrade and Spare Bikeshttps://www.facebook.com/share/14NzHeaFh9d/?mibextid=wwXIfrAustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4062302026-02-04T00:00:00Z2026-02-05T10:49:16ZGlasgow – Prepmate Meal Kits This year, communities across Scotland continued to face the harsh realities of the cost-of-living crisis, persistent inflation, rising food and energy prices, and increasing pressure on household budgets have deepened food insecurity and widen inequality. Pantries were forced to adapt very quickly, as their landscape around surplus food was highly reduced.
Our response to this as a collective voice for pantries, was the development of Prepmate Meal Kits. Prepmate meal kits offer ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards for preparing nutritious main meals and soups.
Alongside distributing these kits, we will offer a six-week community cooking class for eight participants to further develop culinary skills and foster community engagement around healthy eating.Rebecca ManirankundaPrepmate Meal Kits https://scottishpantrynetwork.org.uk/United KingdomGlasgowhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/glasgowtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4333582026-02-03T00:00:00Z2026-02-03T23:20:05ZNewmarket – Expanding School Snacks: Fueling More Youth This project expands an existing school snack program that currently provides nutritious, stigma-free food to students in two high schools and two elementary schools in Newmarket. Since September 2025, the program has delivered weekly snacks such as yogurt, granola bars, apples, bananas, and string cheese to at least 550 students each week, supporting youth who experience food insecurity due to poverty. Hunger can significantly affect students’ ability to focus, learn, and feel supported during the school day and many come to school feeling happy to obtain nutrition from school snack bins. With support from the Awesome Foundation, this project will expand the program to additional schools in Newmarket, increasing access to consistent, healthy snacks for more youth. Funding will be used directly for food purchases and distribution, allowing for immediate, measurable impact while advancing the goal of Zero Hunger at a local level in Newmarket
.
This project advances the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by increasing food security and access to nutritious snacks for youth experiencing poverty in Newmarket schools.Nisa Chaudhry Expanding School Snacks: Fueling More Youth https://stampoutstigma.ca/CanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4316752026-02-02T00:00:00Z2026-02-27T16:12:25ZDurham, NC – The Durham Artist ArchiveI moved to NC from Milwaukee, WI in June 2020. I knew no-one when I arrived but as the world reopened, I felt welcomed by the Durham community. I loved the culture, art scene, history, and new friends I made and moved to Durham in 2023 feeling called here. Having previously done a variety of projects focusing on artists, I wanted to do it again in a new format- a podcast showcasing local creatives and the love they have for this city.
The Durham Artist Archive is an oral history podcast and archival project I launched in 2024 to document the evolution of Durham, North Carolina through the voices of its artists. Through in-person conversations, I capture how their creative practice intersects with Durham history, their personal memories, and their dreams for the future.
These conversations have included visual artists, poets, musicians, dancers, and more who are either based in Durham or deeply rooted in its creative ecosystem. Some of my favorite episodes of the almost thirty posted have featured drag queen and scientist Stormie Daie, photographer C Bay Milin, and painter Candy Carver.
The mission of the Durham Artist Archive is threefold:
1. To document the state of art and culture in Durham in real time,
2. To uplift and connect the local creative community,
3. And to preserve these narratives as a publicly accessible resource for future listeners, researchers, and residents interested in Durham’s cultural history and artistic legacy.
The reception to the podcast has been amazing. Since its inception, I've had 5k+ listens and an average of 150 plays per episode. I've also had the opportunity to record live sessions at North Star Church and the Griot and Grey Owl festival this past fall. As the podcast grows, I'd like more support to sustain it and this grant would be a major aid.Alyssa Cuffie OnuohaThe Durham Artist Archivehttps://durhamartistarchive.substack.comUnited StatesDurham, NChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/durhamtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4695572026-02-01T00:00:00Z2026-08-31T05:02:10ZSingapore – From Seed to ShelterFrom Seed to Shelter (FSTS) is an initiative addressing malnutrition in refugee camps.
While working on a previous project, I had done some research in Vial Refugee Camp, Greece. I learnt from a doctor there that 90% of the patients she treated suffered from diet-related issues. I did some digging into the issue, and learnt that in 2023, only 1.4% of the food distributed by the World Food Program (the world’s largest humanitarian agency) was deemed ‘nutritionally adequate’. These were troubling things to learn - vulnerable communities deserve better access to nutrition.
In June last year, I left my job to start FSTS and respond to this issue. I piloted a microgreens farm outside of Zervou Camp, Greece, in cooperation with the grassroots organisation selfm.aid. Microgreens were promising due to their fast grow-cycle (7-14 days) & nutrient content (5x more nutrient-dense than mature vegetables). Additionally, Zervou Camp was a site where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had reported cases of malnutrition a few months prior (April 2025).
I wanted to learn 4 things from the pilot: (A) Was this a cost-effective means of supplementing diets? (B) Would the farm survive the intense Greek summer? (C) Would the community take to the food being provided? (D) Would the community be able to manage the farm on their own? If I could demonstrate that microgreens farming passed these ‘tests’, then they might be a solution that could be more widely adopted in other settings where displaced communities have insufficient diet diversity.
On all 4 counts, my evaluation determined that the pilot was a success (find the evaluation report here: https://tinyurl.com/samospilot). I trained 6 refugees to operate the farm productively, supplementing over 2000 plates in 2 months, with only 5m^2 of floorspace. I estimated the solution is about 50% more cost-effective than a cash transfer. The pilot has concluded but the farm continues to operate through the community groups on the island.Benjamin FreebornFrom Seed to Shelterhttps://www.fromseedtoshelter.com/SingaporeSingaporehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/singaporetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4437282026-02-01T00:00:00Z2026-03-24T15:25:47ZState College, PA – Nature Exploration Backpacks at Schlow LibraryThe benefits of spending time in nature are countless and well researched. Increased mood, reduced anxiety, boosted immune system, better sleep, and increased levels of exercise are all associated with access to green spaces. Apart from the mental and physical health benefits, getting outside is one of the best ways to explore your community, connect with others, and even find creative inspiration. Here in Central PA, we are lucky to be connected to such abundant parks and other green spaces, both within our urban landscapes and among the beautiful forests and fields that surround us.
Unfortunately, not everyone has been able to realize these connections. Cost of gear, transportation, education about the outdoors, general comfort level, and so many more factors can all be barriers to access, especially among people of color, low-income families, and other marginalized groups. With the 3Dots Awesome Grant, I’d like to bring a new resource to our community that will help lessen those barriers for folks who are ready to discover all the benefits that our parks, forests, and fields have to offer.
Schlow Library already offers a selection of activity kits at no cost to members with a library card. My proposal is to assemble a selection of Nature Exploration Backpacks that Schlow can add to their offerings to give children and adults alike the tools to venture into our local green spaces and connect with the outdoors in new and exciting ways.
Each backpack will focus on a different theme to guide folks’ curiosity. The themes we’ve chosen are: birdwatching; insects and bugs; tracks, scats, and signs; plants, flowers, and trees; and nature journaling. Each backpack will include a variety of field guides, educational materials for both adults and children, tools for hands-on learning, and a resource guide of local parks and tips for enjoying the outdoors. Duration of the rentals and other programmatic details will be determined by Schlow.Dom FeolaNature Exploration Backpacks at Schlow Libraryhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YP2NPPjC_D1Kqb2IsTxTb1bqV8ABqawk8LB2uDa1gG0/edit?gid=771001276#gid=771001276United StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4770482026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-02-04T17:16:50ZDisability – Minnesota Warmline: Providing Peer SupportThe Minnesota Warmline provides peer support and a connection with others via phone, text and online chat. The Warmline service is anonymous, confidential and free of charge.
For many people, the Warmline is an important tool that helps them avoid mental health crisis and use of crisis services, 911 and hospital emergency departments. Calls are answered by peer support staff who have first-hand experience living with a mental health condition and are available to listen, provide support, and connect people with resources. And if a person is in need of more help, we can directly connect them to the nearest crisis services.
This has been an unbelievably challenging time here in Minnesota. ICE agents have become increasingly aggressive and combative, and racial profiling and disregard for legal immigration status are being frequently reported as well. Intimidation, use of force and chemical irritants are being frequently utilized on peaceful protesters and those trying to document their actions to show our nation and the world what is really happening on our streets.
Throughout this time, our team at Mental Health Minnesota show up every day to provide care and support for our community even as they face their own stress, fears and grief. The number of calls, texts and chats have also continued to increase in number and intensity in recent weeks.
**What our grantee is saying:** "This has been an unbelievably challenging time here in Minnesota. in recent weeks, and demand for the peer support provided by Mental Health Minnesota's Warmline. Right now, the need for the free and anonymous support and resources we provide is especially important, and we truly appreciate the support."Shannah MulvihillMinnesota Warmline: Providing Peer Supporthttps://mentalhealthmn.org/what-we-do/peer-support/minnesota-warmline/WorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4144512026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-02-02T17:02:21ZNew York City, NY – Trans Art FestFrom April - May 2026, *Trans Art Fest* will present two months of community powered art programming: 11 all-trans art exhibitions and over 20 events and counting across NYC. It is the first year of the festival, a grassroots initiative entirely volunteer run by trans artists, organizers, and allies. At this critical moment of dual visibility and attack, Trans Art Fest works to celebrate trans art and to support, connect, and empower trans artists, strengthening community both within and beyond the art world.
The AwesomeNYC grant will go toward supporting two of the events in the Fest: Sketchy Queers - a figure drawing workshop by and for the LGBTQ community, and Basketdolls - In Transition - a one day outdoors exhibition and basketball game.
* Stay up to date with art shows, Open Calls, events, and ways to donate at www.transartfest.com
* Follow them on Instagram [@transartfest](https://instagram.com/transartfest)
Carter ShocketTrans Art Festhttps://www.transartfest.comUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4540052026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-02-02T21:46:15ZLos Angeles, CA – Mothers Supporting Mothers: It Takes a VillageMothers Supporting Mothers: It Takes a Village Baby Shower is a community-centered celebration for new and expecting mothers who would not otherwise be able to afford a baby shower. Hosted by Fathers and Mothers Who Care (FMWC), this event provides essential baby and maternal supplies while creating a joyful space for mothers to connect, feel celebrated, and build community.
Participants will receive baby clothing, diaper bags, diapers, wipes, and fully stocked hospital bags for mothers. The event will include food, games, and prizes to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Just as important, mothers will have the opportunity to bond with one another and connect with local resources, including healthcare providers, WIC, early childhood education programs, parenting classes, and mental health services.
This project is about more than material support — it’s about reminding mothers they are not alone. By bringing women together during a pivotal moment in their lives, we reduce isolation, foster peer support, and help build a village that extends beyond the event itself. With a small grant, we can create a meaningful, dignified, and joyful experience that strengthens families and uplifts our community.Junisa DaileyMothers Supporting Mothers: It Takes a Villagehttp://www.fmwc.orgUnited StatesLos Angeles, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/los-angelestag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4480422026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-02-14T17:03:07ZToronto – Animal Assisted Therapy: Miniature HorseStash is a certified miniature therapy horse and has a permit with Animal Services, Toronto to visit hospitals, healthcare facilities, libraries and schools. Some visits are with younger children, other visits are with seniors. Many visits focus on patients who are palliative or complex care who cannot exit their care home easily. Stash goes on visits approximately 1-2x monthly.
Animal assisted therapy provides a different type of healthcare that is under-utilized in Canada and supporting these initiatives makes everyone's like more awesome. Stash is unique in that he is the only horse that performs this service in Toronto, most other therapy animals are registered canines and several felines. As a horse, he presents a unique experience for many seniors to reminisce about their lives outside of the care institutions. It also provides a positive experience to assist in diversifying experiences for cognitive exercise.
Rhiya Armogan and Aarya ArmoganAnimal Assisted Therapy: Miniature Horsehttps://www.stashtherapyhorse.comCanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4507142026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-03-03T01:55:45ZOttawa – Black In Nature Forest SchoolJanuary’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Lukeisha Andrews to support the Black in Nature Forest School.
“Our programming,” says Lukeisha, “supports Black children getting outside year-round, in all weather! We believe that Black children and youth deserve to feel a deep sense of belonging outdoors, and aim to provide an inclusive, accessible, safe, and brave space where all Black children can connect with nature. As a not-for-profit organization, most of our participants attend programming at no cost.”
“Not only is Black In Nature a community space for children and youth,” she continues, “we are a landing place for parents and other Black community members. At many of our programs, Black community members and newcomers experience outdoor activities in Canada for the first time through participation and volunteering.”
“This past year,” says Lukeisha, “we have hosted a diverse set of annual programs, consistently engaging over 30 families. Winter outdoor activities consisted of snowshoeing and cross country skiing. At our annual March Break Camp, we explored animal tracking, tapped maple trees, and cooked meals together. At our Summer Overnight Camp, we learned how to set up tents and cook outdoors, we shared stories by the fire, participated in water safety and canoeing sessions, and bonded deeply as a community. At our Summer Day Camp, we explored forest ecology, plants, and insects, created art with natural minerals, created music together in the rain, and practiced mindfulness and grounding routines on the Land.”
The Awesome Ottawa award will be used to reserve Macskimming Outdoor Education Centre for Black in Nature’s March Break Day Camp. “Here,” says Lukeisha, “we will host up to 15 Black families. We will explore the Land together through snowshoe hikes, ecological exploration, storytelling, song, and play.”
Besides being the founder of [Black in Nature] (https://blackinnature.ca/), Lukeisha is a facilitator with Child and Nature Alliance Canada. She describes herself as “a life long (un)learner, a peaceful disrupter, and passionate about creating brave spaces for all children to be fully immersed in nature and on the Land.”Lukeisha AndrewsBlack In Nature Forest Schoolhttps://blackinnature.caCanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4803152026-01-31T00:00:00Z2026-03-03T03:05:32ZOn the Water – Puppets for the PáramoImagine a traveling puppet theater climbing a 4x4 trail to the high Andes of Colombia, right where water is born. We bring educational magic to rural children living in the Páramo ecosystem—the misty moorlands that act as natural sponges providing water to millions in the cities below.
Often, these children are unaware of the global importance of their own backyard. Through a puppet show starring "Fray the Frailejón" (a puppet based on the native water-capturing plant), we teach the water cycle in a way that is fun, interactive, and unforgettable.
But they don't just watch; they create! We will use the grant to fund a 4-weekend tour to isolated rural schools. After the show, we host a workshop where every child builds their own "Water Drop" puppet using recycled materials. They take their puppet home as a symbol of their pledge to become official "Guardians" of the local springs and rivers. It is environmental science, but wrapped in laughter and art.Dulce María Uzcátegui OchoaPuppets for the Páramohttps://www.instagram.com/titeresmedia.oficial/WorldwideOn the Waterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/onthewatertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3917122026-01-30T00:00:00Z2026-01-30T05:02:29ZGloucester, MA – Sea PortraitsHey All,
I’m a 16 year old Gloucester resident, and am really into black and white film photography. I am also a commercial fisherman and am interested in doing a portrait series of fisherman and developing the film myself. I love murals and I love photos so I thought what better way to make Gloucester more beautiful than something like this! These would be developed myself and then the money would be used to get larger scale (and durable material) that could be displayed somewhere downtown.Asher Sauder Sea PortraitsUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4342142026-01-29T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T18:55:22ZYerevan – Կոմիտասի ձայնադարան Թանգարանը, լինելով Կոմիտաս Վարդապետի արվեստի ուսումնասիրման և հանրահռչակման կարևոր կենտրոն, ներկայումս հնարավորություն չունի թանգարանի տարածքում այցելուների համար ապահովելու առկա թվայնացված ձայնագրությունների որակյալ և հասանելի ձայնադարան։ Նմանատիպ փորձ իրականացվել է ժամանակավոր ցուցադրության շրջանակում մի քանի տարի առաջ։ Այն բավական հաջողված էր, և այցելուները մեծ հետաքրքրություն էին ցուցաբերում։ Սակայն ձայնադարանի երկարատև գործունեությունը հնարավոր չեղավ ապահովել տեխնիկական խնդիրների պատճառով։
Ձայնադարանից օգտվելը կազմակերպված էր ինքնասպասարկման ձևաչափով, ինչի հետևանքով կարճ ժամանակում վնասվեցին օգտագործվող ականջակալները և ձայնապնակների նվագարկիչների ասեղները, և դրանց հետագա կիրառումը դարձավ անհնար։ Այդ փորձից հետո նախատեսվեց ձայնապնակների երգերի և երաժշտության թվայնացված ձայնագրություններ ունենալ և դրանց կիրառումը դարձնել ավելի ժամանակակից։
Ներկայիս ծրագրի շրջանակում նախատեսվում է մեդիա նվագարկիչի միջոցով ստեղծել թվայնացված ձայնագրությունների ձայնադարան։ Ձայնադարանը կտեղադրվի թանգարանում՝ Կոմիտասի բնակարանի VR ցուցադրության հարևանությամբ։ Տարածքը թանգարանի միջոցներով կկահավորվի ձայնապնակներով, գույքով և համապատասխան գեղարվեստական լուծումներով։
Ձայնադարանը հնարավորություն կտա մինչև 8 այցելուի միաժամանակ ունկնդրելու Վարդապետի հոգևոր և ժողովրդական երգերը։ Ձայնադարանից օգտվելը տեխնիկապես կապահովվի ցուցասրահների համապատասխան աշխատակիցների աջակցությամբ։
Այս ձայնադարանը թանգարանը կդարձնի առավել գրավիչ, կապահովի առկա ձայնագրությունների արդյունավետ կիրառումը և կնպաստի նոր ձայնագրությունների թվայնացման հանդեպ հետաքրքրության աճին։
Նախագիծը նաև կլուծի նախկինում փորձարկված, սակայն տեխնիկական պատճառներով չշարունակված ձայնադարանի խնդիրը՝ առաջարկելով ավելի կայուն, վերահսկվող և երկարաժամկետ լուծում։ Արդյունքում թանգարանը կդառնա ավելի գրավիչ, ինտերակտիվ և մրցունակ մշակութային միջավայր, իսկ առկա և ապագա ձայնագրությունները կստանան նոր կյանք և կիրառություն։
Պատասխանատու՝ Քնարիկ Ղազարյան
ԿԹԻ թանգարանային ցուցադրությունների կազմակերպման բաժնի վարիչ«Կոմիտասի թանգարան-ինստիտուտ» ՊՈԱԿԿոմիտասի ձայնադարան https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzZ0f3UiUzgArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3659882026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T15:14:52ZGeorgetown, MA – Sharing Georgetown’s HeritageThe Georgetown Historical Society (GHS) preserves and displays thousands of items from Georgetown’s rich history. Many of these objects are connected to community stories. Much of the information about these items and stories resides in a database located on one old desktop computer. GHS needs a new computer and would like this to be laptop computer so that information could be updated and entered in the Brocklebank Museum, the Society office, and the public library where the objects are stored. And, best of all, the historical information could be shared with the visiting public including Georgetown residents.Mary SaundersSharing Georgetown’s Heritagehttps://sites.google.com/view/georgetownmahistoricalsocietyUnited StatesGeorgetown, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/georgetowntag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4427762026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T19:11:49ZOahu, HI – Switch-Adapted Toys for Oahu's Title 1 SchoolsChildren around the world use toys as tools for self-expression, social interaction, and the development of cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and conflict resolution. Play-based learning is an essential component of child development, playing a critical role in social-emotional growth and academic readiness. Although the importance of toys is widely understood, most toys are not designed with physical disabilities in mind. As a result, many children with disabilities require switch-enabled toys, which replace the pressing, holding, or manipulation of small parts found in conventional toys with a large, easy-to-use button attached to the toy.
Switch adapted toys are not widely produced or sold, and are significantly more expensive than their mainstream counterparts. Additionally, when an adapted toy breaks, families are often forced to purchase a replacement at a high cost, as many companies lack the knowledge or resources to repair these specialized toys. We are seeking $1,000 to purchase and distribute 15 switch-adapted toys and 4 capability switches to a high-need Title 1 school in the Oahu area. We also hope to provide 1 battery device adaptor, which allows any standard battery-operated toy to be converted for switch use.
Through our project, we hope to create inclusive spaces that bring together children of all ability levels. We plan to apply to more grants offered by the Awesome Foundation to make an impact across the country. Riya AbiramSwitch-Adapted Toys for Oahu's Title 1 Schoolshttp://www.cubsupport.orgUnited StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4517382026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T15:14:24ZGeorgetown, MA – The Essex County Pet Pantry! Essex County Pet Pantry is a not-for-profit pet food and supply assistance organization based in Essex County, Massachusetts. Its mission is to help local families keep their beloved pets fed and cared for during times of financial hardship so they don’t have to make the heartbreaking choice of surrendering their animals due to cost struggles. The pantry collects donations of pet food, supplies, and financial contributions, and plans to offer county-wide drop-off and pick-up (or delivery) options to support pet owners in need. I am the founder and a member of Georgetown. Our board members and myself recognized the real costs of pet care and want to ensure no pet goes hungry and no family has to make the decision to feed themselves or their pets.Shayna E GatautisThe Essex County Pet Pantry! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BhpyJJcSU/United StatesGeorgetown, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/georgetowntag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4465232026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T15:33:02ZRhode Island – (The Worst) Pedestrian Intersections in ProvidenceAFRI is excited to offer support to "(The Worst) Pedestrian Intersections in Providence".
Steve Beres will be creating a long form video portraying problematic intersections all over Providence. Through a combination of on-camera interviews with pedestrians, off the cuff narration, and real time depictions of entering and exiting crosswalks, Steve will highlight various opportunities for improvement throughout our city. Segments of the playful-and-serious video will be shared on social media; the entire final work will be available on Youtube. Steve Beres(The Worst) Pedestrian Intersections in ProvidenceUnited StatesRhode Islandhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/rhodeislandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4398582026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-01-29T19:12:16ZOahu, HI – Community Mural at Kamaile Academy PCSI am collaborating with my friend Teatuahere Teiti-Gierlach to lead a community mural project with her 11th and 12th grade students at Native Hawaiian-focused Kamaile Academy Public Charter School in Wai'anae, O'ahu. This project will be a collaborative process with the students where they contribute to the design and will paint the mural on a wall on campus. The themes of the mural will be centered in cultural connection, community, and youth empowerment. Last Spring I did a climate change resilience mural with her students which was very successful. The students created a design showing the climate change impacts that they see in their Indigenous Pacific Islander communities and the climate-just future that they want to see, rooted in ancestral knowledge and traditional practices (see attached images). I also did a similar project with a group of Native Hawaiian students at Leeward Community College (see attached images). This new project will build upon this, and may include more themes of climate resilience if the students would like to focus on that. Overall, this project will develop students' creativity and storytelling skills, foster teamwork and community, and result in a beautiful artwork that the entire school and community can enjoy. Gillian DuenasCommunity Mural at Kamaile Academy PCSUnited StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4574972026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-02-15T19:30:11ZWashington, DC – The Color of Fire Black women make up an estimated 0.4% of U.S. career firefighters. That absence shapes who gets seen as “belonging” in the job, who gets mentored, and who stays long enough to lead. The Color of Fire is a documentary photography project centered on women firefighters, especially women of color, and the unseen labor of staying excellent in a profession built to doubt them.
In Washington, DC, I will photograph and record short, firsthand stories from women firefighters and recruits: the quiet routines (gear, bruises, hair, childcare, training), the public-facing moments (calls, ceremonies, recruitment events), and the private cost (injury, isolation, pressure to be twice as good). The work is paired with a public-facing outcome in DC: a small pop-up exhibit and community talk in a Ward-based space (library/community center/gallery), plus an open “meet the photographer” evening and a youth-facing session aimed at girls considering public safety careers.
This project is built to be accessible: images, short captions, and clear audio quotes that DC residents can connect to quickly. The goal is not hero worship. It is representation with context: who these women are, what it takes to stay, and what changes when a city sees them clearly.Richard ClarkeThe Color of Fire http://Instagram.com/rj43mmUnited StatesWashington, DChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/dctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3692442026-01-28T00:00:00Z2026-04-12T01:01:29ZGainesville, FL – Improving Outdoor Gathering Spaces for GROW HUBGROW HUB is a nonprofit retail and wholesale plant nursery that provides vocational horticulture and job training for adults with disabilities. Our work supports participants’ physical and emotional well-being through gardening, art therapy with UF Arts in Medicine, and community-building activities such as monthly staff lunches, volunteer events, and garden-based workshops.
Our outdoor gathering areas are central to this mission. While we currently host events and meals outdoors, several of our picnic tables and umbrellas have deteriorated over time. We are seeking funding to replace the worn-out structures and add more seating and shade, ensuring our space remains comfortable, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone who visits or works at GROW HUB.Cherice SmithersImproving Outdoor Gathering Spaces for GROW HUBhttp://grow-hub.orgUnited StatesGainesville, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/gainesvilletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4357692026-01-27T00:00:00Z2026-02-02T20:19:47ZChicago, IL – Jordan Communty School Miyawaki mini-forestMiyawaki mini-forests enable residents of heat vulnerable neighborhoods to build heat resiliency and create healthier, more livable environments.
Our project reinforces tree canopy expansion by Chicago's Department of Environment, the Morton Arboretum, Openlands, and Treekeepers.
Elementary school students, faculty, staff, and parents experiment with the Miyawaki technique and gain mastery. They will then be able to use this technique to expand greenspace in other areas of their neighborhood that are deficit in tree canopy cover.
Our project expands the skills and knowledge base that support residents in their efforts to improve their environment by direct action.
Miyawaki mini-forests mature ten times as fast as natural forests. Students will graduate from eighth grade with the experience of having achieved meaningful and visually dramatic change. This, as much as any material benefits, is central to our project: We are building a cohort of local, environmental activists starting with students young enough to be optimistic about the dealing with climate change.
The project is an outgrowth of ongoing environmental justice efforts at the Jordan School location. The initial component was the Network 49 Vine Trellis Project, in which students quantify the reduction of heat load on buildings by shading the walls. The second component was stormwater retention by adding contours to perennial beds. Both techniques are inexpensive, easy to implement, and flexible. They can be adapted to diverse locations and needs.
We are collaborating with Chicago City Park District staff to expand both the heat reduction and the stormwater retention components into the adjacent city park in the spring of 2026.
The three components (Miyawaki mini-forest, Vine Trellis Project, and stormwater retention contouring) all reduce the high average summer temperatures and the high incidence of flooding that occur, as is typical of under-served urban areas, in the school's vicinity,James KernJordan Communty School Miyawaki mini-foresthttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560845698397United StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3619562026-01-27T00:00:00Z2026-03-11T19:59:25ZWestminster, MD – Its Just the Beginning for Kindred!After years of leading community health and wellness initiatives at The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, I saw firsthand how programs that focus on the whole person, mind, body, and heart, can change lives. When The Partnership closed, I felt a deep responsibility to keep that work alive. Out of that commitment, I launched The Kindred Institute for Leadership and Wellness to continue providing the resources, education, and opportunities our community needs to thrive.
Kindred’s mission is to strengthen individuals and organizations by fostering leadership development, wellness education, and meaningful connections. Our programs build essential skills like emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy, skills that not only improve personal wellbeing but also create stronger workplaces, families, and communities.
In just a short time, we’ve begun building momentum, from leading a guest presentation at a local company’s annual employee training day to engaging residents in conversations about mental health, stress management, and compassionate leadership. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming that there is a real need for this work in Carroll County.
A $1,000 Hey Westminster! grant would allow us to take the next step—expanding outreach, increasing awareness, and hosting more community-based events that are accessible and inclusive. These events will bring people together, equip them with practical tools for wellness and leadership, and strengthen the health and vitality of our county.
This is just the beginning for Kindred, and with your support, we can create a ripple effect of kindness, connection, and well-being that will benefit Carroll County for years to come.
Tasha CramerIts Just the Beginning for Kindred!http://kindredinst.orgUnited StatesWestminster, MDhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/westminstertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4211132026-01-26T00:00:00Z2026-02-02T20:23:44ZChicago, IL – Chicago Alternative Comics Expo Cupcake MentorshipThe Cupcake Mentorship pairs unpublished alternative comics creators with an established sequential arts mentor, who can guide them over the course of half a year through the process of completing a meaningful comics project. Chicago’s own Skunk Cabbage Books has committed to hosting a release and live reading event of this year's Cupcake works May 1st 2026. In addition, Cupcake mentees will also have the opportunity to sell and discuss their work at the 2026 Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (CAKE).
This six-month mentorship is a chance for veterans of the independent and self-publishing world to help early career artists push their work to a new place. The Cupcake Mentorship helps bring new people into Chicago’s rich legacy as home to many of underground and alternative comics’ most talented artists–past, present, and future. Creating a space where those with diverse stories, aesthetics, and experiences can exchange knowledge, resources, and build relationships of support.
The Cupcake Mentorship provides an unusual opportunity that has helped creators like Kelly Fernandez, Adam Griffiths, and Anne Marie Rogers complete significant career founding work. The Cupcake Mentorship, in concert with the Chicago Alternative Comics EXPO, empowers future generations of indie cartoonists to make their work, raise their voices, and inspire readers.
The money available through the Awesome Foundation, would allow us to support Cupcake Mentorships. Mentorship pairs are able to direct the use of funds depending on the comic project’s needs. This might include the cost of physical arts materials, software, printing, or educational resources. The costs of exhibiting the final projects will be provided by the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo and Skunk Cabbage Books.
Adelaide GrosseChicago Alternative Comics Expo Cupcake Mentorshiphttps://www.cakechicago.com/cupcake-awardUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4554342026-01-23T00:00:00Z2026-01-23T20:51:33ZConservation and Climate – Restore Iconic reserve in the Greater Kruger ParkEMERGENCY GRANT:
Olufants West situated in the Greater Kruger National Park, has been hit by excessive flooding, literally washing away most of the landscape. Deans dam, an iconic dam(lake) which serves as a wildlife gathering point, burst its banks, roads are impassible and fences that keep wildlife in and poachers out, have been washed away.
This is the first emergency grant of the Conservation and Climate Chapter. In addition to the standard grant, others have donated money to add to this grant. This grant will protect wildlife immediately by enabling grantees to prioritize emergency needs first.Richard J Van SchalkwijkRestore Iconic reserve in the Greater Kruger ParkWorldwideConservation and Climatehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/conservationandclimatetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3787082026-01-22T00:00:00Z2026-03-25T12:39:26ZMiami, FL – Bring Your Grandma: A Community Portrait DayBring Your Grandma is a free public portrait event celebrating Miami’s elders and matriarchs, hosted in collaboration with the Miami Workers Center. Community members will be invited to bring their grandmothers, mothers, or elder figures to have a professional portrait taken together in a welcoming, intergenerational space. Taking place at the Workers Center—an organization dedicated to uplifting working-class women, families, and elders—the event honors the caregivers, storytellers, and neighborhood anchors whose presence often goes undocumented.
Each family will receive a printed portrait to take home, and a second copy will become part of my ongoing archive, Miami’s Elders of Resistance, which documents women leaders and activists who have shaped Miami’s social landscape. The $1,000 grant would directly fund film, printing, and setup costs to make the event accessible and free to all participants. Rooted in connection and gratitude, Bring Your Grandma is both a celebration and a living archive of the love, strength, and wisdom our elders bring to this city.Nicole CombeauBring Your Grandma: A Community Portrait Dayhttp://www.nicolecombeau.comUnited StatesMiami, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/miamitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4490972026-01-20T00:00:00Z2026-01-21T04:06:22ZPortland, OR – Redirection Not Correction Youth Advisory CouncilThe mission of FreeNow 21 (FN21) is to empower youth and families to develop the skills, habits, and confidence needed to make healthy life choices and build thriving financial futures. Founded and led by individuals with lived experience of incarceration and community violence, the organization is grounded in a philosophy of redirection, not correction—helping people channel their ambition, resilience, and leadership toward stability and opportunity.
FN21 delivers financial literacy, life-skills education, and relationship-based mentoring for Black/African American and Latino/x youth and families, as well as incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. These communities are disproportionately impacted by economic exclusion, criminal legal system involvement, and underinvestment, yet possess deep strengths, informal networks, and cultural knowledge that shape our approach. Programming is facilitated by credible messengers who share the lived experience with participants, allowing for authentic engagement, honest dialogue, and practical guidance rooted in real-world realities.
FN21 plan to launch a Youth Advisory Council in Spring, 2026 with the intent to bring forward the voices, experiences, and wisdom of past participants into the growing design of the non-profit. Because many participants have experienced harm or exclusion from traditional institutions, engagement begins with meeting these young people where they are—physically and culturally—rather than expecting them to conform to institutionalized systems and rules. Providing former participants with the opportunity to play a leadership role in developing and leading the organization is imperative for growth of FreeNow21.Troy RamseyRedirection Not Correction Youth Advisory CouncilUnited StatesPortland, ORhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/portlandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3667942026-01-20T00:00:00Z2026-03-10T00:20:06ZIpswich, MA – Take me on your Hike!Recently we were at the New England Botanical Gardens and noticed that they had activity backpacks for kids and adults to increase the interaction with nature, creativity and community. We are in conversations with their education department to learn from their experiences and create our own bags based on our combined educational experiences, our love of the natural world and the creation of art.
Ipswich is well known for its dedication to providing Open Space land for the community. In addition, Ipswich can boast state and local forests, and many land preserves owned by The Trustees. We are surrounded by the natural world. We hope that these bags will be utilized by Ipswich residents; those that are familiar with being in these natural locations, or for those who may have never been on any of these properties.
We would like to create backpacks (for kids) and tote bags (for adults) to check out of our public library to bring on hikes.
Get Outside Bags contents:
laminated maps of Open Space in Ipswich
laminated ID sheets for local trees, plants, and animals
laminated tic check advice
blank notebook
crayons
watercolors
clipboard
Observation tools: magnifying lens and prism microscope
Seasonal Activity cards (kids)
How to watercolor paint instructional book (adults)
Kerry zagarellaTake me on your Hike!United StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4278182026-01-20T00:00:00Z2026-02-04T19:15:16ZIpswich, MA – Community Hearts and Connections Play is the Way would like to promote 2 community building ideas to be funded through the Awesome Ipswich grant.
1. Conversation Hearts and Connections (February)
We would love to facilitate a community art project that focuses on kindness and neighborhood connections around Valentines day. We will purchase blank conversation heart lawn signs and curate several community decorating events. We will provide lawn signs and durable weather proof markers and encourage participants to draw joyful designs or write kind messages to neighbors then post on their lawn. Retail stores can post them too, and may also function as pick up locations for residents who couldn't make it to the decorating events.
2. The Week of The Young Child (April)
Last year we had a resounding success and squeezed a lot of community programming our of the $500 received from Awesome Ipswich. The funding would go to supplies for pop-up art studio events, Zumis Art Show supplies, musician Friday Family fun night event and promotional materials, Kerry Zagarella Community Hearts and Connections United StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/4144562026-01-20T00:00:00Z2026-01-21T17:15:40ZSan Antonio, TX – Neurospicy SA Adult Socials1 in 5 people are neurodivergent, meaning they have a condition such as Autism, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, Anxiety, OCD, and/or many other mental conditions that make their brains operate differently than the norm. 20% of the global population is neurodivergent and struggles to belong in a world that is not tailored to them.
Neurospicy SA Adult Socials provide safe, supportive spaces for neurodivergent adults (ages 18+) to build friendships, reduce social isolation, and strengthen mental well-being through peer-led programs and community engagement.
We help those who want friends and connections meet others with similar struggles and strengths to bond, learn from each other, and feel safe in a welcoming space.
Some of the goals we hope to achieve with the Adult Socials:
1) Reduce social isolation among neurodivergent adults
2) Improve the social-emotional health of neurodivergent adults, which then leads to better mental and physical health.
3) Provide safe, comfortable spaces for neurodivergent individuals to be themselves without masking.
4) Host social and collaborative special events for connecting neurodivergent adults
5) Be a place where neurodivergent adults can belong.
During the socials, participants can:
1) Connect with peers who share lived experiences.
2) Join inclusive community activities that encourage belonging.
3) Build mutual support networks that nurture growth and confidence.
4) Celebrate neurodiversity in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.
We're a mid-sized meetup group right now, and have been hosting social events for a year now. We're in the planning stages of forming a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.
Meredith MarksNeurospicy SA Adult Socialshttps://www.neurospicysa.org/events/adult-socialsUnited StatesSan Antonio, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sanantoniotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3696772026-01-20T00:00:00Z2026-01-28T20:27:10ZNewburyport, MA – International Cultural FestivalOur project is the 4th Annual International Cultural Festival created and run by my students in the Global Citizenship Program at Newburyport High School. This course which I created in 2024 is a three year course for students in grade 10 - 12. In grade 10 their theme is Empathy. They work to identify and develop their skills as a global citizen by learning to see the world through other peoples point of view. Juniors learn about collaboration and cooperation by creating a steering committee and in this format, they organize, promote and run the festival itself. Finally in grade 12 students spend the year on a capstone project, presenting this at the festival to the public.
The festival features not only student presentations and activities created in classrooms throughout the district - but also local cultural artisans, crafts people, storytellers, musicians, nonprofits and businesses with cultural / global connections. The event this school year is on April 29th and is free and open to the public. Approximately 100 students will be involved in the festival and based on last year we expect approximately 400 or more students, families and community members to attend the festivalAileen MaconiInternational Cultural Festivalhttps://nhs.newburyport.k12.ma.us/United StatesNewburyport, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newburyport