Awesome Foundation - Projects

Glasgow – Widening and Supporting Access to Ice-Hockey

2025-08-20T00:00:00Z

Because it makes one of Scotland’s most exciting sports accessible to students from all backgrounds — including those from low-income families — and helps build something much bigger. Ice hockey is a fast, physical, and thrilling sport — but also one of the most expensive to play. Many students are priced out of participation. This grant directly removes that barrier, funding five games and keeping the sport open to all. We play at Braehead Arena — a 5,200-seat professional venue — and we’re building toward a Varsity-style event inspired by Nottingham’s student fixture, but on a bigger scale. With Glasgow’s student population double Nottingham’s, we have the perfect platform to create a major student sporting tradition. This £500 helps us get there — by making the regular season affordable for players, fans, and the community, and putting student hockey on the map in Glasgow. 🎥 [Watch our Nationals highlight clip https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxEDPjZnxQIl_82NGntZaTbJWyy-iGKSXF 🎟️ [See Nottingham Varsity clip https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxDUSpBbB3XihsKyTr0XS0E4g_VPbPg_4L?si=GUTlr0p4uCzmJSL4

Glasgow – Streetcare Volunteers

2025-08-20T00:00:00Z

We are a dedicated charity helping those experiencing homelessness in Glasgow. Est. February 2023 to continue, independently, our previous work under Humanist Society Scotland for 15+ years as their Project – StreetCare. No one is employed by the charity and everyone’s time is volunteered. We pro-actively search the streets of Glasgow weekly, 52 weeks/year in search of those in need, who may not be able to, or feel comfortable accessing standard services. We aim to assist “those experiencing homelessness” and others on the pavement/in shelters. We do not judge or means test to access assistance. Assistance is as follows: 1. Hot drinks, soup, other foods and warm clothing . 2. A listening ear information on services and organisations providing assistance. 3. Promoting zero waste’by working with stores in Glasgow to ensure that use food that they have, due for disposalcan be used We distribute these goods to those on the street or in “homeless” shelters We have 2 main activities: T-Walk Every Wednesday night our volunteers meet in Glasgow City Centre. Teams and routes are organised to cover City Centre and Westend. Volunteers engage with customers, be this a listening ear / human interaction or food, clothing, refreshments etc. Below are some of the items regularly given. • Homemade Soup, sandwiches, juice, crisps and sweets • Surplus stock from Greggs, Pret, M&S, Lidl, Sainsburys etc. • Donated clothing • New socks and underwear, thermal gloves, hats, scarves,hand warmers, ponchos, foil blankets, backpacks • Toiletries - soap, shower gel, shampoo, feminine products, deodorant, toothbrushes Then we donate the remaining goods to homeless shelters . T-Drop This initiative collects food waste at closing and distributes this to “homeless”throughout the city. We make 15 different collections each week, The volume is entirely unpredictable.but a very conservative estimate has a retail value of more than £600,000 p.a. Redirecting all this food to people in need..

Oahu, HI – Empowering Through Movement

2025-08-19T00:00:00Z

This proposal seeks funding to enhance the afterschool dance program at Ke'elikōlani Middle School, a Title I middle school serving a low-income community. Specifically, we request support for the purchase of essential equipment: full-length mirrors for the practice space and appropriate dance uniforms for the dance crew. These resources are crucial for fostering a professional, supportive, and engaging environment that empowers students through dance. Beyond the artistic development, this project aims to provide a safe and constructive outlet, build strong peer connections, instill valuable life skills, improve academic engagement, and positively impact the overall school community and its reputation. While our dance crew is a vibrant and enthusiastic group, they currently lack fundamental resources that are essential for effective dance training and performance. Without full-length mirrors, students struggle to observe and correct their technique, hindering their progress and confidence. The absence of proper uniforms impacts team cohesion, and diminishes the professional appearance of the crew, particularly during performances. In our community, many students face socio-economic challenges that can lead to disengagement, academic struggles, and exposure to negative influences. Providing accessible, high-quality extracurricular activities like dance is not just about art; it's about offering a vital pathway to positive development and future success. The investment in mirrors and uniforms will yield profound and far-reaching benefits for my students and the wider school community. The goal of dance at Ke'elikōlani Middle School is to build community, help students stay out of trouble and in school, build connections, create opportunities, help our school create a positive reputation and nourish learning values such as: discipline, teamwork, perseverance, grit, and respect.

Pittsburgh, PA – Summer’s Ending: The Back to School Mini Kiki Ball

2025-08-18T00:00:00Z

The Summer’s Ending Mini Kiki Ball is a chance to get outside and have some fun one last time before the school schedule kicks in. There will be food, drink, STI screening, and voter registration available for all attendees. This event is designed with the ballroom and KiKi ballroom community in mind, also expanding to all folks of queer experience–primarily of color–in Pittsburgh who may be in need of community, expression, and support. The event will also field already engaged students of queer experience from nearby universities–such as CMU, Pitt, Duquesne, and Chatham–to engage the city’s more transient queer population. The Pittsburgh Kiki Wave events promote programming that reduces harm, encourages community ties, spurs creative expression, and introduces civic engagement to the conversation for our queer communities so affected by our politicized identities. This programming comes in multiple forms including but not limited to balls, cultural-historical sessions and queer town halls.

Cass Clay – North Dakota LGBTQ+ Summit

2025-08-15T00:00:00Z

The ND LGBTQ+ Summit began as a conversation over coffee in 2017 with a simple question-how can LGBTQ+ folks across North Dakota connect in a meaningful way and build a strong community that could counter the isolation many across the state feel. The idea took flight in October '17. Each year since, the Summit has taken place in Bismarck/Mandan, with pandemic years held online. LGBTQ+ folks and allies from Beach to Grand Forks have gathered each fall to share community news, become advocates for causes and each other, and learn about what is happening nationally and in ND. The Summit has successfully partnered with a wide variety of of organizations to provide timely and impactful programming covering topics ranging from housing discrimination to aging, faith, finding joy and living an abundant life to Q+ history, successful community group organization to suicide prevention. In 2022 the Summit added a Professional Development Day. PDD is held on Friday prior to the Summit. PDD is geared to topics of particular interest to anyone who works with the LGBTQ+ community across the state. This reaches social workers, teachers, attorneys, healthcare professionals, clergy, counselors and more. October 3-5, 2025 brings the 8th annual Summit to Fargo! It is amazing to organizers that this important gathering has not only sustained, but gained momentum and attendance since 2017. This fall the gathering will be held in the NDSU Memorial Union. The ND LGBTQ+ Summit is run by dedicated volunteers across ND and is fiscally sponsored by North Dakota Human Rights Coalition. It operates as an autonomous organization under their fiscal umbrella, raising funds independent of NDHRC. As the Summit prepares to gather in a new city, and at a new venue, and with new funding challenges, we are reaching out to new partners. The planning team is currently finalizing programming for '25. Please visit the website and click archives to view information about the Summit's last 3 years.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Back to School Event - The Time Is Now - Welcome!

2025-08-15T00:00:00Z

My name is Felicia Schinella. I am a lifelong resident of Pok w/over 30 years of dedicated service as an educator in PCSD. My connection to this community runs deep, both personally & professionally. My passion has always been centered on supporting our young scholars, helping them realize their full potential. Last year, I had the privilege of serving as Interim Principal at PMS. This year, I have been appointed AP for our 9th grade students, the same group of scholars I first met 2 years ago as their 7th grade AP. When I first introduced myself to them, one student quietly told me it didn’t matter who I was because I would “leave them just like the last 3 AP's.” That moment stayed with me. It was a raw reflection of the instability they had endured and a personal challenge for me to prove that their trust and hope were worth rebuilding. This class has endured more than most. In the years following COVID, they have faced high turnover in school leadership, instability, & the stigma of being labeled one of the “most difficult” cohorts in recent memory, a label I refuse to let define them. I am committed to giving them a clean slate, a fresh start, a clear message; they are valued, supported, & capable of greatness. To set the tone for this new chapter, I envisioned something special, an orientation & “Welcome Back Fun Day” that goes beyond the traditional format. Alongside essential information for students & families, we will host a celebration on the PHS track with music, games, & a jumpy jungle gym. Food will be provided by former PCSD alumni who are local business owners, offering delicious options including hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages, unlimited snow cones, popcorn & more. We will welcome some local colleges & programs to connect w/families & inspire future possibilities. To add extra excitement, we will raffle off two $100 gift certificates,This event is more than a gathering it’s it’s a statement, our way of showing these scholars we care!

St. Paul, MN – Building Identity: Hmong and Karen Culture w/LEGO

2025-08-14T00:00:00Z

Congratulations to our August 2025 grantee. This project at Frost Lake Elementary School will engage students in exploring and affirming their cultural identities through storytelling and history, using LEGO pieces to build scenes that reflect the history and traditions of Hmong and Karen people. Through this hands-on approach, students will deepen their connection to their roots while developing a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage.

Ann Arbor, MI – VISION - The Magazine

2025-08-13T00:00:00Z

The Vision Magazine is a vibrant, youth-led, print-first publication dedicated to documenting and celebrating the voices of Detroit’s emerging artists. Our mission is to amplify bold, grassroots creativity that too often goes unseen and undervalued. This includes genre-bending musicians, powerful poets, self-taught painters, and DIY culture-makers—many under 30—who navigate the art world without traditional support or platforms. Each quarter, we will publish 1,000 full-color copies filled with original art, in-depth interviews, poetry, opinion essays, photo narratives, and cultural commentary—all created by and for young Detroiters. But this magazine is much more than a collection of pages. It’s a launchpad for creative careers, a vital community-building tool, and a living public archive of local brilliance and resilience. To bring this vision to life, we host collaborative workshops that center co-creation, mentorship, and skill-sharing. These sessions help artists refine their storytelling, develop editorial and design skills, and build trust with one another—forming a dynamic creative community. Complementing the print edition, we integrate digital elements via QR codes that unlock curated playlists, audio stories, and behind-the-scenes footage, seamlessly blending analog charm with digital engagement. At its core, The Vision Magazine believes that stories are infrastructure. Our publication captures a creative renaissance already in motion, empowering young artists to see their worth, claim their voice, and actively shape the cultural legacy of Detroit. By providing space, resources, and support, we nurture a generation of artists who will not only transform their own futures but also the future of their city’s cultural landscape.

San Francisco, CA – Golden Boy Dreams

2025-08-12T00:00:00Z

Hello! I am a fire eating, bellydancing, acrobatic artist looking to uplift the SF community through live site-specific spectacles. Golden Boy Dreams will be a giant (roaming) public performance installation - a larger than life anniversary party dedicated to my arrival, and a love letter to the city visiting multiple POPOS (privately owned public spaces) throughout SF. Taking my audience on a walking tour of interactive performances, local architecture, and hidden history - I can't wait to engage locals and tourists alike with a collection of competitions and prizes, legendary live music, and more in my strange but true traveling gameshow format MC'd by my alter ego - La Chi Chi!

San Francisco, CA – MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH

2025-08-12T00:00:00Z

Music for Mental Health is our way of throwing a lifeline in the form of a funky bassline. We bring live music, jam sessions, and interactive workshops into facilities that serve people with mental illness and disabilities—places that don’t usually get VIP access to creativity. Spoiler alert: they love it. We’re not here to fix anyone. We’re here to vibe—to make folks feel seen, heard, and part of something joyful. Whether someone’s rocking out on a shaker, humming along to a Beatles tune, or just tapping their foot while pretending not to enjoy it, they’re part of the band. Everyone gets to be part of the magic: the quiet ones, the wild ones, the ones who haven’t smiled in a week, and the ones who won’t stop singing once we leave. We’ve had participants go from total silence to belting out songs. We’ve had air guitar solos worthy of a Grammy. We’ve had people tell us, “I felt like a human again.” That’s why we do it. It’s not therapy, but it’s therapeutic. It’s not a concert, but it feels like one. It’s music that meets people where they’re at—no judgment, no pressure, just good sounds and real connection. In short: Music for Mental Health brings the beat back to people who need it most. And yes, we take requests—unless it’s “Free Bird.”

Yerevan – #Aragatsotnawesome Քարերի ներսում ապրող անցյալը

2025-08-12T00:00:00Z

🧩 ԾՐԱԳՐԻ ՆԿԱՐԱԳՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ «Քարերի ներսում ապրող անցյալը» ծրագիրն իր շուրջը համախմբում է Ապարանի բնակիչներին՝ ներառյալ փախստականներին, երեխաներին և տարեցներին՝ վերակենդանացնելու քաղաքի մոռացված պատմություններն ու հիշողությունները՝ պատերի վրա պատկերների և ձայների միջոցով։ Նաև Ապարանում գիշերը մութ և լքված պատերը վերածվելու են լուսարձակող պատերի՝ գիշերը փայլող նկարների միջոցով։ Օգտագործվելու են նաև ֆոսֆորային (glow-in-the-dark) ներկեր, որոնցով պատին նկարվելու են պատմական պահեր, ժողովրդական հերոսներ, հին լեգենդներ կամ համայնքի հիշողություններ։ Օրվա ընթացքում պատերը պարզապես գունավոր կամ չեզոք են, իսկ գիշերը սկսում են «շնչել»։ Ծրագիրը նպատակ ունի վերածել քաղաքի մի քանի մռայլ պատեր՝ համայնքի հիշողությունների կենդանի նկարագրության։ Յուրաքանչյուր պատ կներկայացնի մի պատմություն կամ հուշ՝ համայնքի անդամի կողմից պատմված, որը կներկայացվի գրաֆիկական ձևով, իսկ QR կոդով մարդիկ կկարողանան լսել ձայնագրությունը հենց պատմողի շուրթերից։ 🎯 ՆՊԱՏԱԿՆԵՐ • Տեսանելի, գունեղ կերպով վերակենդանացնել Ապարանի պատմությունը • Միավորել տարբեր ծագում ունեցող բնակիչներին՝ միասնական համայնքային լուսավոր գործի շուրջ • Տրամադրել ստեղծագործ հարթակ՝ թե՛ տեղացիների, թե՛ փախստականների համար • Ստեղծել տպավորիչ և կրթական «քաղաքային երթուղի»։ 👥 ԹԻՐԱԽԱՅԻՆ ԽՄԲԵՐ • Ապարանի բնակիչներ՝ հատկապես տարեցները (պատմությունների համար) • Փախստական ընտանիքներ և երեխաներ՝ ներգրավվածություն ու ներկայացվածություն ապահովելու համար • Տեղական դպրոցների աշակերտներ՝ որպես նկարիչներ կամ օգնականներ • Երիտասարդ կամավորներ՝ նկարելու, կազմակերպելու, ձայնագրելու և տարածելու համար։ 🧩 Քայլերի հերթականություն 1. Պատմությունների հավաքագրում • Համայնքային հանդիպումներ տարեցների և փախստականների հետ • Պատմությունների ձայնագրում ու գրավոր ձևակերպում 2. Պատերի ընտրություն և էսքիզների մշակում 3. Պատի հարթեցում և նախապատրաստում 4. Նկարչության օրեր 5. Ձայնային պատմությունների ստեղծում • Յուրաքանչյուր պատի մոտ QR կոդ, որը պարունակում է ձայնային պատմություն։ 6. Հատուկ բացման արարողություն և ցուցադրություն • Հատուկ միջոցառում՝ երեխաների,

Yerevan – Աշտարակում տեսարժան վայրեր ուղեկցող նշաններ

2025-08-12T00:00:00Z

Նախագիծը նպատակ ունի տեղադրել ցուցանակներ, կողմնորոշիչներ Աշտարակի հայտնի ու անհայտ տեսարժան վայրեր ուղղորդող։ Դրանք կգեղեցկացնեն քաղաքային միջավայրը, միտված կլինեն զարգացնել զբոսաշրջային ենթակառուցվածքները։ Կօգնեն տեղացի և օտարերկրյա այցելուներին հեշտությամբ կողմնորոշվել քաղաքում։ Լուսաբանել նաև քիչ հայտնի, բայց պատմամշակութային արժեք ունեցող վայրերը՝ արժևորելով Աշտարակի ամբողջ պատմական ժառանգությունը։ Կիրականացնենք Աշտարակի համայնքապետարանի հետ համատեղ ցուցանակների տեղաբաշխում, դիզայնի որոշում։

Yerevan – Ժայռամագլցման պատ

2025-08-12T00:00:00Z

Մենք մեր ճամբարում նախատեսում ենք կառուցել 6 մետր բարձրությամբ արհեստական ժայռապատ, որը կծառայի որպես մարզական, կրթական և բնագիտական փորձառության հարթակ՝ երեխաների ու երիտասարդների համար։ Այս պատը կդառնա մի տարածք, որտեղ ճամբարի մասնակիցները ոչ միայն կսովորեն հաղթահարել ֆիզիկական մարտահրավերներ, այլև կզարգացնեն համառություն, թիմային աշխատանք, վստահություն ու սեփական հնարավորությունների ճանաչում։

Orlando, FL – DTO Art Automat

2025-08-11T00:00:00Z

Thank you for your time - here is my AWESOME idea :) - Cherrah Pitch: DTO Art Automat Hello, Awesome Foundation! I’m Cherrah Johnson from Beaux Studios, and I'm thrilled to share an exciting opportunity to inject novelty, engagement, and direct revenue into our local arts scene: the DTO Art Automat. Our project centers around a vintage vending machine, generously owned by artist Geoff Gregory from FAVO. We envision transforming this unique machine into a dynamic, monthly art installation that not only delights the public but also provides a sustainable income stream for local artists. How It Works Each month, a select group of artists will receive 16 blank "mediums" – think small wooden blocks, clear sleeves, or various white paper boxes. The challenge and the magic lie in their creativity: artists will transform these ordinary objects into unique, collectible pieces of art. We'll build anticipation by having artists capture their creative process on video, which our dedicated interns will then use for a vibrant social media campaign. On the First Friday of each month, the DTO Art Automat will pop up at FAVO, fully stocked with these fresh, affordable art pieces, each selling for a fixed price of $20. Our goal is for each participating artist to earn $400 per month if all their pieces sell. Beyond the immediate sale, we'll coach artists to have prints and related merchandise available on their websites and in their studios, linking directly to their online presences from the DTO Art Automat's main landing page. This ensures ongoing visibility and potential sales beyond the machine itself. Expanding Our Reach We've secured an exciting partnership with Adjectives Market on Colonial, where the vending machine will reside throughout the month between First Friday events. This prime location will significantly broaden our reach, exposing these talented local artists to a wider audience and maximizing their potential for sales and recognition.

Santa Cruz, CA – Bikes4All

2025-08-09T00:00:00Z

We tackle the decline of vocational education by offering community-based bike repair programs where local mechanics mentor students—many of whom are low-income or underrepresented. Through our SPOKE program (Specialized Programming On Kinetic Education), students learn tangible mechanical skills by refurbishing donated bicycles. The process is simple but powerful: Fix – Students fix bikes with the help of trained mentors. Give – Those bikes are donated to underserved individuals and families. Get – We collect more bikes to continue the cycle. The result? Hundreds of students trained in a real-world setting, hundreds of bikes diverted from landfills and given new life, and entire communities strengthened through mobility and mentorship. We operate in Santa Cruz County, California, through high school partnerships and Saturday academies. Beyond skill-building, the program promotes sustainability, equity, and youth empowerment. Bikes4All isn’t just about bikes—it’s about building confidence, fostering purpose, and showing students that their hands can shape a better world.

Newcastle – Girls Who Roar - School Program

2025-08-06T00:00:00Z

Girls Who Roar is a 6-week online program for Teenage Girls, empowering them to embrace their uniqueness and be resilient and confident in themselves and their relationships. Our Mission is that Girls EVERYWHERE would hear a message that instils confidence and courage to have real and healthy relationships. Through the school's program, teenage Girls hear an inspiring message and experience a positive increase in their wellbeing, better decision making, clearer communication & stronger friendships. These all lead to increased engagement which impact not only them but their families, schools, and communities as a whole. The 6-week online program that walks teenage girls through valuing their uniqueness, their strengths and looks at what they personally value in themselves and those around them. We talk in depth about resilience, kindness, friendships, boundaries, healthy relationships, consent and so much more. Through our Girls Who Roar school program we can provide education on the benefits of raising

Sydney – 2nd Life Tech: Refurbishing Devices for Community

2025-08-06T00:00:00Z

Second Life Tech is a circular, community-first project that takes donated technology and gives it a new purpose. We collect laptops, desktops, tablets, and accessories that would otherwise go to landfill, then refurbish them to professional standards and redistribute them to people and organisations doing it tough. Our recipients include low-income families, schools with high FOEI scores, First Nations communities, women’s shelters, and newly arrived migrants or refugees. Many of these groups are digitally excluded — they don’t have access to devices for education, employment, or even basic communication. With this project, we’re not just handing out laptops. We securely erase data, repair and test every device, then match it with someone who truly needs it. We also provide basic setup and ongoing support where needed. Your funding will directly power the refurb process — parts, tools, logistics, and volunteer coordination — helping us breathe life back into hundreds of devices and get them into the hands of people who need them most. This is sustainable, practical, and deeply human work. One device can change a life — and with your help, we’ll change many.

Newburgh, NY – Newburgh Tools & Trees

2025-08-05T00:00:00Z

Newburgh Tools is an initiative to launch a community tool library in Newburgh. The project proposes the construction and operation of a tool lending facility and community resource hub on an underutilized urban lot, centrally located in the city’s historic core. The facility will be built by volunteer architects in partnership with other local organizations, and its design and performance will be documented as a prototype for low-cost, low-tech urban placemaking. When operational, the facility will gather and lend tools among Newburgh residents, serve as a practical resource and information base, and support other existing community service efforts. We’re gaining support and raising funds for a facility launch in Spring 2026, and starting this fall, we plan to use our host site, on Chambers between Broadway and First, as a platform for information and events. With minimal resources, we can do an initial mini-project on the prominent site to help us advertise and raise awareness for the project, demonstrate small-scale resilient design and community organization, and take meaningful action towards nourishing a neglected urban block, all at the same time. Over the next two months, we’ll clean our vacant lot of debris and overgrowth, rebuild the collapsing chain link fence and gate that front the property, and then organize and host a Tree & Tool Drive public event. The fence will be well constructed from natural materials, providing security and access for our site, and will carry informational signage promoting the project. The event will happen in October, coordinated and cross-advertised with the relaunch of the Newburgh Repair Café and Archtober 2025. In coordination with our neighbors, we’ll use a weekend to plant trees in existing unused sidewalk planting zones all up and down the surrounding block, and we’ll engage the larger community at the same time by hosting an all-day information session and soliciting tool donations for our future inventory.

On the Water – Riperion - river puppetry ritual

2025-08-04T00:00:00Z

Riperion is a new performance project that explores how water carries memory, culture, and consequence. Using hand-crafted water puppets, live music, and poetic narrative, the piece examines the dynamics between humans and water in the Gulf South—especially around the Mississippi River, wetlands, storms, and displacement. Riperion blends folk performance, ecological inquiry, and cultural storytelling to help us reflect on how we live with—and within—water. It’s a performance that asks: What does the river remember? What stories do we carry in our bodies like boats?

Gainesville, FL – Financial Survival Skills for Real Life

2025-08-01T00:00:00Z

We will launch a trauma-informed financial literacy and life skills program called “Financial Survival Skills for Real Life” at AMIkids Gainesville, a youth program that serves teens in a low-income, food-deserted areas. Many of these youth face barriers like poverty, unstable housing, and exposure to the juvenile justice system. This program will help them build confidence, job readiness, emotional resilience, and real-world money management skills. The 6-week course will help blend financial literacy with mental health support and career prep. Our goal is to empower youth to make informed financial choices, navigate adult responsibilities, and break cycles of generational poverty.

Baltimore, MD – Sick Freaks Magazine

2025-08-01T00:00:00Z

SICK FREAKS is a brand-new comic magazine dedicated to showcasing work by underrepresented creators in the Baltimore area. According to Forbes, the comic publishing industry has been facing some of the worst censorship since the 1950s and the era of the Comic Code Authority. This censorship disproportionately affects marginalized creators, especially those who discuss gender and race or criticize intolerance in their work. Historically speaking, during periods of censorship, comic artists survive by producing comic magazines. These magazines not only create an additional source of revenue for these creatives, but it gives them the space to tell stories that wouldn't be allowed to flourish by mainstream publishing. Some of the most revolutionary graphic novels of this century were developed through comic magazines. We would love to use SICK FREAKS to support the next generation of groundbreaking authors and artists and keep the vibrant comic community in Baltimore alive.

Gloucester, MA – Gloucester Wind Phone Project

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

Grief is a universal experience, and people need places and spaces to hold and express their grief. The original Wind Phone was the inspiration and creation of Itaru Sasaki. After the tsunami in 2011, he installed a phone near Otsuchi, Japan to help the people grieve their catastrophic losses. Since then, hundreds of wind phones have been established around the globe (see mywindphone.com). This project intends to install a wind phone in Gloucester to provide people in our community with a place and a means to connect to and express their grief. Wind phones are inactive, “old-fashioned” phones in a booth or shelter to allow a quiet, serene, private place to "call loved ones in spirit, to say the things that didn't get said while the person was alive". We wish to create a dedicated place where individuals can find comfort and healing. Ideally, our plan is locate the phone in Stage Fort Park over looking the harbor in the peaceful area adjacent to the garden at the curve of the promenade. Our goal is to install the phone to coordinate with National Grief Awareness Day on August 30, 2025.

Ottawa – Secondhand Stories Open House

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

July’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Liz Wheeler to support the [Secondhand Stories] (https://www.secondhandstories.ca) chicken sanctuary’s second annual open house. “As one of the only sanctuaries in Canada devoted exclusively to chickens,” explains Liz, “we offer care and advocacy for a species often overlooked in animal welfare conversations.” “Last year,” she continues, “our open house welcomed more than 250 guests, and this year we’re expanding with new youth-focused, culturally inclusive programming. Kids and teens will enjoy hands-on activities like a chicken origami workshop, an Indigenous-led dreamcatcher workshop, and children’s story time with the chickens.” “We're aiming to inspire empathy and introduce humane education through craft, storytelling, and direct interaction with rescued chickens,” she says. The open house takes place Saturday, August 30, near Perth, with [tickets] (https://www.secondhandstories.ca/openhouse) still available. Liz is a long-time animal advocate, mental health activist, and self-described passionate believer that kindness and compassion begin when children connect with animals.

Austin, TX – Open Road for All

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

Getting your first driver's license is a coming-of-age ritual that represents a new level of independence, freedom, and opportunity. It's also a process that requires a coordinated amount of financial, logistical, and human support, which many young adults in Austin — including those who are aging out of foster care, experiencing homelessness, or living in poverty — simply don't have. Open Road for All aims to bridge this gap. A $1000 grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will fund the state-mandated driver's education class, critical hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, and a driver's test for one Austin-area young adult.

New York City, NY – Breathe - Colombia Medical Center Mural

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

Our July grant has been awarded to artist Marya Triandafellos and her project _"Breathe,"_ a 15' wide mural that will be installed on a currently blank wall in the lobby of the Columbia University Medical Center's cancer wing. It will be the first thing patients see when they enter a space where they spend up to one half hour waiting on each visit. In her own words: _"The hospital has no budget for art, yet these are patients facing some of the most vulnerable and emotionally charged moments of their lives. I created Breathe to transform this transitional space into a moment of color, peace, and gentle energy: something that can lift spirits without the need for words. Working with the hospital, I developed a survey to learn what patients and staff would prefer for the space. Through my interest in Neuroarts, I researched that images of nature are especially effective in healthcare settings. Using AI, I created a sweeping, idealized view of the Hudson River designed for a moment of calm for patients and to help staff feel uplifted. Installation is expected by late 2025."_

Liverpool (Inativo) – A Sensory Garden for Children with Cerebral Palsy

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

At Stick ‘n’ Step, every step is a victory, and every child is a superhero in the making! We're not just a charity, we’re a family, a team, and a launchpad for children with cerebral palsy to reach new heights. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that affects muscle control, coordination, and posture. For the children we support, this often means struggling with everyday tasks most take for granted. Many face difficulty walking, speaking clearly, feeding themselves, or using their hands to hold a pencil or get dressed. Some live with chronic pain, muscle stiffness, or involuntary movements, making even the smallest action a huge effort. Others face social isolation or low self-esteem because they can’t join in as easily with their peers. Now imagine a place where those challenges are met with strength, smiles, and unwavering support. That’s what happens every day at Stick ‘n’ Step. Through free Conductive Education sessions, we work with over 120 children and young people across the Northwest of England. Our mission is not just to support movement, but to build confidence, independence, and a sense of possibility. Led by expert practitioners, our sessions help children develop physical abilities, communication, and essential life skills. They learn to dress themselves, walk with pride, play with friends, and go to school feeling included and capable. And their families grow stronger with them, gaining encouragement, community, and hope. We are now seeking support to create a sensory garden at our Wallasey centre, on the Wirral. This vibrant, interactive outdoor space will allow children to explore nature, plant flowers, and experience the joy of gardening. Activities in the garden will support motor skills, coordination, and emotional wellbeing, while the sights, smells, and textures offer calming sensory input. It’s more than a garden - it’s a safe space for learning, growth, and connection. With your help, we can make it blossom.

Disability – American Foot Drop Association

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

American Foot Drop Association (AFDA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and building resources for people living with Foot Drop, a mobility-limiting condition that affects thousands but is often misunderstood or overlooked. Founded by people with lived experience, AFDA brings truth, tools, and visibility to a hidden disability. Through bold storytelling, community support, and practical information, we help people move through life with more dignity, confidence, and connection. From emotional support to daily adaptations, our work fills the gap between clinical care and real life. Our flagship project, Braced Not Broken: A Beginners Guide to Foot Drop has already reached dozens of individuals and families across the U.S., with zero paid staff. We offer resources like: - Real-talk guidance from someone living with foot drop, not a medical brochure - Practical tools like adaptive tips and hacks, what to ask and symptom trackers - Emotional support that speaks to grief, frustration, and resilience - Peer-powered insight built with input from others walking the same path - Dignity-centered design that treats readers as whole, capable, and powerful - Connection to community through AFDA, support groups, and ongoing education We are currently seeking grant support to expand our reach and increase accessibility by printing and distributing physical guides to: - Orthotic & prosthetic clinics (like Hanger, Bionics, and local providers) - Physical therapy centers (especially those working with post-stroke or neuro rehab) - Neurology departments - Disability-focused organizations (like Centers for Independent Living or United Spinal) - Hospital discharge planners handling mobility-related handouts This effort will also support building partnerships, referral systems, and community connections with providers, medical teams, and disability orgs . AFDA empowers people not just to survive drop foot but to live fully with it. Because we are not broken. We’re just walking a different path. **What our grantee is saying:** I’m honored and deeply grateful to receive the Awesome Disability award as a founder of the American Foot Drop Association. We can finally print and share the guide we wish someone handed us when we were first diagnosed with foot drop. With this support, we’ll be able to send guides directly to physical therapy clinics, orthotic providers, and neurology offices to reach people right at the start of their journey. As the guide says: “You’re not broken. You’re not less than. You’re still capable, still worthy, and still complete.” Kasey Gilmore, founder AFDA

San Antonio, TX – San Antonio's Traveling Duo-U-Haul Art Exhibition

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

Back in November of 2024, I was an undergraduate student in my final year of college at Texas State University. Being a fine arts major, part of our thesis portfolio class required us to set up a fully student-led art exhibition with our classmates, in which we had to figure out the venue space, funding, curation, installment, and more. Our team decided to proceed with San Marcos' first U-Haul art show, Leave The Bones, in which we funded and rented out two large U-Hauls for a night of art fun hosted at Sean Patrick's Irish Pub. It was wildly successful, and the payoff and planning were well worth it. Some of our original members of our team found the experience so unforgettable that we want to try to pursue this and make it a legitimate event to look forward to in the future, one that can happen semi-regularly, starting with our personal hometowns. Not only that, but we want to make it into a self-sustainable event, eventually being able to gain enough traction to where we can function with help from our own community, and open up to submissions from the public, local artists by us, not just limited to our original team of artists. Our duo- U-Haul art show will follow the same blueprint as our current Leave The Bones show did-- we will find a venue (ideally a downtown local restaraunt or pub with a lot space), and settle on the curation for each truck. Trucks will ideally be operating during the night of first friday, and perhaps the rest of the weekend nights as well. This is a free to visit exhibition open to any and all ages. We have catering and a separate booth where the artists from the trucks can sell prints and stickers. Artists can also sell their pieces in a red-dot fashion if they want to. A very limited amount of profits will be used to fund the next show, and with a small pool going, hopefully enough to continue sustaining itself as a bi-montly or so event.

Toronto – The Youth Canvas Exhibition

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

The Youth Arts Gallery is a vibrant, community-driven project showcasing artwork by children ages 7-10 years old. It is designed to spark confidence, creativity, and civic engagement. This project is inclusive and uplifts young voices while bringing together art, community and education. The objective is to help children become confident presenters of their own work and see its real-world value. Each youth will enter a series of paintings (maximum 5) and will have an opportunity throughout the event to speak on their visuals to an audience of not only friends and family, but also patrons who frequent the location. Families and locals have an opportunity to gather to celebrate local creativity and there will be future opportunities to present this event as a culminating activity for youth who express an interest in visual art. This gallery provides children the experience of displaying art to public audiences, empowering them as visual contributors to Toronto's cultural ecosystem and their pieces will also be for sale, which will teach them about being producers rather than consumers. This is important especially for youth in underserved communities who may not learn about opportunities to visualize art as a sustainable avenue even though their talent says otherwise. The motivation to put an event like this together, is to broaden the children's perspective on their abilities, creativity, and art economics. The space has already been donated by Harlem Restaurant in Toronto, ON, and this will draw diverse families and community members which builds intergeneration and cross-cultural appreciation. Grassroots art programming is essential to Toronto's tapestry of cultural diversity and identity. Harlem Restaurant is renowned for supporting arts and provides a culturally significant setting, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. The donation of the space promotes communal arts education while aligning with their creative mission. Photo credit: Harlem Restaurant

San Antonio, TX – Cycles For Change

2025-07-31T00:00:00Z

Cycles for Change (C4C) is a youth-led nonprofit that combats period poverty by distributing free menstrual products, raising awareness, and dismantling the stigma around menstruation through education and advocacy. What started as a small community drive has grown into a movement. We've launched a blog and podcast featuring real stories, and built a growing ambassador program of passionate teens. Our work has been recognized in San Antonio news, and we’re currently lobbying for menstrual equity policies in Texas schools. But we’re not stopping there. With support from the Awesome Foundation, we plan to scale up our impact by expanding internationally, hosting period positivity workshops in underserved schools, and expanding our ambassador network across Texas. Our goal is to make menstrual products as accessible as toilet paper and to empower every young person to advocate for dignity and equity. We believe a more inclusive, stigma-free world starts with honest conversation and action.

Rhode Island – Writers' Block Party: Resistance!

2025-07-30T00:00:00Z

This July, we're supporting LitArts RI's project, "Writers' Block Party: Resistance!" On Sat, Oct 18, they'll host a Writers’ Block Party designed to inspire Rhode Islanders to engage with the issues that matter most as citizen writers. Participants will be invited to explore the connection between writing and activism through hour-long micro-workshops on op-eds, oral and written testimony, flash and hybrid forms, and sign-making. Between sessions, participants can take time to network and brainstorm, write postcards to elected officials, enjoy a potluck lunch, and participate in a guided community discussion on next steps and submissions.

Yerevan – Vandzor Rock booth

2025-07-29T00:00:00Z

We want to build a small, closed booth in the center of Vanadzor that functions as a mini-museum and listening space dedicated to Vanadzorian and Armenian rock music. Inside the booth, visitors will find headphones, a music streamer, stories and photos from the city’s rock history, and a small seat where they can sit, listen, and explore. The experience will be quiet and immersive — like stepping into a time capsule of Vanadzor’s musical soul. The booth will feature curated tracks from local bands, archival materials, and personal stories. It’s not just a playlist — it’s a journey through a forgotten cultural revolution. Vanadzor was once a center of Armenian rock, and this booth brings that past back to life in a new, fun, and meaningful way. We want people — especially youth — to discover something they didn’t know existed, to feel inspired, and to reconnect with their city in a new way. This is more than music; it’s memory, identity, and pride packed into a small, creative public space. We believe that reviving Vanadzor’s rock legacy can energize today’s cultural life too.

Oahu, HI – Exploring the Art of Ukiyo-e (Japanese Woodblock P

2025-07-23T00:00:00Z

Our students, from Noelani Elementary in Hawaii, are involved in a Sister School/Homestay Exchange program with a school in Sakai, Ibaraki, Japan and we are learning about the culture and history of Japan as we prepare for a trip to Japan in the Fall. The integration of art along with the study of the Japanese culture will deepen their learning experiences, especially with Ukiyo-e hands-on art kits. The art kits are recreations of famous prints, and they are easy to use for students to experience the multi-layer printing process. We will be making a visit to the Tokyo National Museum that has actual ukiyo-e woodblock prints on display that the students will explore as we go through the museum. Being able to create their own works of art would be an amazing connection. As a community service, we also have a community booth at our craft fair to present our trip experiences and these are kits would be a great interactive experience as well. The students man the booth to share their learning experiences, pictures and a cultural craft (previous experience was origami folding).

Gainesville, FL – Nurture Fest

2025-07-23T00:00:00Z

The inaugural Nurture Fest is an event grounded by intersecting values of community-building, collaboration, and paying it forward. Initially conceived as a small celebration of two recording grant recipients, Nurture Fest has grown in scope to become a carefully curated community event of (non-exclusive) women-centered arts and artists. Nurture Fest is slated to take place at Heartwood Soundstage on Sunday, October 12th, 2025. The music lineup already includes Gainesville musicians such as Lexi Braun (Palimony), Chelsea Carnes (Wax Wings, Rancho La Chua, etc.), Maggie Clifford, and some up-and-coming regional talent, including recording grant recipients Sarah Hinds (Gainesville) and Savannah Rubio (St Augustine).

Chicago, IL – Honor Boxes: Flowers While They’re Here

2025-07-22T00:00:00Z

Honor Boxes is a community-based, multigenerational art and storytelling initiative where participants create custom floral arrangements and handcrafted “Honor Boxes” to recognize everyday heroes in their lives. Whether it’s a neighbor, teacher, bus driver, nurse, or grandmother—this project encourages people to pause, reflect, and say thank you in real time. At our mobile pop-up flower station, community members will design their own floral arrangements and decorate personalized boxes, each with a handwritten note or story about the person they’re honoring. The goal is simple but powerful: shift the narrative that flowers are only for funerals and instead celebrate people while they’re still here to smell them. Inspired by our Fridays Flowers initiative—which quietly acknowledges individuals making a difference—Honor Boxes is a creative evolution. It invites deeper community engagement through hands-on participation, storytelling, and public appreciation. The event will culminate in a sharing circle or public acknowledgment ceremony where participants present their Honor Boxes or deliver them directly. What makes it awesome? It centers gratitude and connection in a world that often rushes past both It brings people together across generations It’s simple, beautiful, and emotional—flowers + art + words It’s public, visible, and participatory It’s a gentle but firm resistance to the idea that appreciation must wait for loss

Portland, OR – black whole Press: Workshops

2025-07-22T00:00:00Z

I am the founder and program director of black whole Press, which is a print media community arts space located in the heart of the Alberta Arts neighborhood in North Portland. The space is used to host events, residency programs, and educational opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and POC artists and community members that have an interest in exploring printmaking. One of the major components of my programming is a series of monthly workshops that teach various techniques of printmaking, from linocut and wood block printing to etching and fabric prints. As the primary mission of black whole Press is to bridge the rampant opportunity and accessibility gaps within the medium of printmaking via education and resource-sharing, I also emphasize skills and processes that can be accomplished outside of a formal studio space while using affordable household materials. The workshops are taught primarily by BIPOC artists and printmakers, who are currently paid a competitive wage of $40 per hour. These courses are free and open to the public and encourage people of all levels of experience to sign up, from beginners to advanced. In addition, I have also conducted mobile, pop-up printmaking demonstrations and workshops at various venues ranging from community arts centers to gallery spaces.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Vocal Congruence Project

2025-07-21T00:00:00Z

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people often want to change the sound of their voices to better align with their gender identity. However, it is difficult to access professional services due to barriers like the escalating legislative attacks on gender affirming care, high costs of services, or lack of awareness. This means countless people go unserved by the current systems, a problem especially true of Pittsburgh. The Vocal Congruence Project (VCP, vocalcongruence.org) is a website developed to equip people with free information about navigating their next step for their voice. It contains wide-ranging guides and a map of 350+ voice providers and phonosurgeons internationally, so that people can overcome obstacles to care and make the most informed decisions possible. By increasing access to voice care, we improve quality of life and safety for the TGD community at a time when this is increasingly important.

Poughkeepsie, NY – The Healing Cookout - Wellness Day

2025-07-21T00:00:00Z

The Healing Cookout: A Wellness Day in Poughkeepsie is a free, public event created to promote wellness, joy, and community connection. It will bring together local wellness practitioners, artists, small businesses, and nonprofits to offer experiences focused on physical, emotional, and spiritual care. The event will include free yoga, sound healing, and a live DJ, along with wellness services, food vendors, art, and shopping opportunities. While there is no entry fee, guests will be able to purchase food, wellness items, and services at their discretion. This model supports local entrepreneurs while ensuring core offerings remain free and accessible to all. By blending the feel of a cookout with culturally relevant wellness experiences, this event creates a space that is welcoming and joyful. Our goal is to reach residents who may not typically see themselves reflected in traditional wellness spaces and invite them into something that feels affirming and rooted in community. We are prioritizing BIPOC-led businesses and healers, eliminating barriers to participation, and uplifting holistic health in a way that resonates with the spirit of Poughkeepsie. This is about creating new traditions of healing, care, and community celebration. The event will take place at a vibrant venue with full access to indoor and outdoor space, generously donated by Sundaze. The first 50 attendees will receive welcome bags with wellness samples and community resources. We will also host a raffle with items and services from participating vendors. These additions create a festive and inclusive atmosphere while supporting local talent. This is not a commercial or profit-driven event. It is a community offering, curated with care and intention to uplift the city we love.

Santa Cruz, CA – SATORI ARTS OPEN MIC PROJECT

2025-07-20T00:00:00Z

Satori arts is an engaging studio/venue for multiple events. It is the studio of performance artist Tom Brady who opens the space (no charge) for featured poet, spoken work, book launches. Satori receives donations from attendees to defray the cost of utilities and operational expenses. While these donations do not cover the operational expenses - but it helps. Four nights per month Satori co-sponsors events specifically focused on the Literary community hosting book launches, featuring dozens of local poets and hundreds of poets and spoken word artists in an OPEN MIC format. Our featured poets are asked to present 30 minutes of their work. Questions are encouraged at the conclusion. The evening open mic format provides time, both before and after the featured artist to present 5 minutes of their original poems, spoken word or excerpt from an original book they are working on. Poets receive no compensation. This grant funding would allow us to pay a $100 honorarium in the name of The Awesome Foundation to 10 featured artists. One per month.

Kingston – Travelling Knit Wits

2025-07-17T00:00:00Z

We are happy seniors knitting and crafting for home, community, and health., breaking social isolation barriers and reducing economic barriers. We are planning an adventure to Mary Maxium in Paris Ont. We hope to keep travel costs low for our community as most seniors are on fixt incomes. We hope to pay for the Mccoys bus, we already have a donation and are 1,000 short. Our hope is that community knitters can come experience the wonders of Mary Maxium and not incur the costs of getting there. Please choose us to pitch this would mean so much to our community of crafter.

Lake Mac – French Road Community Garden

2025-07-16T00:00:00Z

French Road Community Garden is a group of keen amateur gardeners who got together in mid-2024 to form a community garden open to anyone in the local community who is interested. The garden is currently in an establishment phase. Kits have been acquired to build three raised "wicking" garden beds in the back yard of the church. The project will involve the provision of additional facilities, including - ** Another 6 to 8 ‘wicking’ beds, with associated timber foundation bases. ** A recreational shade house, where gardeners can relax during their visits. ** Garden setting(s) for the shade house. An important element of the garden will be the Bush Tucker plot, with several local indigenous residents providing guidance on this ‘special’ element. Consideration will be given to nurturing such items as the fruits quandong, kutjera, muntries, riberry, Davidson's plum, and finger lime. Native spices include lemon myrtle, mountain pepper, and the kakadu plum, and a popular leafy vegetable is warrigal greens. Produce from the garden will be available to garden group members, and also, where possible, contribute to the routine Community Lunch.

San Jose, CA – Baby clothes for homeless babies in San Jose

2025-07-15T00:00:00Z

Loved Twice will provide a wardrobe of baby clothes to 50 homeless newborns in San Jose. Each box contains 75 gently used, seasonally appropriate garments—onesies, pajamas, hats, socks, and blankets—lovingly packed and distributed through our trusted social service agency partners who support families in crisis. That’s 3,750 essential garments with a total retail value of $13,125, diverted from the landfill and delivered into the arms of those who need them most. With this grant, we will collect, sort, and curate high-quality secondhand baby clothing, assemble 50 wardrobes-in-a-box, and deliver them directly to homeless shelters, family resource centers, and health clinics across San Jose. This gift of clothing will provide comfort and dignity to newborns experiencing homelessness—meeting an urgent basic need during a vulnerable time in a baby’s life. Each year, we collect approximately 700,000 essential garments. They are packed into "wardrobes-in-a-box" in that each box contains enough clothing to keep a baby warm and clean through their first year of life. Each box contains 75 essential gently used garments in sizes 0-12 months.

Cass Clay – Reflections in Motion: The Art of the Kaleidoscope

2025-07-15T00:00:00Z

Hawley Elementary School is seeking funding to bring a dynamic, hands-on learning experience to all 90 of our fourth-grade students through the art and science of kaleidoscope-making. This innovative project blends creativity with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles, allowing students to explore symmetry, geometry, angles, light, and reflection in an engaging and interactive way. This journey into the world of kaleidoscopes began nearly a decade ago with a classroom demonstration led by our friend and master kaleidoscope artist, Rodney Haug. His breathtaking creations captivated students and sparked a curiosity that we’ve nurtured ever since. A few years ago, we took the next step—giving students the opportunity to create their own kaleidoscopes from scratch. The result? Joyful engagement, deep learning, and a lasting impression. This year, we're expanding the program and need your help to make it happen. With your support, students will work in small, collaborative groups to assemble their kaleidoscopes, fostering teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. The hands-on nature of the project ensures that learners of all styles and abilities can meaningfully connect with STEM content—and experience the satisfaction of building something beautiful and functional. Thanks to a generous donor, the past year’s project was fully funded. Now, with a local business offering PVC parts at cost, we have a unique opportunity to purchase supplies in bulk—covering material needs for 2–3 years and reducing long-term expenses. We envision a sustainable future for this project, with ongoing support from our PTO and a small student participation fee in the future. Materials Needed Per Student: 1 piece of 1.5" x 12" PVC pipe 1.5" PVC coupling 1.5" PVC end 2 acrylic mirrors 1 small round bead container By investing in this project, you’re helping to inspire the next generation of thinkers, tinkerers, and innovators—one kaleidoscope at a time.

Newburgh, NY – FREED to FEED

2025-07-13T00:00:00Z

FREED to FEED is After Incarceration's weekly Monday outreach outside the Newburgh Parole Field Office, serving formerly incarcerated community members reporting for parole and substance abuse treatment. Parole reporting can be emotionally complex. While physically free, people remain under the prison system's control, triggering trauma, fear, and feelings of entrapment. FREED to FEED interrupts these difficult moments with kindness and community support, providing emotional grounding before people return home. Our team watches for distress and creates space for sharing experiences with others who truly understand. We know how hard it is to explain these experiences to those who haven't lived them. We provide fresh fruits and vegetables from Newburgh Farmers Market vendors, grocery staples from Hannaford through Marc's Friends, bottled water, and books to draw, color, and read—nourishing body and mind. When available, we distribute diapers, milk, and gift cards for urgent needs. Most Newburgh residents know someone who's experienced incarceration, yet many don't know what to expect when loved ones return. FREED to FEED offers hope and guidance, emphasizing that release begins the journey of rebuilding relationships—work requiring support, patience, and healing. Our presence challenges harmful stereotypes. When neighbors see formerly incarcerated people caring for their community, it dispels destructive myths. Staffed by program alumni, youth leaders, and community partners, FREED to FEED serves 12-15 people weekly. Many more connect through referrals to Kingian Nonviolence workshops, restorative circles, and leadership programs. Food opens the door; dignity and healing are the goal. FREED to FEED nourishes bodies, restores hope, and reshapes narratives—showing formerly incarcerated people as essential to building the beloved community we all deserve.

Newburgh, NY – Newburgh Repair Café

2025-07-13T00:00:00Z

Repair Cafes are heartwarming community events that encourage and enable building personal connections while also teaching important repair skills. Local fixers sit across from neighbors they may never have met before while fixing their beloved but broken items, for free, at these joyful get-togethers. What is fixed at a repair cafe? Lamps, jewelry, clothing, furniture, bikes, beloved toys, computers–whatever walks in the door! Anyone who wants to learn to be a fixer can get involved at subsequent repair cafes–no one needs to be a professional, they just need to have a passion for helping, tinkering, and learning and we will pair them with a more experienced fixer who will teach them. At the end of a successful repair cafe, a significant number of items have been kept out of the landfill too. Unfortunately the Newburgh Repair Cafe hasn’t been held since May 2023. The original founder of the cafe moved away and the baton has recently been passed to us, Kate Clarke and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno at the Newburgh Free Library (NFL), which will also serve as the new location for the Newburgh Repair Cafe. After so much time, it is like starting a cafe from scratch in terms of the work to be done, but we know the city will be delighted to see it return. Newburgh is one of 10 Repair Cafes in Orange County and one of 70 in the network (www.repaircafehv.org). We will have the support of RCHV Coordinator, Suzie Fromer, who was very excited when we reached out as she has received numerous inquiries about when the Newburgh cafe would return. She has a thorough ‘to do’ list to help us approach this task, a large drive of shared resources and an active google group of the other RCHV coordinators. In addition, she has a fixer list and will reach out and connect us with many of the past cafe fixers so we know we are in good shape. We will also solicit new fixers from the community - the more the merrier!

St. Paul, MN – Family Literacy Fun Nights

2025-07-10T00:00:00Z

Congratulations to our July 2025 grant awardee East Side Learning Center. We chose ESLC for its work in bringing our community together and for providing reading initiatives. Executive Director Karmit Bulman says, “East Side Learning Center seeks funding for the Summer 2025 Spark: Igniting Young Minds Through Reading & Creativity program. During the summer, literacy programming is provided to students and their families. The program includes one-on-one reading tutoring, reader’s theatre and literacy games and activities. Parents and siblings are invited to gather weekly for literacy activities and a meal. This program currently serves residents of Liberty Plaza Housing Development, a subsidized residential community serving a large population of Somali immigrant families. Tutors use strengths-based approaches that incorporate a deep respect for each child as a person, and for the child’s family, culture, and language. There is also an emphasis on parent involvement; children and family members work together on foundational skills, such as letter recognition, decoding, and sight word vocabulary. By building these skills with parents, literacy becomes a family affair! “Family Engagement Evenings: during the summer, as well as a few times during the school year, ESLC hosts family-friendly events. During the summer, families come together weekly for a meal and to join in on literacy activities and see Reader's Theater performances.”

Westminster, MD – Pasture & Petal

2025-07-09T00:00:00Z

Pasture & Petal is a woman-owned, handcrafted skincare brand rooted in ancestral wisdom and holistic wellness located on Fiddlers Green Farm in Taneytown, Maryland. We specialize in tallow-based formulations made with 100% grass-fed tallow and thoughtfully chosen botanicals. Our products are designed to support the skin’s natural barrier, promoting balance, nourishment, and long-term skin health—especially for sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin. With a commitment to sustainability, we use eco-conscious packaging and source ingredients from ethical farms and suppliers. Each product is carefully made in small batches to ensure quality, integrity, and a deep connection to the land and tradition. Pasture & Petal exists to reconnect people to simpler, purer skincare—powered by nature, guided by tradition.

Ann Arbor, MI – 2025 Michigan Playwrights Festival

2025-07-09T00:00:00Z

The Michigan Playwrights Festival (MPF) is an annual celebration of new plays and new voices, hosted by Theatre NOVA in Ann Arbor. This project uplifts Michigan-based playwrights by offering them a platform to develop and publicly present original, full-length plays. The 2025 MPF will showcase 5-6 plays selected from open submissions, giving local writers the opportunity to see their scripts brought to life by professional artists. In 2025, we received 56 submissions–up from 36 the previous year. Each selected playwright receives a stipend, a rehearsal process with a director and actors, and feedback from artists and audiences. Public readings are offered at low cost (with pay-what-you-can tickets always available), making theatre accessible while fostering community engagement and dialogue. Facilitated talkbacks and written feedback help writers refine their scripts, often leading to future productions. In fact, “Eclipsed: The Sun, the Moon, and Gladys Atkinson Sweet” by Detroit playwright D.L. Patrick, featured in the 2024 MPF, was selected for a full production in our 2024–25 season. It became our best-selling show in over two years and spotlighted a century-old story of racial injustice in Detroit—honoring Black voices, stories, and artists. The MPF doesn't just support playwrights. Last year’s festival engaged over 40 Michigan-based artists and welcomed hundreds of audience members to connect with brand-new stories rooted in their communities. It’s a high-impact initiative that nurtures talent, amplifies underrepresented voices, and enriches Southeast Michigan’s cultural landscape. With support from the Awesome Foundation, we can expand outreach, increase artist compensation, and ensure this growing platform continues to inspire, educate, and connect.

San Francisco, CA – The Worst Film Festival

2025-07-08T00:00:00Z

The Worst Film Festival is Back! Where Flops are the Feature and Cringe Builds Community Move over Oscars, there's a new festival in town and it's gloriously bad. The Worst Film Festival is here to flip the script on failure and shine a spotlight on the projects that didn’t quite go as planned. Our mission? To bring creative missteps out of the shadows and celebrate them as necessary, hilarious, and even beautiful stepping stones on the path to artistic growth. Everyone has a project they'd rather forget - an overexposed short, a plotless epic, a sound mix that sounds like it was recorded in a wind tunnel - but at The Worst Film Festival these cinematic calamities take center stage. Because let’s be honest: failure is part of the process, and it’s time we embraced it. This isn't about mockery. It’s about meaning, and screenings are followed by a live Q&A. We believe that the worst work often paves the way for our best so we’re creating a space where filmmakers of all sorts can laugh, learn, and lift each other up, one glorious mess at a time. After the HUGE success of our inaugural year we are excited to bring this festival back to our community. The Worst Film Festival was founded in 2024 by Danielle Cheifetz (Founder & Producer, Kraken Cove Productions), Cheryl Isaacson (Founder & Director, Lincoln Street Studios), and Keren Southall (Producer).

Philadelphia, PA – Bryant Blacktop Beautification

2025-07-08T00:00:00Z

We are a neighborhood school in West Philadelphia whose students LOVE team sports and physical exercise. Our students stay for hours after school and on the weekends to play soccer, basektball, football, and other sports in our yard. We want to give them a space that fits all their needs. We are looking to paint regulation court and field marks, create "hang out" zones with picnic tables and gardens, and really just revitalize our school yard to be a fun and safe space for our students to find joy in physical exercise year round.

Orlando, FL – A Day of Free Music all Around Orange County

2025-07-07T00:00:00Z

On Saturday 6/21/25, Central Floridians will see fun and unique musical performances take place across their community. It might be a string quartet playing in a grocery store, or a kazoo choir performing in a storefront, or a singer-songwriter on the steps of the Orange County Administration Building, all day and all for free. Dozens of cities across the United States (and several countries around the globe!) celebrate Make Music Day annually on June 21st, and this year, we want Orange County to experience the joy of free live music throughout the community, too! Orange County will celebrate its inaugural Make Music Day in 2025, with musical performances at the Orange County Administration Center, the Orange County Multicultural Center, and at private businesses throughout the County (such as Bynx Coffee and Maxine’s on Shine.) Anyone can sign up to host a performance, or to give a musical performance, so long as it is free to attend. An online website provides “matchmaking” services to connect musicians and host locations to make the process easy – that same website also lists all of the performances happening so residents and visitors can check out free music in their community! United Arts of Central Florida and Orange County’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs will work together to support the celebration. United Arts serves as the partner of record, and the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs staff maintains the Make Music Day website and matchmaking website required to connect artists with host venues. Both organizations will promote the celebration to artists, venues, and audiences. In its inaugural year, Make Music Orange County will have approximately one dozen performances at four host locations throughout Orange County, with expectations to grow and expand in 2026 and beyond.

On the Water – Flotsam River Circus - 2025 Hudson River Tour

2025-07-07T00:00:00Z

Flotsam River Circus is a troupe of musicians, puppeteers, and circus artists traveling on a ramshackle raft, giving free performances in riverfront towns. Inspired by the American showboat tradition and modern floating art projects, Flotsam features a rotating cast of internationally renowned performers. In 2025, in celebration of the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial, Flotsam will voyage from Buffalo to New York City via the Erie Canal and Hudson River, performing in over 35 communities along the way—including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and NYC. Flotsam’s stage is a 33-foot circus raft, often doubling as our home. Since our 2019 debut down Oregon’s Willamette River, we’ve brought our show to Seattle’s waterways, the Sacramento River, the Upper Mississippi in 2023, and the entire Ohio River in 2024. More information at: www.rivercircus.com