tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/pt/projects?page=8Awesome Foundation - Projects2025-07-08T01:21:21Ztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3547142025-07-07T00:00:00Z2025-07-08T01:21:21ZOn the Water – The Great River ParadeOn July 19th, bands on decorated pontoon boats will float down the Chicago river. Each boat will stop at three locations along the river. The band will disembark onto a floating stage. From there they will perform a set of music for an audience on shore.
This project is the culmination of several secret river shows. Over the past 4 years, I have been hosting bands on a pylon in the Chicago river. The city of Chicago awarded me a DCASE grant for my proposal to record an album and produce a river parade.
The purpose of the parade is to draw attention to the river and highlight the value of arts funding in the city of Chicago. If more people begin to engage with the river, policies that clean it and develop it can gain more traction. The parade also highlights the talent of the Chicago music scene.Ben KinsingerThe Great River Paradehttp://LawrenceTome.comWorldwideOn the Waterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/onthewatertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3527562025-07-02T00:00:00Z2025-09-01T03:43:39ZNewcastle – Launch The Longway FoundationEveryone deserves a second chance — some just need someone who gets it.
I’m Daniel Cook, host of The Long Way Round Show, where we share real stories of resilience — from addiction, trauma, and prison to business, purpose, and healing.
Now I’m launching The Longway Foundation — a mentorship and support initiative to walk alongside those rebuilding from the ground up. This isn’t a program written by suits. It’s built by someone who’s lived it.
With your help, we’ll:
✅ Pair people with mentors who’ve walked the hard road
✅ Offer free resume help and job support
✅ Create downloadable eBooks, tools, and mental health resources
✅ Build a network of second chances — one story at a time
In our first 6 months, we aim to support 10–15 people with real structure and real care. But we can’t do it without you.
Every dollar gets us closer to building a foundation for those trying to rise.
Thank you for believing in this mission. Let’s walk the long way round — together.daniel cookLaunch The Longway Foundationhttps://chuffed.org/project/135275-launch-the-longway-foundationAustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3523982025-07-02T00:00:00Z2025-07-03T02:38:28ZNewmarket – Sensory Kits for Neurodiverse ChildrenFor Little Monkeys Charity is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to designing and donating sensory rooms, as well as curating and providing sensory kits for families with neurodiverse children. Our organization aims to assist these vulnerable children in developing essential skills through sensory play, fostering the enhancement of gross motor, fine motor, communication, social, and sensory regulation abilities. Over the years, we have received numerous impact statements from families who have benefitted from our efforts, which we post on our Instagram page @forlittlemonkeyscharity and our website (www.forlittlemonkeyscharity.ca). Given the lack of sufficient support for families with neurodiverse children, we are committed to doing our part to help these children achieve their full potential.Natalie CiminiSensory Kits for Neurodiverse Childrenhttp://www.forlittlemonkeyscharity.caCanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3541862025-07-02T00:00:00Z2025-07-02T12:01:03ZSydney – Play & Learn Vietnamese for pre-schoolersResearch consistently shows that maintaining a home language and supporting multilingual education benefit children’s wellbeing, identity development, and future social participation. Play & Learn Vietnamese is a pioneering initiative by VietSchool that promotes multilingualism from the earliest years of life. This program offers free, one-hour Vietnamese language sessions each week to preschool-aged children in childcare centres across Sydney, using a specially developed curriculum tailored for this age group (https://www.facebook.com/vietschool.au/).
The idea originates from our findings in the VietSpeech ARC project, which highlights that early childhood is the most effective time to support home language development (https://www.csu.edu.au/research/vietspeech/overview). While government support exists for community language education from Kindergarten to Year 12, the preschool sector remains largely overlooked. Play & Learn Vietnamese aims to fill that gap.
We launched a call for expressions of interest earlier this month, and four Montessori centres in Sydney immediately registered. Our first sessions began in April at Croydon and Strathfield Montessori, with more centres eagerly awaiting our arrival, including Fairy Kingdom Childcare Centre (Revesby), Burwood Montessori, and Earlwood Montessori.
Each session engages around 15 enthusiastic pre-schoolers, including both children with Vietnamese heritage and those from non-Vietnamese backgrounds, who sing, dance, colour, and learn through play. It’s incredible to witness how quickly and joyfully they learn and interact in the language.
This project not only nurtures a love of languages but also fosters appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion from a young age. With the Awesome Foundation’s support, we hope to expand this initiative and eventually adapt it to other community languages, bringing the joy of early multilingual learning to even more children across Sydney.
Van TranPlay & Learn Vietnamese for pre-schoolershttps://www.facebook.com/vietschool.au/AustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3468402025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-07-09T18:42:13ZNew York City, NY – The Jungle Festival!We're excited that our June grant has been awarded to **The Jungle Festival**, a dynamic musical experience that mixes DJ and live musicianship in an electric jam while showcasing New York's emerging talent with an artist showcase. Since 2023, they have provided a platform for 70+ musicians sharing original music ranging from indie rock to classical and experimental jazz, what they like to call **AFRO JAZZ**!
This past July 4th, the folks behind The Jungle put together their first ever free Jungle Festival at Sleepwalk in Bushwick, featuring several artists original performances along with a DJ and major jam session at the end.
In their own words: _"For many of our younger (and older) musicians we have connected with - a chance to play at The Jungle and create their own set has been a first. We see musicians who have just been friends come together to create music and go on to collaborate simply because they had the opportunity and safety to just BE at The Jungle. The jam session is one of the most freeing, fun, experiences for true collaboration to happen. Nowadays, nightlife is about posturing, what you wear, and acting cool. The Jungle is a safe, free space to let go and get free. The Jungle Festival will be that and more because it welcomes the community and inspires creative release._
_"We are deeply grateful to the Awesome Grant for its generous support of The Jungle Festival — our vibrant, grassroots music and culture celebration. This grant has helped us bring to life a powerful vision rooted in community, rhythm, and musical creative expression. The Jungle Festival is more than just a music event; it is a cultural gathering space through the exploration of sounds. With this support, we’ve been able to compensate musicians, deepen audience engagement, and continue building a platform that honors the beauty and brilliance of our collective artistic voices. Thank you for believing in our work."_
Kwesi AbbensettsThe Jungle Festival!http://linktr.ee/thejungleworldwideUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3503362025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-07-22T00:42:53ZOttawa – Ottawa High Hookers June’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Colleen Gray and the Ottawa High Hookers to support the local arm wrestling community.
The Ottawa High Hookers are a wrestling club operating out of an inconspicuous suburban garage in Nepean. Club members get together twice a week not only to practice but also for pot-lucks, BBQs, and more.
“We celebrate birthdays, special occasions, and even a marriage through our club,” says Colleen. “I actually married my best friend, who is also an arm wrestler!”
The club is holding their first annual High Hookers Day celebration on July 26, with food, drinks, music, and, of course, lots of arm wrestling.Colleen Gray Ottawa High Hookers https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064683007400CanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3526712025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-07-03T23:22:37ZDisability – Neuro Fitness Foundation: Community Bowling EventAt Neuro Fitness Foundation (NFF) we aim to do fundraising events in order to ensure we do not have to raise the gym fees for our members who have a range of neurological diseases and are generally low income. Our long term goal is to have an active fundraising stream that will make the gym free again for members since we had to start charging with reduced membership during and following COVID. One flagship event we host annually is our bowling event. This event aims to bring together members from our gym and community partners such as university student interns and physical therapy clinic staff in a fun filled afternoon of sport. This event is great because it is adaptable to the varying abilities of the NFF members and we try to have any many participate as possible. Cost is often a barrier to members forming groups so our proposal is focused on obtaining fund to sponsor teams of members from the NFF community. This will help them to engage in the event for fun and community building.
**What our grantee is saying:** “We sincerely appreciate the grant from Awesome Disability. Your support makes it possible for us to sponsor a fun-filled day of bowling, providing our members with a meaningful opportunity to connect, socialize, and enjoy quality time with family, friends, and fellow members.
This event holds special significance, offering some participants a rare chance to engage with the community and stay active. For over 27 years, the Neuro Fitness Foundation has been dedicated to fostering vital social connections, strengthening community bonds, and promoting the health and well-being of our members, their families, and caregivers. Your generosity directly helps us advance our mission of supporting their physical and mental health.”Thuy LayhewNeuro Fitness Foundation: Community Bowling Eventhttps://neurofitnessfoundation.org/WorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3528582025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-07-12T17:55:21ZToronto – Masabilities: Disability CarnivalMasabilities: Carnival Without Limits was created with the mission to create an inclusive Caribbean Carnival Dance to address the needs of the Disabled African, Caribbean, Black Community. Founded by Marty Lampkin (she/her) who lives by the motto "my ancestors did not die for me to remain silent"; Masabilities was birthed out of Marty's love for Carnival but discontent with the erasure of the Black Disability Community from the celebrations and festivities. Marty set out to build something different without funding or grant supports in 2024
Masabilities's mission is to create an inclusive, liberating and accessible Carnival MAS dance experience celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture, identity and inclusion through a Disability-affirming lens. This event is more than a dance celebration as it focuses on addressing ableism currently in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade that results in exclusion, isolation and segregation for Disabled African, Caribbean, Black community members.
Launched in partnership with Monique Pitt which honoured Afro-Caribbean Black Disabled individuals of all ages including their caregivers / case support workers to show up authentically themselves and participate in the joys of Carnival / playing a Mas. Last year, over 50 disabled members attended with disabilities across the spectrum of Physical disabilities, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum, Intellectual Disabilities and Learning Disabilities.
The funding from the Awesome foundation will be used to cover an Accessibility package, which will make the dance inclusive and liberatory by covering expenses directly related to the ASL interpreters, sensory items, blind/ low vision guides, the inclusive disability dance instructor and the steel pan educational instructor.
Everyone deserves to participate in the celebrations of carnival and Afro-Caribbean resistance. Because folks are disabled does not mean as society they should not be erased from these experiences of carnival, music, dance, festivities and community building.Marty LampkinMasabilities: Disability Carnivalhttps://www.martylampkinspeaks.com/masabilities-carnivalwithoutlimitsCanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3534592025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-08-10T16:58:37ZLiverpool (Inativo) – Chaos Arts | LGBTQIA+ Dance classes Since January, we’ve been running free weekly dance classes for the LGBTQIA+ community of Liverpool City Region at studios on Hope Street in Liverpool City Centre. These classes provide a vital safe space for queer people to engage in physical activity, socialise, and connect.
The project tackles health & wellbeing inequalities by promoting fitness, reducing isolation, and offering alternatives to nightlife-focused socialising. Participants are also given the chance to perform at events throughout the year.
So far, over 50 queer people aged 18+ from across the region have taken part. In April, the group performed publicly for the first time at Leap Festival’s community event at Sefton Park Palm House, dancing for an audience of 500+.
The impact has been profound. We've built a regular post-class social where members connect and relax. Core members now attend weekly, have performed publicly, attended live performances, and volunteered at Leap Festival events.
Recent changes in law regarding Trans people and the loss of Liverpool Pride for 2025 has meant that this project is more vital than ever as the community looks to alternative ways to connect and respond to the increasing scrutiny and hatred in a safe space.
As an organisation our core purpose is to improve the lives of people in Liverpool City Region through active participation in arts activity and we know first hand that this project improves the lives of our participants.
Paul DoyleChaos Arts | LGBTQIA+ Dance classes http://www.leapfestival.co.ukUnited KingdomLiverpool (Inativo)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3539142025-06-30T00:00:00Z2025-07-12T22:20:02ZWashington, DC – Karaoke in the CemeteryConceived as a transient experience, Karaoke in the Cemetery creates a platform for participants to express emotions like grief and rage through the act of singing together. By bringing this intimate, vulnerable, and potentially loud activity into the cemetery, the project works to create an atmosphere of impromptu opportunity and collaborative creation. Participants will be invited to sing, listen, dance, or make a raucous or emotional mess together, shattering cultural expectations that grief should be kept silent.
As an artist, my work often takes the form of a collaboration with the public and I’m interested in how Karaoke can provide both a catharsis for individuals and a collective demonstration of our shared humanity. Music is deeply nourishing, and audio cues serve as a bridge to our memories and shared experiences. Singing, especially in a group, can open a channel for mourning and renewal. I hope this project serves to remind people that hope and sorrow can coexist, that both can be expressed—and perhaps transformed—through music.
For years, I’ve been dreaming about creating this project for the cemetery to reimagine how we engage with grief, memory, and communal expression. Like my previous works, the project centers on experiences of listening, commemoration, and community, enlisting the audience as collaborators to help determine the content and create an archive to memorialize it once it has passed.
Prior to the launch of Karaoke in the Cemetery at Congressional on August 1, I’m creating a web site where visitors can build a roster of song options and sign up for the event. This site will serve as an initial form of engagement, a document co-created and curated by the public. At the end of the project, the online song collection becomes an archive, a living repository that will be made accessible for the public use. As with all my work, I seek to foster individual and collective engagement that will last well beyond the scope of one project.
Leigh DavisKaraoke in the Cemeteryhttps://www.leighdavisprojects.com/karaoke-in-the-cemeteryUnited StatesWashington, DChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/dctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3507852025-06-25T00:00:00Z2025-06-25T19:50:46ZYerevan – Unique street signs of Ujan!Ujan is proud to be the birthplace of a truly unique and flavorful variety of peach – the Ujan Peach. To honor this rich agricultural heritage and create a distinctive identity for the village, we are launching a community branding initiative under the slogan:
“The Real Ujan Peach is Only in Ujan.”
Key Element of the Project:
Peach-Shaped Street Number Boards:
In a creative twist, all street number signs in the village will be redesigned in the shape of a peach. This small but powerful detail will reinforce the branding throughout the village, making the experience of walking through Ujan both charming and memorable.
Vahagn MosinyanUnique street signs of Ujan!ArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3535902025-06-25T00:00:00Z2025-06-26T13:13:24ZState College, PA – Silver & Savvy: Bringing AI to Our SeniorsWe aim to create a series of accessible, hands-on workshops that introduce older adults to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that are practical and engaging. Many seniors encounter AI daily—through smart speakers, healthcare apps, or financial tools—but often feel uncertain or left behind by rapid technological changes. Our workshops will demystify AI by focusing on real-life applications that can enhance seniors' independence, safety, health, and social connections.
Key topics will include health monitoring (using smartwatches or telehealth apps to track vital signs and medications), online safety (how AI detects scams and protects privacy), smart home devices (voice assistants and security), and AI-powered communication tools that help seniors stay connected to family and friends. We will also help participants recognize AI-generated content designed to mislead or scam them, such as deepfakes, phishing emails, or fraudulent chatbots, giving them practical tools to stay vigilant in an increasingly digital world. Each session will be interactive, hands-on, and paced to match participants’ comfort levels. We will use plain language, avoid technical jargon, and provide opportunities for participants to practice using devices directly in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
The grant will allow us to create a fully developed prototype of the workshop series, including curriculum, materials, and delivery methods, that we can refine based on participant feedback. Once tested, this prototype can serve as a model we replicate at additional sites, multiplying the long-term impact of this initial investment and reaching many more seniors across Centre County and beyond. Workshops will be offered at community centers, libraries, and senior living facilities, where participants already feel comfortable. Over time, we aim to build a lasting learning community where seniors feel empowered to confidently engage with AI technologies in their daily lives.Wael JabrSilver & Savvy: Bringing AI to Our Seniorshttps://onehandfoundation.org/United StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3537612025-06-25T00:00:00Z2025-06-27T11:53:00ZRhode Island – The Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire This month AFRI is supporting "The Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire, an audioseries produced in Providence and largely set in Rhode Island/New England.
The Diaries is a fun, low-fantasy vampire story about recovery from trauma, evolving over the years alongside creator Hugo Pierre Martin who adds, "It's definitely a love-letter to this city I call home. "
Funds support the hiring of local talent along with general production.Hugo Pierre MartinThe Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire https://netovampire.com/United StatesRhode Islandhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/rhodeislandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3545582025-06-25T00:00:00Z2025-06-26T13:13:11ZState College, PA – New Ground Orchestra FestivalThe New Ground Orchestra Festival is bringing professional women musicians from our local community, throughout Pennsylvania, the east coast, and even as far as Washington state and Belgium to State College from July 22nd through July 26th. The time will be spent focusing on health and well-being, intentional connection with the local community, and invigorating the rehearsal process to close with an exciting concert that includes the east coast premiere of "Immortal Beloved" for violin and orchestra.
Health and well-being ~ Through therapeutic sessions: journaling (led by Carolyne Meehan), singing (led by Patti Begg), Eurythmy (a movement art that I will lead), and selfcare sessions led by Revive Massage, the musicians will receive support for their own growth and development, allowing them to inspire and bring to new life to their playing.
Intentional connection with the local community: Each morning the musicians will give their helping hands to a local organization. The following organizations will welcome the musicians for community service: ClearWater Conservancy, Plowshare Produce, and Centre Safe.
The festival will close with a concert on Friday, July 25th in the Recital Hall at the Penn State School of Music. The concert is free to the public and donations will be collected for Centre Safe.
As a musician it is essential that we maintain our passion and inspiration for performing so that we can give a wealth of inspiration and strength to our audiences. Often the realities of a professional musician's schedule does not allow time to focus on health and how we can best connect with and serve our community with our gifts. The festival has been created to give women musicians a window of time to work and grow professionally, while also strengthening themselves through connection with the local community, therapeutic artistic exercises, and support in self-care.Rebekah Kathleen O'BrienNew Ground Orchestra FestivalUnited StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3517892025-06-24T00:00:00Z2025-06-26T15:23:49ZChicago, IL – Music In The Gardens Aldridge Elementary is seeking funding to repair and purchase used band instruments through Kagan and Gaines Music Co., Inc. to expand our morning band program. When the music program was reintroduced in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, we began rebuilding from scratch. Currently, only nine students participate due to a lack of functional instruments. Many more have expressed interest, but the program cannot grow without access to quality, playable instruments.
Our school is located within a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) public housing project on the far South Side of Chicago. As a Title I school serving a predominantly Black student population, we face significant challenges related to systemic underfunding and limited access to arts education. By repairing and purchasing instruments, we aim to create a sustainable instrument bank that allows more students to join the band each year, regardless of their families’ financial means.
This project also prepares students for participation in the Illinois Solo & Ensemble Contest, a key milestone that supports technical development, builds confidence, and raises Aldridge’s visibility within the broader CPS arts community. Repaired instruments will remain in our inventory and serve students for years to come, creating a long-term impact on music access and equity in our school community.
We believe every student deserves the chance to experience the joy, discipline, and lifelong skills that come from being part of a band. With your support, we can provide more instruments, more access, and more opportunity—for students today and in the future.Daniel KumapayiMusic In The Gardens https://aldridgeeagles.org/United StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3511152025-06-23T00:00:00Z2025-07-21T21:01:08ZPittsburgh, PA – The One with the Ice and Cups-Teetotal InitiativeTeetotal Initiative is a nonprofit founded in 2023 to support individuals sustaining sobriety and recovery through free, high-quality events that reduce isolation, boredom, and loneliness—some of the most common causes of relapse. We are holding a Mocktail Mixer, which is our first major fundraiser and Pittsburgh’s first-ever zero-proof cocktail competition! We’ll bring together attendees and Pittsburgh’s best restaurants and bars at CoHatch South Side Works for an unforgettable evening of mocktail sampling, raffle basket fundraising, and community-building. Guests will taste the innovative creations and vote in person to crown “Best Mocktail in the Burgh.”
From cooking classes and creative arts to sober comedy nights and holistic workshops, Teetotal Initiative’s events make recovery feel social, engaging, and full of life. Jackie SlaugenhauptThe One with the Ice and Cups-Teetotal Initiativehttp://www.teetotal.orgUnited StatesPittsburgh, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/pittsburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3531492025-06-20T00:00:00Z2025-08-08T16:17:26ZOahu, HI – Palm ProtectorsAloha! I founded Palm Protectors because I refuse to accept a Hawaii without coconut trees.
TLDR: Our site is almost complete: https://www.palmprotectors.org/
We're building Hawaii's premier conservation network to save our iconic coconut trees from invasive rhinoceros beetles through community funding and expert partnerships.
The threat from the invasive rhinoceros beetles is severe and worsening rapidly. They have been systematically destroying our iconic palms—boring into tree crowns and killing them from the inside out. Century-old coconut trees that survived hurricanes and tsunamis are being reduced to hollow stumps by insects the size of your thumb. What started on Oahu has spread across multiple islands, and the damage accelerates every month.
Here's what haunts me: this crisis is completely solvable and is a marketing problem. We have treatments that work and research showing promise. What we lack is coordinated effort and resources at the scale this emergency demands.
Palm Protectors tackles this through three focused strategies:
Urgent Awareness - building a movement of people who understand what we stand to lose (coconut palm trees).
Immediate Action - funding emergency treatment for infected trees and preventive care for healthy ones through partnerships with certified arborists and pest control specialists.
Strategic Research - investing in biocontrol methods, resistant palm varieties, and early detection systems with University of Hawaii and other institutions.
We're creating Hawaii's premier palm conservation network, channeling community donations to vetted partners across all islands. Every month we delay, we lose irreplaceable trees forever—trees that aren't just scenery, but deeply woven into who we are as Hawaii.
Mahalo for any help!Roarke ClintonPalm Protectorshttps://www.palmprotectors.org/United StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3478902025-06-19T00:00:00Z2026-03-25T12:41:58ZMiami, FL – Kairos Care Kits: Restoring Confidence One BackpacAt Kairos Ubuntu Foundation, we’re launching our first-ever Back-to-School Community Event to serve children in South Florida who are affected by trauma, displacement, and poverty. But we’re not just giving out backpacks — we’re restoring dignity.
Our Kairos Care Kits are trauma-informed school prep kits that include not only supplies like pencils and notebooks, but also hygiene essentials, affirmation cards, and emotional wellness tools designed to help children walk into the school year with confidence, peace, and hope.
The $1,000 grant will allow us to create 50 full Kairos Care Kits — complete with age-specific items and a handwritten note of encouragement in each. This project is deeply personal: many of the kids we serve are survivors of domestic violence, children in transitional housing, or youth navigating instability. These kits are more than supplies — they’re symbolic declarations that these kids matter.
Our vision is to launch this event in July 2025, with music, food, games, and resource booths, and to scale it annually across more cities. But it starts here. With 50 children. With 50 backpacks. With one awesome act of community love.Valerie BastienKairos Care Kits: Restoring Confidence One Backpachttp://www.kairosubuntu.orgUnited StatesMiami, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/miamitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3511992025-06-19T00:00:00Z2025-06-20T01:07:12ZGloucester, MA – Sea CirlcesSea Circles is a summer surf series for self-identified girls. We meet every Tuesday, starting July 1st- August 26th. from 6-8 pm at either Good Harbor Beach or Long Beach.
Sea Circles is much more than a surf lesson. It’s a community-based program that harnesses the transformative power of the ocean to support emotional well-being, self-expression, and leadership in girls. Surfing becomes a vehicle for positive self-development, inviting participants to engage not only with the waves but with themselves and one another. At Sea Circles, we encourage participants to connect with their mind, heart, and body. The ocean brings us into the present moment, a place where we can access peace, perspective, and renewed optimism. As we learn to ride the waves, we also learn to navigate emotions, challenge our limits, and awaken a sense of awe and belonging.
Sea Circles is designed specifically for self-identified girls, recognizing that girls still face gender-based marginalization. By creating intentional, affirming spaces free from social pressure, we invite participants to show up authentically and safely. This emotional safety is essential for confidence, expression, and healing.
Building confidence is a pillar of Sea Circles. Surfing is hard, and learning something difficult in a group setting reminds us that we are not alone. We all experience fear, frustration, and joy. We help participants recognize and reframe negative self-talk, celebrate progress, and build each other up. At each session, participants are invited to share something they’re proud of and offer a compliment to someone else, reinforcing personal growth and community care.
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated, supportive water women who act as mentors and role models. They create meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, encouragement, and a deep respect for the sea. These relationships are foundational to the Sea Circles experience.
Susan WoodSea Cirlceshttp://www.lovegrows.loveUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3525802025-06-19T00:00:00Z2025-06-23T19:28:16ZKingston – Robot in the ParkRobot in the Park is raising environmental awareness through creative robot art, first with Robot Butterfly!
This initiative has two parts: a hands-on workshop and public park activities.
We’re running a Robot Butterfly workshop at the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) STEM & Robotics Centre starting mid July. Eight youth participants will each build their own Robot Butterfly (https://robotmissions.org/store/product/robot-butterfly-kit/) from a kit, paying a reduced cost of $25. They will hands-on learn electronics soldering, assembling 3D printed pieces, and firmware programming. They keep their Robot Butterfly and can have it featured in the Robot in the Park activities, where others can interact with their creations.
Our Robot in the Park (https://robotinthepark.org/) public activities run throughout the summer in Kingston’s parks and are free to attend. Perfect for young and old who enjoy learning more about nature and technology. In this real-world adventure game, participants embark on nature-technology quests, using illustrated guide cards to learn facts about wildlife and observe details in nature. To complete the challenge, they interact with the Robot Butterflies nestled near plants, learning how it responds to the environment. We previously ran a similar version in Ottawa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC-aEnBU9cg) which was a big hit with all ages.
We’re proud to partner with BGC (https://www.bgcsoutheast.ca/programs/education-and-stem/). They are one of Canada’s largest youth STEM centres, supporting over 1,200 youth from equity-deserving groups. BGC will manage registration, launching June 20, and host the workshops in their inspiring space.
Support from Awesome Kingston will make these workshops accessible, cover park fees, and supplies. Insurance, which is required for running the activities, has already been covered thanks to Erin’s speaker honorarium from a tech conference.
Erin RobotZwrrlRobot in the Parkhttps://robotinthepark.org/CanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3525012025-06-17T00:00:00Z2026-01-24T16:27:46ZUtrecht – De BuurtBakfiets - een ontmoetingsplek op wielenDe BuurtBakfiets (werktitel) wordt een ontmoetingsplek op wielen; een warm stukje thuis in de wijk, waar vreemden bekenden kunnen worden. Een plek waar mensen even tot rust mogen komen, en ongedwongen worden uitgenodigd om anderen te ontmoeten. Maar ook een plaats waar de bezoeker zich gesteund en gezien mag voelen.
Dit project is mijn poging tot verzachting in een verhardende polariserende maatschappij. Waar een warme kop thee, een luisterend oor of goede gesprekken zorgen voor meer gemeenschapszin, empathie en vertrouwen in de buurt.
Voor nu is mijn idee om de bakfiets(en) uit te rusten met een theebar, een mini-bieb, spelletjes of verbindende activiteiten, en vooral; een warm, sociaal en verwelkomend persoon. Maar de vorm is modulair en aangepast aan de behoeftes van de buurt en haar bewoners.
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Dit BuurtBakfiets-idee is ontstaan vanuit het geven van (gratis) theeceremonies op straat. Vanuit dit experiment kwamen er veel mooie ontmoetingen. Maar ook werd duidelijk hoeveel eenzaamheid er leeft, en hoe groot het verlangen is naar verbinding. Daarnaast viel mij op dat het openstellen van een gezellige pop-up plek mensen aantrok die hulpbehoevend waren, maar vaak niet wisten waar ze hulp konden vinden:
De buurthuizen zijn te goed verstopt of rijk aan stigma’s, de luisterlijnen zijn onbekend of te spannend, en de spontane warme ontmoetingen zonder enige transactionele aard zijn er tegenwoordig nog maar weinig.
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Om dit geheel te testen wil ik een pilot draaien in juli. Om van daaruit mee te kunnen groeien met de verlangens van de buurt, en ongeziene kansen en potentie mee te nemen in het eerste ‘echte’ ontwerp. En als blijkt dat dit verlangd wordt, om uiteindelijk in elke stad meerdere BuurtBakfietsen te hebben staan.
Dus, naar mijn idee een Awesome idee, met de potentie om iets nieuws en toch als vanouds te brengen; de 'ouderwetse' dorpse gemeenschapszin, in een nieuw en hedendaags jasje.
Mittch MareeDe BuurtBakfiets - een ontmoetingsplek op wielenNetherlandsUtrechthttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/utrechttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3517562025-06-16T00:00:00Z2025-07-10T09:13:42ZPoughkeepsie, NY – Yoga for Toddlers & PreschoolCommunity Family Development is is a nonprofit early childhood education center committed to nurturing the holistic development of children ages 18 months to 5 years. We respectfully request funding in the amount of $[insert amount] to implement a Yoga for Young Children program. This initiative will bring weekly yoga classes to our toddler and preschool classrooms, promoting physical health, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and school readiness among our students—many of whom face socioeconomic challenges.Jaime HylaYoga for Toddlers & Preschoolhttp://www.communityfamilydevelopment.orgUnited StatesPoughkeepsie, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/poughkeepsietag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3356762025-06-15T00:00:00Z2025-06-15T22:48:54ZDragon Dreaming – DragonTree: A Collective Dreaming Board Game**The Game**
In 2016, a vision was set in motion: Could a board game embody the essence of Dragon Dreaming? Could play become a path to co-creation, collective intelligence, and regenerative action? The answer began to take form through sketches, storytelling, and experiments with participatory arts. Over the years, The DragonTree evolved, shaped by workshops, prototypes, and the wisdom of those who engaged with it.
**The Quest**
Now, in 2025, the time has come to bring this game to life. The DragonTree is entering its final stage, ready to be shared with the world as a tool for learning, playing, and transforming together. It is a game where winning means collaborating skillfully, where wisdom is gained through nimble, purposeful action, and where true success is only achieved as a collective.
**The Forest**
In this adventurous board game, four archetypal characters—The Magician, The Pioneer, The Bridge-Builder, and The Dragon Lady—embark on a journey toward the Earth Gate, a symbol of regenerative culture and collective flourishing. Along the way, they discover that their greatest challenge is not the obstacles ahead but their ability to collaborate effectively.
**The Council**
Each character has unique superpowers that allow them to move, support others, and influence the game dynamics. But only by working together can they reach the center and complete their quest. The game reflects Dragon Dreaming’s fourfold path—Dreaming, Planning, Doing, and Celebrating—where action is guided by deep listening, intuition, and shared vision
**The Bridge**
The game serves as a connector, linking players to global networks of place-based activism, Dragon Dreaming practitioners, and regenerative communities. It is Accessible to All Ages & Backgrounds, Merging arts, storytelling, and systems sensing, to invite intergenerational and intercultural participation for a win win win futures.
**How I will use the money:**
This grant will bring The DragonTree to life by supporting:
1. Co-Design & Refinement (25%) – Host sessions to fine-tune game mechanics, storytelling, and play dynamics.
2. Visual Development (25%) – Create artwork, board design, and an intuitive rulebook.
3. Open-Source Publication (25%) – Produce a printable version, making the game widely accessible.
4. Hybrid Launch Party (25%) – Organize an in-person and online event to introduce The DragonTree to the world
**A little about me:**
I am Uri Noy Meir, a practitioner and facilitator dedicated to bringing together arts, storytelling, and participatory practices to promote collective well-being and environmental regeneration. My work revolves around creating spaces where individuals and communities can tap into their collective intelligence and creativity to address social and ecological challenges. Dragon Dreaming has been a core community and compass on my journey.
**Apart from the money, how else can the broader Dragon Dreaming community help you?**
A community to co design, refine, test and launch the game into the world
Amount funded: 666 eurosUri Noy meirDragonTree: A Collective Dreaming Board GameWorldwideDragon Dreaminghttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/dragondreamingtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3464002025-06-15T00:00:00Z2025-06-13T14:57:57ZCass Clay – Flutterby Fest (A Celebration of Pollinators)Some collaborators and I have scheduled and planned a celebration of all things pollinators and native plants. This will be a family friendly event held at Gooseberry Park in Moorhead, MN on June 17, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm. A variety of activities will take place, including a "facelift" for one of the needy, weedy garden areas near the playground. Before the event, the organizing team will select a site and prepare it for planting native plants to support pollinators and other wildlife. Adults and children will be invited to plant plugs of native plants appropriate for the spot. The organizational team will add educational signage and continue to care for the site. In addition to the plug planting, we will have printed educational material to share and a display about the importance of native plants. We will have a variety of activities, such as seed paper making, bee house making, planting echinacea seeds to take home, stories about pollinators, plants and birds, a tree walk, face painting and food.
In addition to supporting one of Moorhead's parks by reviving a garden area, our big goal is to provide hands on education about native plants. We hope to encourage community members to continue learning about the importance of native plants. We will provide hands on experience and information to help citizens gain confidence and interest in adding native plants to landscapes in our parks, public spaces, commercial and city spaces and even private yards. We hope to build a movement to increase native habitat and wildlife in our urban spaces, to beautify our city, to enrich our quality of life, and to support our ecosystem.
The team supporting this project are:
*Jillian Patrie, University of Minnesota Extension
*Crystal Rayamajhi, U of M Extension
*Noelle Harden, U of M Extension
*Sydney Stock, U of M Extension Master Gardener Intern
*Martha Wheeler, U of M Extension Master Gardener InternMartha Kathryn WheelerFlutterby Fest (A Celebration of Pollinators)http://NAUnited StatesCass Clayhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/cassclaytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3160792025-06-12T00:00:00Z2025-06-27T01:00:36ZSt. Paul, MN – Community Driven Food RescueAwesomeStPaul is proud to announce our June 2025 grantee, Communty-driven Food Rescue. This program rescues surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to those most in need.
A significant percentage of food, especially produce, in this country is discarded despite being perfectly good. This occurs at co-ops, grocery stores, restaurants, catering businesses, and distribution warehouses to make space for new shipments.
We build relationships with grocery stores, food co-ops, restaurants, and other food distributors to rescue healthy surplus food. Every week, we conduct regular pickups of large amounts of food that would traditionally go to waste. Most of the food is fresh produce, which is often harder for people in need to find. In recent years, our food source partners have included Metro Star Produce Distributor, Brake Bread, Green Grocer, Red Table Meats and Fresh Thyme Market.
We intentionally seek out food that would not be rescued by other organizations to ensure that our efforts are unique and impactful. We target smaller businesses like neighborhood groceries and restaurants, which are often overlooked by other food rescue programs. We provide ongoing training to these businesses, helping them identify and reduce food waste, thus increasing the amount of food we rescue over time.
We also partner with many local organizations, from soup kitchens to neighborhood food shelves, to ensure this food reaches the most disadvantaged. Distribution partners in recent years have included Merrick Family Services, Loaves & Fishes, Keystone Food Shelves (Frogtown, Midway, & Merriam Park), Neighborhood House, & many more. Christopher AllisonCommunity Driven Food Rescuehttp://www.community-driven.orgUnited StatesSt. Paul, MNhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/stpaultag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3369612025-06-12T00:00:00Z2025-06-13T01:48:13ZCleveland, OH – Trash FishThis project promotes accessibility to the one of the regions largest natural resources: the Cuyahoga River. Equipping our communities with resources turns this regional divide into a place for recreation and togetherness. Trash Fish gets people of all walks of life into a kayak and onto the water cleaning up trash!
Eddie paddles volunteers to places on the water where trash collects and provides an educational talk on the environmental justice issues regarding where plastics come from and how microplastics end up in Lake Erie which is the drinking water source for millions of people. As Trash Fishers are filling garbage bags full of garbage, they gain perspective on the destructive nature of single-use plastics.
This exercise leads to ownership over our natural resources in a tangible and pragmatic approach. Reduce your consumption of plastic. As Cleveland Scene has put it, this project helps "teach Clevelanders the easiest way to clean the river is to fundamentally change how they behave as consumers from the start.”Anton KriegerTrash Fishhttps://trashfishcle.org/United StatesCleveland, OHhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/clevelandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3509342025-06-12T00:00:00Z2025-06-13T01:49:58ZCleveland, OH – Hack The LandHack The Land is a hackathon fully led by high-schoolers for HS students. A hackathon as described by Hack Club as a social coding marathon where teenagers come together to build projects for a weekend and share them with the world. Additionally MLH provides another article https://news.mlh.io/what-is-a-hackathon-10-30-2023.
While there are other hackathons organized by Hyland, TechCorpsHack, and NASA. These events unfortunately do not have teenage organizers at the core of their events and oftentimes have themes which are good for giving participants a pathway doesn't give students the opportunity to create a project that represents them, their interests or their team and the teams shared interests. Hack The Land aims to break this dynamic and create an event where teenagers are empowered to create the projects of their imaginations with teenagers at the core of this event. Both as participants and as organizers.
Essentially, our event is dedicated to giving Cleveland high-school students an amazing opportunity to meet with others who share their same interests, learn about, computer science, hardware, and coding. Culminating in creating a project in a team by collaborating with others and applying what they learn in creating an awesome project using provided hardware and taught skills with the support of our organizing team.Riley BautistaHack The Landhttp://hacktheland.xyzUnited StatesCleveland, OHhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/clevelandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3509452025-06-12T00:00:00Z2025-06-13T01:49:19ZCleveland, OH – Operational Space UpgradeUpgrading to new mobile shelving is a game-changer for both safety and operational flow. By replacing our outdated, stationary units with sleek, movable systems, we’re creating a workspace that’s not only smarter but safer. Staff will be able to access items quickly and easily—no more awkward reaching, heavy lifting, or tight squeezes. The new shelving unlocks flexibility, maximizes our space, and keeps everything organized and within reach. It’s a powerful step forward that supports a faster, safer, and more efficient way to serve our community.Michelle WalshOperational Space Upgradehttp://www.goodsbankneo.orgUnited StatesCleveland, OHhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/clevelandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3156182025-06-11T00:00:00Z2025-09-29T18:18:02ZIpswich, MA – Green Cuisine: The Ipswich Dinner Bell Composting This grant will initiate a one-year composting pilot program for Ipswich Dinner Bell. The success of the program will leverage additional interest and support to establish a sustained, permanent composting program, making an already awesome Ipswich program even more awesome!
Dinner Bell is a cherished community institution that offers free, hot, nutritious meals to anyone; this is especially critical at a time when food insecurity is prevalent in Ipswich. For 14 years, Dinner Bell has been serving delicious meals to approx. 80 guests every Monday evening at the Masonic Lodge. From newcomers to regulars, Dinner Bell welcomes all with an atmosphere of inclusion, community, fellowship, and shared gratitude. In addition to serving guests in person, volunteers deliver another 90 meals each week to the homebound. For many, the Dinner Bell meal may be their only social interaction with others during the week. For others, it may be their only hot meal.
From preparation to dining room set up, through meal service and clean up, Dinner Bell runs as a well-oiled, efficient machine. At the end of meal service, remaining meals are packaged and offered to guests to supplement at-home nutrition. Unfortunately, not every morsel of food gets consumed or brought home by guests, so with every community meal comes an unavoidable amount of food waste. Currently, all food scraps and paper goods (e.g., napkins) go into the trash. Depending on the number of guests, the food waste can be significant and is by far the greatest contributor to solid waste generated. Composting has been suggested for years; however, funding has never been available. Meals cost $400-500/week to prepare, and only a portion (approximately 1/3) of meal “sponsors” pay those costs. Food for the majority of meals is purchased using donations. As Dorothy Calandra, Dinner Bell organizer, expressed frankly, “I can either spend the limited money we have on composting, or spend it on food. I need to spend it on food."Joanne DelaneyGreen Cuisine: The Ipswich Dinner Bell Composting http://N/AUnited StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3333552025-06-11T00:00:00Z2025-09-29T18:06:47ZIpswich, MA – Ipswich Snow Angels The Snow Angels program is designed and operated in partnership with the Ipswich Council on Aging. The program to help older adults in our community safely manage the winter season by providing free snow removal services for those residents most in need.
As snow and ice accumulate, it can become increasingly difficult and dangerous for seniors to clear their driveways, walkways, and sidewalks, leading to potential slips, falls, or other injuries. This program connects volunteers with older adults who need assistance in maintaining a clear path during winter storms.
The program ensures that seniors’ homes remain accessible to programs such as meals on wheels, home care staff, and the ability for them to attend any medical appointments or caregiver/loved one’s visits.
By reducing the physical strain of snow removal, we aim to improve the overall well-being of older adults, allowing them to maintain their independence and stay active during the winter months.
To participate, older adults can simply sign up for the program, and our team will match them with a volunteer who is available to assist.
Volunteers clear snow from and apply salt to driveways, walkways, and stairs, ensuring seniors can safely leave their homes and move about their property. The program runs throughout the winter months, and all services are provided at no cost to the participants.
There has been a significant increase in the number of residents who need the Snow Angel support. In fact, we do not have enough volunteers to support the need, resulting in many seniors submitting their names to our wait list.
Derek McFerranIpswich Snow Angels United StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3408122025-06-11T00:00:00Z2025-06-30T12:31:37ZWestminster, MD – Free Planes for Kids!We have a program going on for instructor RC pilots where they get paired with a mentor. One thing we find is sometimes cost can be a barrier and we want to try and break that barrier. This is the concept but with their aircraft purchased though this program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMqxDOkb4iA Brian DaerrFree Planes for Kids!http://www.flywam.orgUnited StatesWestminster, MDhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/westminstertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3415832025-06-11T00:00:00Z2025-06-12T02:32:09ZRockport, MA – Firemens July Fourth Parade & BonfireOur awesome project is putting together and funding the annual Firemen’s Fourth of July Parade and Bonfire in town.
The parade is solely run on donations made to the association. A lot of work and money goes into running the parade and we try to make it better every year. Michael ElwellFiremens July Fourth Parade & BonfireUnited StatesRockport, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/rockporttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3510632025-06-11T00:00:00Z2025-06-17T23:01:43ZAnn Arbor, MI – Luki Bikes Adventure RaceIn collaboration with American Indian Health & Family Services (AIHFS), we’re hosting an Adventure Race for Native American youth in Detroit on August 14, 2025. Open to participants in our summer biking program, the event is free and designed to inspire outdoor exploration, teamwork, and cultural connection through hands-on learning in the outdoors.
Up to 30 youth (ages 6–18) will be divided into teams, each guided by a trained adult mentor. Youth will navigate between stages using maps or clues and take on skills challenges at each transition, testing their knowledge of outdoor survival and cultural ecology, including water purification, fire-making, and plant identification. Activities will include biking, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, geocaching, and wayfinding.
All adults involved have first aid training, and kayaking equipment will be provided by a local, minority- and woman-owned outfitter. Each participant will receive a custom medal or ribbon created by a Native artist, recognizing their accomplishments.
This initiative reflects our commitment to equitable access to nature, culturally grounded youth development, and empowering Native youth through connection to land, community, and self.Kris DantzlerLuki Bikes Adventure Racehttp://www.lukibikes.orgUnited StatesAnn Arbor, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ann-arbortag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3434872025-06-10T00:00:00Z2025-06-10T19:35:14ZNewmarket – The Bake LabThe Bake Lab: Cooking Up Nutrition
Welcome to The Bake Lab, where creativity and nutrition go hand in hand! This school-based baking group is all about mixing fun with purpose. Students work together to bake delicious, wholesome treats that support our school’s nutrition program. From healthy muffins to energy-boosting snacks, every item will be crafted with care and the goal of promoting better eating habits for all. Our baked goods will help supplement the nutrition program, ensuring every student has access to healthy, balanced meals.
Meaghan LilleyThe Bake LabCanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3457472025-06-10T00:00:00Z2025-06-11T21:39:01ZSan Francisco, CA – How to survive Facism - a PowerPoint Comedy Showhe world is on fire, humans rights are being stripped away, and I’m crying at least once a week.
Currently, our government is sliding into authoritarianism, gutting social programs, firing people, increasing surveillance, and making life harder for queer people. To Americans, this is new, but to Black Americans and immigrants — we used it to. So, why not tap into our Hooman resources and learn how to survive and prepare for what’s to come?
The idea is to host a PowerPoint comedy show where immigrant comedians, activists and organizers provide tips on how to survive Authoritarianism. They will be providing tips on different topics such as Food, Medicine, Government/Policing, and Social Media. Examples include: if the FDA is going to be defunded, you should stock up on aspirin now as future products contaminations may not be caught as early. Another example: we expect grocery prices to rise, so if you’re struggling think of starting a hydroponic garden or joining your neighborhood community garden.Cynthia OHow to survive Facism - a PowerPoint Comedy ShowUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3471282025-06-10T00:00:00Z2025-06-11T21:40:23ZSan Francisco, CA – Books & BarnsI started Books & Barns because I wanted attend literary events that did not activate my social anxiety/PTSD, I wanted them to be close to where I live (Camp Meeker, Sonoma County), and I wanted spaces that valued intimacy. I'm deeply interested in community building and find myself struggling with social media's credos of 'more is better', echo-chambers, and 'it's not happening unless you are recording it.' I brought on my co-organizer Allegra Willson last season. We work together to cultivate a literary community that showcases rural writers reading in rural spaces for a community of folks who are hungry for writing that pushes past the pastoral and apple pie aesthetic (although we are fond of apples, pie, sheep, and the like).
Typically, our events are held in rural spaces such a barns, river edges, farms, and butterfly sanctuaries. We bring iconic writers and poets such as D.A. Powell, Jacques Rancourt, Manjula Martin, and Eirinie Carson to audiences who would not usually have access to them (or at least would have to drive to SF), and not only that, we do so with a bit of mystery. Audience members register for our events without knowing where the location will be, and they are emailed directions the night prior. Some of our events are no-talking events; imagine a group of people filtering into a barn with only the sound of thrush singing. We ask participants not to take photos and to turn their phones off if possible, harkening back to a time when we were more present to ourselves and the people around us. Events are carefully curated to feel like experiences, intimate and welcoming, magical and accessible.
As you can imagine, we love word-of-mouth outreach. We have an IG account where we post events, and from there, people share them with people who might be interested. Last summer, we invested in a few posters and flyers. Our events are completely free, and so far, every single one has been filled to capacity.
Kelly Gray Books & Barnshttps://www.instagram.com/booksandbarns_aliterarything/United StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3488522025-06-10T00:00:00Z2025-06-11T21:40:48ZSan Francisco, CA – Feed SF Locals My goal is simple, I want to make sack lunches or feminine hygiene bags for the unhoused people on my street in the mission and on Polk. There is a specific lady I see once a month and I know she can never remember me fully but she always ask me for bread bologna and mustard when she's hungry. I've always wanted to actually uplift my community I hope with these funds I can achieve thatBrenda Casey BrayFeed SF Locals United StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3511712025-06-10T00:00:00Z2025-06-11T13:24:39ZIpswich, MA – Pop-up Free Farmers MarketIn the summer of 2025, two local nonprofits—Nourishing the North Shore and Three Sisters Garden Project—will partner to ensure that low-income residents of Ipswich, MA, continue to have reliable access to fresh, local food.
Three Sisters Garden Project is relocating part of its operations after its landlord, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SND), changed the terms of a longstanding land-use agreement. As a result, Three Sisters will pause its weekly CSA distributions during the transition.
To fill this temporary gap, Nourishing the North Shore will host three pop-up Free Farmers Markets at 3 Washington Street in Ipswich on August 26, September 9, and September 23. These markets will offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to local low-income residents, helping to ensure continued food access during the five-week disruption.Tany BlaskoPop-up Free Farmers Markethttps://www.nourishingthenorthshore.org/United StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3343652025-06-06T00:00:00Z2025-06-06T17:00:05ZConservation and Climate – Beekeeping to preserve natural forestsEvery year from June through to September, there is a high risk of Nyungwe forest in Rwanda catching fire. These fires are due to wild honey hunters .To avoid these fires, the wild honey hunters can be identified and can be helped to start a beekeeping project around the Nyungwe buffer zone. They can be equipped with material necessary for beekeeping and honey harvesting, They also need to be educated about the importance of the natural forest to their community, to the country and the whole world at large.
Eddy RangiraBeekeeping to preserve natural forestshttp://www.loverwandainitiative.org.rwWorldwideConservation and Climatehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/conservationandclimatetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3431332025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-06-05T21:10:16ZGlasgow – Reclaim Your PotentialRETUNE operates 5 days a week Monday to Friday, to work with 28 attendees over the year to teach fine woodworking of stringed instrument construction and repair, CNC machine software and use, as well as reclaiming old unused hand tools specific to the workshop environment.
RETUNES motto (Reclaim your Potential) is twofold. Reclaiming and reusing wood and tools and reclaiming and reusing the individual’s potential
To reclaim and reuse these tools as an example of RETUNES motto (Reclaim your Potential) this engages the personal development plan for each participant done in weekly stages with the learning manual. Our target groups are Veterans/Ex-service personnel, Adult Autistic, Long term DWP and those who identify as severely isolated.
We are based in Easterhouse, one of Glasgow’s most deprived communities and the bulk of our current participants are drawn from the local area
We help to address individual issues who suffer isolation that are affected with PTSD and many others, with needs ranging from mental health diagnosis, physical disabilities to family breakdown. we operate 2 specific manuals for attendees, one is the learning manual that takes participants on weekly tasks towards learning skills and constructing their instruments, the other is a personal development manual that each person completes on a monthly basis on areas of their lives and issues, where these have been addressed and what they have identified as benefiting or blocking a move on process.
We utilise the ‘Cycle of Change’ model a CBT model, is a talking therapy that can help individuals manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave utilising the creative process, It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
In the project this serves to boost individual social skills, confidence, direction, decrease isolation, improve a sense of wellbeing, and contribute to greater autonomy and independence,
David McHargReclaim Your Potentialhttps://www.facebook.com/theretuneprojectUnited KingdomGlasgowhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/glasgowtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3483892025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-09-01T03:44:32ZNewcastle – IN YOUR CORNERAcute Care Team and Community care coordination Peer support.
Providing a platform for Clients to Move their mental health, via IN YOUR CORNER. A group exercise programme. I utilise my sporting background and team building skills to bring mental health clients together.
Based around boxing training and team building, I see huge shifts in Client's ability to interact and mix with each other while also concentrating on the task at hand. Clients are motivated to share in the group walk after the gym session, we discuss a myriad of topics, who are we proud of? Who motivates our wellness, What we do to be well and so forth.
Client participation continues to grow as does interest throughout the Hunter New England Health district.
Anthony TuiteIN YOUR CORNERAustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3510012025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-08-08T19:58:28ZSouth Bend, IN – Funktional Bar & Bottle ShopFunktion/al is South Bend’s first non-alcoholic cocktail bar—popping up at local markets, events, and private parties with elevated zero-proof cocktails, functional beverages, and hemp-derived THC & CBD sips.
We specialize in creating meaningful beverage experiences without alcohol, featuring ingredients like kava, adaptogens, nootropics, and NA spirits. From corporate happy hours to wellness festivals, Funktion/al brings the bar to you—without the hangover.
Our goal is to operate as a pop up until we have our own brick & mortar storefront, hopefully by the end of 2026!Jen HackerFunktional Bar & Bottle Shophttps://www.instagram.com/funktionalbar?igsh=Ym01Zm1wd3ZkMnJv&utm_source=qrUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3511492025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-08-08T19:59:21ZSouth Bend, IN – 2nd Annual Plein Aire Paint Out at the Rose GardenOur Awesome 2nd Annual Plein Aire Paint Out will be held in the Leeper Park Rose Garden on Thursday June 19, 2025. We expect 20 to 25 Artists from the local community, and surrounding areas, and as far away as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Warsaw, Goshen, Niles, and southern Michigan. We expect a significant regional draw, attracting visiting artists to the Garden. Those artists then return to their homes and sing the praises of the Awesome South Bend Parks to their friends and neighbors.
Our visitors to the event are encouraged to walk among the artists and learn about painting in the open air from the participants. This interaction with the artists makes the event a learning experience for our visitors, many of whom are students.
The artists will spend the entire day painting in the Rose Garden, and prizes are awarded at the end of the day.
Last year, local media covered the event, and this year the Garden will be filled with music from Kennedy's Kitchen. The Rose Garden has been designed by the volunteers as a place of beauty, peace and tranquility; and this event will continue that mission.
The entire community is invited to the lunch-time free concert., with special invitations being sent to neighboring households, surrounding the Park. More than 250 neighbors and community members are expected to attend.
In order to attract artists from all over the region, the Awesome Rose Garden volunteers provide a lunch for the artists, and the band, so they can spend the entire day making art.Larry Clifford2nd Annual Plein Aire Paint Out at the Rose GardenUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3511852025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-08-08T20:00:24ZSouth Bend, IN – the firmamentthe firmament is an evening-length dance-theater experience produced for the community of South Bend. Made up of a series of vignettes, the work explores the earthly side of our humanness, inviting audiences to become curious, question relationships, and confront vulnerabilities. Expect moments of humor and struggle illuminating the dualities of the human condition.
We will be working with Robinson Community Learning Center to stage this event in their black box theatre. Students from Riley High School will help with tech rehearsals and backstage during the show. They may also perform a piece of their own at the beginning of the show.Chloe Misnerthe firmamenthttp://www.newindustrydance.org/upcomingUnited StatesSouth Bend, INhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/southbendtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3513672025-06-04T00:00:00Z2025-06-04T11:37:14ZSydney – Amplify Black Women – Wellness Day SeriesA one-day wellness experience designed for Black women in Sydney. The event offers rest, reflection, and reconnection through yoga, guided conversation, sound healing, and community-building. It features Black women facilitators and spotlights wellness education rooted in cultural relevance. We’ve hosted it successfully once and would love to run another in a different part of Sydney, expanding our reach.
Wellness spaces often lack cultural safety and representation. This project offers a space where Black women feel seen, safe, and celebrated — with programming designed specifically for their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It includes sessions with Black women experts, like a nutritionist/doctor speaking on gut health and hormones, supporting a holistic approach to wellness. The day also uplifts local Black practitioners and fosters real community connection.
This event will directly support around 25 Black women in Sydney through culturally safe, accessible wellness programming. It supports long-term community wellbeing, empowers women with knowledge about their bodies and health, and strengthens a growing network of Black-led wellness practitioners.
The format is repeatable, with future events exploring other key topics like mental health, menopause, and intergenerational healing.Annette ColeAmplify Black Women – Wellness Day Serieshttp://www.abwsydau.orgAustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3211432025-06-02T00:00:00Z2025-08-12T00:13:41ZOrlando, FL – The Return of the Pink Florida PantherOrlando-based mural company, A Pivotal Character Artworks, is seeking sponsors and financial support to fund the fabrication of a Florida Wildlife-centered exterior mural which will be located in a highly trafficked destination in north downtown Orlando, next to the iconic ORLANDO postcard mural (N. Orange Avenue & W. Colonial Drive).
This proposed project celebrates our state animal, the Florida Panther. However this panther is unique in that it is visually presented with a fun and playful twist... she’s pink! This is a reference to the famous Pink Panther cartoon of the 1960’s - of which still has a lasting cultural relevance. This concept presents a pink Florida Panther playfully stalking a yarn ball amidst the tall, wild grass of the Everglades.
Each day, this location attracts tourists to Downtown Orlando in order to take photos in front of the city lankmark that is the ORLANDO postcard mural. Similarly, this wall is also a common backdrop for locals to use for family photos,
engagement pictures, and even music videos. So it makes sense that any mural which shares this culturally significant wall space should also celebrate local Florida culture! Currently the wallspace is occupied by another mural (a small child sitting in front of a vintage television), however the property owner has already given permission to paint over the existing artwork on the left side, leaving the ORLANDO postcard mural untouched. In addition, the property owner has also agreed for this proposed mural to remain for a period of no less than three years, with a maximum of five years.
Justin SkipperThe Return of the Pink Florida Pantherhttp://www.apivotalcharacter.comUnited StatesOrlando, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/orlandotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3414022025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-09T20:08:21ZNew York City, NY – Soap Box Derby RaceWe're pleased to announce that our May grant has been awarded to the Soap Box Derby team at PS 72 in the Bronx.
Did you know that NYC is home to an active and growing Soap Box Derby community? 45 schools participated in this year's local competition, with the car from PS 72 coming in 4th place. Students at the school participate twice a week in their after school program, learning how to build their cars and preparing for competition. Run out of the school's STEAM maker space, the program brings in kids who might not otherwise be interested in their other after school offerings.
In their own words: _We're a team of elementary school students from PS 72 in the Bronx preparing for our 2025–2026 Soap Box Derby season! We’ll be using the Awesome NYC grant to purchase team uniforms and help fund a special field trip to a go-kart facility. Since we’re a city school with very limited space, our last team practiced driving in the aisle of the auditorium! The trip will give students a safe and fun way to get a feel for driving before race day._
_Want to support or participate with our team?_
* _Sponsor our team financially_
* _Donate items for our race day event_
* _Come out to cheer us on in person!_
_More information is available on our [team website](https://sites.google.com/schools.nyc.gov/ps-72x-steam-program/soap-box-derby-team?authuser=0) and check out our Grants & Sponsorship page on the site for specific ways to contribute or get involved._
This was only the second year of Soap Box at PS 72 (which has now grown to 2 cars), and we can't wait to see how the program continues to grow in the future.
Marla SchneiderSoap Box Derby Racehttps://sites.google.com/schools.nyc.gov/ps-72x-steam-program/soap-box-derby-team?authuser=0United StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3431622025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-27T01:14:34ZOttawa – Sound of LifeMay’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Nieve Xiao to bring young musicians together with seniors through [Sound of Life] (http://soundoflife.ca).
“Sound of Life,” explains Nieve, “is a group of youth musicians from across Ottawa bringing music and joy into retirement homes. We have over 50 volunteers and are entirely organized and run by our board of seven high school students.”
“Our organization brings about intergenerational learning and interaction,” she continues, “fuelling connection across the community. Music has also been shown to have an immense benefit to dementia and other memory related illnesses that come with old age.”
“I am in grade 11 at Lisgar Collegiate Institute and have volunteered in retirement homes for three years,” she says. “I have had many interactions with people with dementia or forms of it, and have realized the need for adaptive therapies to aid them in their wellbeing. As an avid musician and two-time provincial finalist in piano, I decided to bring two aspects of my life together to found Sound of Life.”
Nieve and the team plan to use the award to build homemade instruments to give to residents so they can play along during performances.Nieve XiaoSound of Lifehttp://soundoflife.caCanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3454182025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-08T17:49:33ZLiverpool (Inativo) – Hands-On Science in LiverpoolWe are seeking funding to support a week of hands-on science workshops for children in Liverpool. The workshops will be run by Cambridge Hands-On Science (CHaOS), a student-run science outreach group from the University of Cambridge. Every summer, CHaOS takes a van full of exciting science experiments and a team of friendly volunteers around the country to deliver workshops to children from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM, with the goal of showing them that science is interesting, fun and important!
This year, CHaOS is planning to visit Liverpool from July 26 to August 1 to run a week of science workshops in local libraries. The workshops will feature around fourteen hands-on experiments, each with a demonstrator. The families will be able to move between the experiments, having a go at the hands-on aspects and discussing the science with the demonstrators. The experiments come from across STEM, and some of the most popular ones include a collection of animal skulls, making mini explosions using lemon juice and bicarb of soda, and building a bridge that the children can walk across.
CHaOS aims to widen participation in STEM by providing children with exciting STEM experiences and the opportunity to talk to real scientists (our demonstrators), thus encouraging them to continue to study STEM and aspire to a career in STEM, and challenging stereotypes around what a scientist looks like. We reach children from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM by targeting areas with low progression to tertiary education. The workshops are free for families to attend.
We aim to reach 1000 people across seven events with a budget of £2500, meaning the project will cost only £2.50 per person reached. Our largest expenses come from catering for, transporting and accommodating our volunteers. As part of our mission to disprove stereotypes around STEM, we encourage diversity in our volunteering body by covering all costs associated with volunteering.
Jessica TrevelyanHands-On Science in Liverpoolhttp://chaosscience.org.ukUnited KingdomLiverpool (Inativo)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3466152025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-09T21:26:13ZDisability – ScoliPolyScoliosis patients, consisting of 6-9 million people nationally, have unusually curved spines that, alongside visible deformity, may cause arthritis, disrupted breathing, and other health issues. The most vulnerable population are young girls, who are disproportionately affected by juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. Unfortunately, as a patient myself, I experienced the stigma and isolation often associated with deformity.
I started ScoliPoly to address the disjointed nature of the scoliosis community. Our nonprofit initiative is dedicated to demystifying scoliosis and challenging societal stigmas through educational resources, awareness campaigns, and outreach. Currently operating in New Jersey, New York, and two international locations, ScoliPoly’s primary function is to provide informational resources to schools, hospitals, and other youth venues in the chapter area. We are unique in providing a community that is not only catered towards a specific disease and its variations, but also reaches out directly to youth groups, rather than being limited to individual patients.
Our free booklets describe the treatment, symptoms, and implications of scoliosis. Having now distributed over 5,000, I’m thrilled with the impact ScoliPoly has made on girls like me. Our social media, which includes fun facts about scoliosis and Q&A videos with scoliosis professionals, has already reached over 10,000 in views and engagement. We also offer a blog for youth authors (17 unique publications) and an online “wardrobe” of brace-friendly outfit recommendations (24 contributions). The ScoliPoly community of sympathetic and inclusive patients is now, to my immense pride, the exact type of environment I would have thrived in as a newly diagnosed preteen. As we reach out to more locations across our chapter areas, we hope to expand our community of ~15 partnering schools, hospitals, and youth centers.
**What our grantee is saying:** Receiving the Awesome Disability grant will be no doubt transformative for my project and team. Working out of a small budget, yet remaining committed to providing free access to our resources, ScoliPoly has often struggled to balance the needs of scoliotic community members with our financial limitations. Despite forming partnerships with schools and hospitals in our chapter areas, said limitations have placed delays on our work with them at the expense of thousands of children that lack the information necessary to accurately assess their back health. A single Awesome grant, however, can expand our educational services to up to 5,000 more children. We’re so excited to use Awesome’s generous award to produce new informational pamphlets, streamline our online resources, and reach out to our community’s most vulnerable. The ScoliPoly team is incredibly grateful for the Foundation’s support!Eve ParrottScoliPolyhttps://www.scolipoly.comWorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3468452025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-08T17:49:23ZLiverpool (Inativo) – BRASSIC.BRASSIC. is a self published magazine, showcasing the richness of Northern culture and talent, based and operating in Liverpool.
The magazine focuses primarily on Northern cities and towns, covering topics of culture in these places, and underground creatives, with the intention to platform and spark conversation.
We want BRASSIC. to be able to open opportunities up for everyone involved; our features, interviewees, writers, photographers, and any other contributors we have, and to get people to know the talent in and around the North. With us only just starting, this has been primarily Liverpool based so far, and will continue like that whilst we grow our audience.
For each issue, we are also aiming to throw a launch party. These parties exhibit the work put into the magazine, such as work of our artist profiles, so people are able to get an idea of what is in the magazine if they can't afford the price (£15). With us being a magazine and not event/promoters, we aim to keep these launch parties free and accessible. These will continue to be in Liverpool, and also act as good networking events for other creatives.
As we are a publication that aspires to platform creatives, we also want to to do that through being able to pay our writers and photographers, as we understand when it comes to working on creative projects that these people often don't get paid (including us).
After our very successful Issue 01, where we were lucky enough to break even and reimburse ourselves after selling out, we were left with a small remainder to put into our second issue. With us both working in hospitality jobs, neither of us are in a financial position to not reimburse ourselves.
BRASSIC. is a project we want to continue with and see how far we can take it, but for us currently, the financial aspect is our biggest issue. Bebe Lynch-PlattBRASSIC.https://brassicmagazine.bigcartel.comUnited KingdomLiverpool (Inativo)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3491612025-05-31T00:00:00Z2025-06-07T14:13:04ZToronto – My Big Fat Pop UpMy Big Fat Pop Up (MBFP) was born out of a shared passion between my sister and I to support small, BIPOC, and women-owned businesses through intentional shopping and community. What started as a personal mission quickly became a vibrant platform for over 400 local brands—from fashion and beauty to home, food and lifestyle—connecting them with loyal customers through curated pop-up events and digital content.
We’ve hosted seven events with a high vendor return rate and thousands of attendees. Our goal is always to drive sustainability by celebrating emerging brands, connect young entrepreneurs and generate much needed revenue for local companies.
The Awesome Foundation grant will fund the development and launch of our official website and expanding our social media presence, to help us host more curated pop-ups with small and medium enterprises in Toronto. Kanmali OsodeMy Big Fat Pop UpCanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/toronto