Awesome Foundation - Projects

Los Angeles, CA – Build & Ride: Beginner Road Cycling Series

2025-05-30T00:00:00Z

We’re launching Build & Ride, a free 4-week beginner road cycling program at Esquina Bicycle Shop in Boyle Heights, LA. This project is designed to empower new and hesitant riders—especially women, LGBTQ+ folks, and BIPOC community members—through supportive, themed group rides that focus on safety, confidence, and connection. Each week, we’ll gather at Esquina for a guided ride that includes a short workshop on basic bike maintenance (like fixing a flat or adjusting brakes), a group ride through local streets or bike paths, and a post-ride hangout with snacks, music, and community-building activities. The goal is to create a fun, inclusive space where people can build physical and emotional confidence while moving through their city on two wheels. Esquina is more than a bike shop—we’re a grassroots hub where art, bikes, and community intersect. This project is an extension of our mission: to make cycling more accessible and joyful, and to use mobility as a tool for liberation, health, and local pride. With this program, we’ll help demystify cycling for beginners, create safer streets through education, and foster a growing network of local riders who feel confident showing up for themselves and their community.

Gloucester, MA – Anchor Bank and Trust

2025-05-29T00:00:00Z

We work at GHS in the sub-separate therapeutic program known as Anchor. In Anchor we have established a positive behavior incentive system where students can earn tickets based on their behavior and productivity during class time to use as a currency for rewards. In the math class we use what is called Anchor Bank and Trust as a way for students to learn about real life financial applications such as savings and interest. With the tickets earned students can shop from a list of rewards. Many of the rewards are physical items that the staff purchases out of our own pockets. Examples of these items are snacks, erasable pens, fidgets or even lunch purchased from a local restaurant.

Georgetown, MA – The Scout Loop, Trail

2025-05-28T00:00:00Z

The idea behind the scout loop trail is to create a sign and blazing system for a trail loop already present in Georgetown rally State Forest. This loop could be used for every day activities like walking, biking, or maybe even cross country skiing. A map of the trail loop will also be uploaded online making it easy to navigate for everyone who uses it. Once signage is put up and blazes are painted, it will be one of the three trails systems in Georgetown rally that have a marking and signage system other than Pingree Farm Road and the Bay circuit trail. Signage will of a Colorcore sign at the entrance to the loop attached to a 4 x 4 x 2 wood post put into the forest floor. This sign will contain information about forks as well as distances, a map of the loop, and blaze colors. Blazes will be attached every few hundred feet as a means of navigating the trails and indicating directions that need to be heeded at forks.

Rhode Island – Rhody "Art-Cade" Arcade Cabinet

2025-05-28T00:00:00Z

The Rhody "Art-Cade" Arcade Cabinet will serve as a platform for showcasing games made by local creators. This half-size, bar-top style arcade cabinet will be used at community events, art shows, and game expos to highlight the work of independent game developers and creatives in the Providence area. This arcade machine is a custom design and built for portability and inclusive access. The half-sized cabinet can be placed on a a height adjustable base to enable those with different heights to engage with the games. By making the cabinet compact and mobile, our group can bring it into a wide variety of public spaces and share the creativity of our community with different audiences. One extra component is an accessibility device that I’ve been designing for games, which will allows players to use QR codes to load their preferred accessibility settings if the game supports it. This device on a shared cabinet should encourage developers to design games with accessibility features, for example colorblindness settings, motion sickness reduction options, or other player accommodations. This initiative is being led by the Rhody Art-Cade, a collective of local game developers and artists who meet regularly to share works-in-progress, host game jams, and support each other in creative exploration. The cabinets’ fabrication process and design will be documented and freely available to all.

Georgetown, MA – AED For Parks and Recreation

2025-05-28T00:00:00Z

Georgetown Parks and Recreation with the Georgetown Fire Department are requesting grant funding to support the purchase of an AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator) for either American Legion Park or East Main Street Soccer Fields. This will enhance Georgetown with its existing Heart Town Status.

Chicago, IL – The Black Man from Macon

2025-05-27T00:00:00Z

Our fourth year of Cabinet of Curiosity's Pedal-Powered Programming. 2025's interactive event is called KAZOOZAPALOOZA: The Black Man from Macon. The event will include an original spectacle Pedal-Powered device with narrative images painted on a giant 100-foot scroll attached to a bike that someone rides to make the pictures travel. The story is accompanied by original sung by Lynne Jordan. The bike-powered panoramic scroll is a spectacle item engineered by students of Cabinet of Curiosity's unique School of Celebration. The production will play for free, outdoors, for children to persons of age in underserved communities of color. The event is almost entirely visual and includes a musical workshop and a free coloring book about engineering hope. Our event is currently funded to perform 4 times in public parks for free - Boler Park (Homan Square), Marquette Park (South Chicago), 3636 Iron Street (McKinley Park), and Verti Port (Pilsen). This is the third year we have been invited to return to these communities by Alder people, community leaders, neighborhood stakeholders and The Chicago Park District. We focused our first programming years on these targeted communities to generate trust and establish collaboration opportunities. Our staff, board, partners, and collective of artists are confident we can begin to build equally robust and meaningful partnerships with three new, additional communities. The event aims to offer guests free kazoos, musical workshops, and paid opportunities to community members to work on the event. The event is interactive and celebrates the life of an underrecognized black man, Alabama Vest, the inventor of the Kazoo. Collaborators include Lynne Jordan, Homan Square Artist in Residence Bandon Boler, poet Samarem Diaz-Negrete, painter Mandy Newman Cobb, the School of the Art Institute, the Chicago Park District, the Homan Square Neighborhood Association, and Working Bikes The Awesome Foundation will provide funds for one new neighborhood with equally great cultural and employment needs- West Garfield Park.

Philadelphia, PA – I-Planet International Center

2025-05-27T00:00:00Z

I-Planet International Center is a grassroots, all-volunteer nonprofit (501c3 EZ pending) founded in Philadelphia by three international alumni of the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Social Work program. As former international students who navigated the emotional, cultural, and logistical challenges of life in the U.S., we created I-Planet to offer the kind of support we wish we had—free, culturally sensitive, and grounded in lived experience. Our mission is to promote the well-being of international students, professionals, and their families through mindfulness-based, trauma-informed support. We provide holistic services, including bilingual case management, resource navigation, community events, and advocacy, creating spaces where internationals are not just surviving, but thriving. Since launching in May 2023, we’ve reached 368 participants through 22 events and 50+ free consultations. Our programming spans two core areas: (1) professional development—including networking, job search, and visa sponsorship; and (2) emotional well-being and cultural adjustment—through community events like “Let’s Talk About Loneliness,” “Color Walk Friending,” and workshops like navigating academic norms in U.S. classrooms. Participants consistently report a reduced sense of isolation, increased confidence in navigating institutional systems, and a stronger capacity to advocate for their needs—both professionally and interpersonally. We also created a public housing list of all apartments in University City, tiered by price, to support students facing housing insecurity. Every initiative we launch is rooted in research and community voice. We have conducted two focus groups with 15 international students and professionals from five countries, and interviewed three university staff to identify service gaps. Just one year in, I-Planet has become a hub in Philly for cross-cultural connection and a supportive space for internationals navigating life far from home.

Gloucester, MA – The Dory at Sunset Mural

2025-05-26T00:00:00Z

Awesome Gloucester proudly presents "Dory at Sunset," the eighth mural in our ongoing series celebrating the maritime heritage and community spirit that defines our city. This stunning piece captures Jimmy Tarantino and Stephanie Palazola O'Neil rowing their traditional wooden dory against one of Gloucester's legendary sunsets. Artist Josh Falk transforms this peaceful evening scene, originally photographed by Stephanie Ragusa, into a large-scale work that speaks to our coastal identity. The mural depicts brilliant layers of orange and coral clouds reflected in calm harbor waters, with two silhouetted figures whose quiet journey connects past and present. The golden light dancing across the water's surface captures the timeless relationship between our community and the sea. Located on the exterior wall of the Pilot House, this artwork continues our mission to enhance public spaces while honoring local stories. Each of our eight murals tells a different chapter of Gloucester's narrative, but "Dory at Sunset" may be our most intimate - a reminder that our maritime culture lives in everyday moments when residents connect with these waters. The project exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our work. From Stephanie Ragusa's eye for capturing the perfect moment, to Jimmy and Stephanie's willingness to share their experience, to local property owners' support, this mural represents community investment in our shared visual landscape. This project was made possible through the generous financial support of Greg Bover, Susan Coviello, Rick Doucette, Stefan Edick, Shawn Henry, Walt Kolenda, Julie Lafontaine, Kerry McKenna, Suzi Natti, MJ Powers, Sue Salem, and Sal Zerilli. "Dory at Sunset" joins our growing collection of public art celebrating both Gloucester's storied past and vibrant present, ensuring that traditions connecting us to the sea remain visible reminders of who we are.

Yerevan – #revival Շոկոլադե լաբորատորիա

2025-05-22T00:00:00Z

Պատկերացնենք լաբորատորիա-արտադրամաս, որտեղ աշխատում են շոկոլադագործ-տեխնոլոգները։ Շոկոլադե Լաբորատորիա ծրագիրը նախատեսված է դեռահասների համար, ովքեր ցանկանում են սովորել սննդի տեխնոլոգիա, ստեղծագործել, իրականացնել համտեսներ և գրել իրենց ստեղծագործության համար վաճառքի պլան։ Ծրագիրը ոչ միայն շոկոլադի պատրաստման դաս է, այլ մի ամբողջ ուսումնական փորձառություն, որի ընթացքում դեռահասները կներկայանան որպես շոկոլադագործներ։ Կրթական ծրագրում դեռահասները կսովորեն սննդի քիմիա և ֆիզքիմիա, պատկերացում կազմելու համար շոկոլադի հալման, խտացման և համադրությունների մասին։ Մասնակիցները կփորձարկեն տարբեր բաղադրիչների համադրություններ՝ ստեղծելով իրենց յուրահատուկ շոկոլադը։ Ծրագրի նպատակն է ապացուցել, որ սովորելը կարող է լինել ոչ միայն օգտակար, այլև համեղ։ Այս կերպ դեռահասների շրջանում կառաջացնենք հետաքրքրությույուն սննդի արդյունաբերության, այդքան «վախենալու» քիմիայի և բիզնես գաղափարների նկատմամբ։ Երկօրյա դասընթացը կիրականացվի երկու փուլով։ Առաջին օրը մասնակիցները ձեռք կբերեն շոկոլադագործության մասին տեղեկատվություն, կգրեն թե ինչն է լինելու իրենց առաջին արտադրանքը, կկազմեն բաղադրագիր։ Երկրորդ օրը ըստ իրենց նախագծած բաղադրագրի և ստացած գիտելիքների կպատրաստեն շոկոլադները։ Մասնակիցներ՝ 10-12հոգի (15-17 տարեկան դպրոցականներ)։ Մանակիցները կընտրվեն ըստ հարցազրույցի կամ մոտիվացիոն նամակի, այս կերպ կբարձրացնենք ծրագրի հանդեպ լրջությունը։

Yerevan – Urban Garden: A Community Oasis in Yerevan

2025-05-22T00:00:00Z

We’re turning an abandoned concrete pool in a residential courtyard in Yerevan, Armenia, into a vibrant urban eco-garden — a green space designed by and for the community. Instead of a lifeless concrete structure, we imagine raised vegetable beds, vertical greenery, and soft garden paths. There will be a children’s garden where kids can grow their first carrots, a herbal tea corner for elderly neighbors to enjoy local mint and thyme, and a compost zone that teaches zero-waste habits. This isn’t just a garden — it’s a community project that brings people together, encourages sustainable living, and shows how underused urban spaces can be transformed into something joyful, healing, and alive. It’s also a pilot project that, if successful, can be replicated in other courtyards across Yerevan. The design is simple, eco-friendly, and co-created with local residents. We’ll use affordable, sustainable materials and contribute volunteer time to bring it to life. This space will grow not just plants — but community, connection, and pride.

Dragon Dreaming – Turtle Island Dragon Dreaming Travel Fund

2025-05-21T00:00:00Z

Dragon Dreaming team on Turtle Island, the United States, has been working collaboratively since 2019. We have several core members - Renato and Lynda, Svetlana, Jill, Mary Ann, and Kathleen. We are deeply committed to creating projects related to community building, art, permaculture and education. As a team, we've been spreading dragon dreaming while traveling around the country. Last year three of us, Jill, Renato, and Svetlana attended the dragon dreaming workshop in Estonia. Several of us want to join the transformational workshop in Estonia in July of 2025. We are asking as a group for a grant for our traveling fund so that we can continue traveling to dragon dreaming events and projects to support, learn, and grow. **How I will use the money:** Jill, Svetlana with her partner Sara will participate and help out at Dragon Dreaming gatherings in Estonia and France Estonia: https://gaiaakadeemia.ee/en/education-economics-as-if-people-and-planet-mattered/ France: https://revedudragon.org/summer-camp-2025 **A little about me:** Svetlana builds communities in many different contexts, seasonal celebrations, community circles, parent support groups, family constellations, and non-violent communication practice. Originally from Moldova, she lived in NYC for 19 years and has been enjoying traveling with purpose and integrating her travels into her life and how she shows up in the world. Jill Olesker, a native New Yorker, is a seasoned storyteller, story seeker, and adventurer. She is working on Water Stories project gathering oral histories and giving Waters a voice. She has always loved working with children. **Apart from the money, how else can the broader Dragon Dreaming community help you?** It would be helpful to find housing with the local dragon dreamers while we're at the workshops to continue developing the connection and mutual support that has already started. *Amount funded:* US$ 1200

Oahu, HI – Youth-Led Mental Health+ Wellness Pop-Up Series:

2025-05-20T00:00:00Z

Hawaiʻi’s youth mental health crisis is urgent. Spill The Tea Cafe was founded to meet that crisis head-on by creating safe, affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth can access free mental health support without fear of judgment. Our unique model blends clinical care, leadership development, and peer mentorship, making mental health care approachable, empowering, and youth-driven. Our project, Youth-Led Mental Health Pop-Up Series: Healing Oʻahu, One Cup at a Time, will bring this model into neighborhoods across Oʻahu. Led by youth for youth, each pop-up event will offer free therapy check-ins, peer support circles, resilience-building workshops, and leadership activities—all centered around creating visible, joyful spaces for healing. Teens will serve free boba tea, facilitate community conversations, and distribute self-care kits, breaking down barriers to mental health support while building connection and belonging. What makes Spill The Tea Cafe different is that we don’t just provide therapy — we build a pipeline of future mental health leaders. We train local students, peer mentors, and interns to develop clinical skills, leadership capacity, and self-confidence, addressing Hawaiʻi’s critical shortage of mental health providers from the ground up. Our teens aren’t just recipients of care—they are active healers, creators, and change agents. The pop-up series will launch this youth-powered movement into new communities, particularly in areas where traditional mental health services are scarce. By showing up in parks and gathering spaces with open arms (and open minds), we make it easy for teens to connect, share, and heal without stigma. We envision every pop-up as a spark—igniting hope, community, and a ripple effect of healing across the island. With your support, we can activate youth leaders, expand access to free therapy, and transform how mental health care is delivered across Oʻahu—one cup, one conversation, and one connection at a time.

Portland, OR – Accessible Creative Workshops

2025-05-20T00:00:00Z

Portland has no shortage of art workshops, but most come with an inaccessible fee. I want to change that, and provide an open space for sliding-scale and free regular monthly printmaking and other creative programming to aspiring artists that aren't able to pay a fee. Creativity is a human right, and Portland is one of the most creative cities I've known, with a large population in need of accessible resources. Currently, I have a small screen printing workshop inside a trans run business, Stronger Skatepark, which also hosts accessible community centered programming. In November, I ran a free test workshop centered around Design for Screen Printing, which provided me with valuable information about what the community is interested in (more involved screen printing practices, supported by instructors providing hands on technique help/critique). I have a roster of workshops drawn up, but require more materials to be able to provide to attendees. My goal is to provide resources, studio space and workshops to people of any skill level, from new artists interested in printmaking, to seasoned printers looking for an accessible place to hone their craft and create projects.

Pittsburgh, PA – Magic Yarn Project

2025-05-19T00:00:00Z

The Magic Yarn Project aims to make soft yarn wigs for children going through cancer, alopecia or any other type of hair loss. These character wigs or beanies invite children into the world of imagination and play during difficult times. Wigs are always free for the families who receive them. With the price of yarn skyrocketing, the Pittsburgh chapter of the Magic Yarn Project plans to buy many skeins of yarn to help more affected families.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Back to school giveaway event

2025-05-19T00:00:00Z

The Justice and Healing Hub Inc. is hosting a Back-to-School Giveaway Event to support local families in need. We will be providing 60 to 100 grade-appropriate backpacks filled with school supplies to children from under-resourced families. These backpacks will be tailored for various age groups, ensuring that each child receives the necessary tools for a successful school year. In addition to the school supplies, we will be offering a community gathering experience with hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages for families as they wait in line. To help cover the costs of food, we will be asking for a small donation of $1 for each hamburger, hotdog, or beverage provided. All proceeds will go toward supporting future community events and initiatives. This event aims to relieve some of the financial burden families face when preparing for the school year, while also fostering a sense of community and providing additional resources to help families thrive.

Washington, DC – Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade

2025-05-19T00:00:00Z

Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade – A Celebration of Freedom, Culture, and Community The Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade is Washington, D.C.’s first official Juneteenth parade, created to honor the historic significance of June 19, 1865—when the last enslaved African Americans were informed of their freedom—and to celebrate the strength, pride, and cultural richness of communities in Ward 7 and throughout the District. This community-led event brings the streets of Ward 7 to life with music, movement, and shared purpose. It features a lively procession of marching bands, youth dance teams, community groups, local artists, and cultural organizations—each one contributing to a joyful, meaningful expression of history and hope. It’s a moment to honor the past while celebrating the present-day spirit and resilience of D.C.’s Black communities. The celebration doesn’t stop with the parade. A community festival follows, with live performances, food vendors, local artisans, and family-friendly activities. Residents can connect with local service providers, learn about community resources, and enjoy a day designed to uplift, educate, and unite. Organized by Ward 7 residents and supported by a range of local partners, the parade centers the voices and leadership of the community. It promotes civic pride, encourages cross-neighborhood connection, and provides a platform for local talent and culture to shine. The Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade is more than an event—it’s the beginning of a new tradition. It reflects the heart of Ward 7: vibrant, proud, and deeply rooted in history. With each drumbeat and dance step, it brings people together to reflect, celebrate, and look forward—together.

Santa Cruz, CA – River Stewards

2025-05-18T00:00:00Z

The Coastal Watershed Council (CWC) preserves and protects coastal watersheds by strengthening the connection between the historically underserved and diverse residents who live along the San Lorenzo River and this critical natural resource in Santa Cruz, CA. CWC’s River Stewards Program, developed for and by the unhoused community, engages individuals experiencing homelessness in education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences as part of their path out of homelessness. A $1,000 gift from the Santa Cruz Awesome Foundation will provide one year's worth of native plant seeds that will be used by the River Stewards participants to increase biodiversity along the lower San Lorenzo River. Native plant seeds are collected from May to September and then planted along the river from October to February each year. By giving a gift now, you'll launch (and fully fund) our native seed collection for the year and ensure that the River Stewards have a biodiverse array of native plant seeds to plant this fall. Native plants and seeds are incredibly important to the river ecosystem because native plants typically support 10-50 times more insect species than non-native plants and as such, they are the foundation of a thriving river ecosystem.

Kingston – Rideau Heights Youth Soccer

2025-05-15T00:00:00Z

The Rideau Heights Community has the highest density of children living in low income homes. In the summer there is little free programming for our youth and most is on a registration basis. Last year we offered free drop in soccer for youth at Shannon Park and it was a huge success. We were able to waive the field fees and a few sundries. We used pylons for goals and made do with what we had. The youth that attended developed not only soccer skills but made new friends and developed conflict resolution skills as well as learning a positive outlet for their energies.

Cass Clay – Fargo-Moorhead Eid Festival

2025-05-15T00:00:00Z

Eid al-Adha is one of two annual Muslim holidays that commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family, peace be upon them, and Muslims all over the world will be celebrating this special day on June 7th this year. Eid translates to 'festival' in the Arabic language, and it is a time to come together. Our diverse Fargo-Moorhead community is eagely awaiting Eid as well, so we plan to host a fun-filled festival for families, particularly for the younger generation, which otherwise might not have opportunities to come together and experience Eid festivals in this region. To make it a memorable and exciting day for kids, we plan to have a plenty of activities at the event, such as henna, bouncy houses, face painting, and cookie decorating to list a few. Along with various activities, we will also have food and treats available for guests to enjoy. The goal is to bring the local Muslim community (and anyone else that might wish to attend) together, enjoy food, and have the opportunity to foster roots and memories.

Westminster, MD – Skate Park Summer Show - Fine Tuned Presents

2025-05-14T00:00:00Z

Fine Tuned is a Westminster-based organizer with a mission of building community through inspiring, engaging, and educational musical experiences. The work of Fine Tuned splits into two primary categories; 1) Fine Tuned Productions: Supporting community institutions through production, booking, talent buying, coordination, and consulting services, with clients including McDaniel College Office of Student Engagement, City of Westminster Recreation and Parks, and the Carroll County Arts Council. 2) Fine Tuned Presents independent concerts featuring a variety of local, regional, and nationally-touring talent in and around Westminster. Genres of focus include rock, folk, jazz, and pop: each event is curated with intention and care, with a distinct focus on dignity for audiences and artists alike. Our ethos is simple: Museum curator vision, grassroots heart, punk rock attitude. As a local performer and music educator with experience in the county from Kindergarten all the way through the post-collegiate and professional levels, I witnessed the apathy amongst Carroll's artistically vulnerable populations: primarily, 15-to-35-year olds who think there's nothing to do in Carroll County. Over the past year, Fine Tuned has sold over 500 tickets, has grown from 150 to over 900 followers, and has a mailing list of over 300 members. We have hosted over 30 artists from 13 states. Fine Tuned is expanding our community outreach efforts this summer by providing a free, donation-based summer show at the Westminster Skate Park. This is an upbeat, high-energy experience perfect for showing potential fans and supporters of Fine Tuned the impact we are making. By hosting an event at the skatepark, we are able to reach one of our primary demographics, the 15-to-30-year old creative looking for inspiration. By providing a high-quality, safe experience, folks will experience the magic of the growing live music scene here. We are hoping to turn this event into a series.

Ann Arbor, MI – Beaconsfield Block Club Community Park & Garden

2025-05-14T00:00:00Z

My Block Club (it’s a Detroit thing, similar to “neighborhood watch”) recently purchased three vacant lots from our city. Originally, we were planning to apply for a grant to do beautification projects in our community. If rewarded, we could have gotten up to $15,000; but we would have only been able to lease land for three months. On the other hand, purchasing land would automatically remove us from the pool of grant applications, but we would own land in our neighborhood. As the block club president, it is my responsibility to hold these conversations with my neighbors. After some consideration (and analyzing the long term goal of our community), we made an executive decision that purchasing land would be a better option. As long time residents (homeowners and renters), we would hold more stake in our community by investing in it. We have decided to turn the land into a community space/park for neighbors to gather, sit, pick flowers and enjoy.

Ipswich, MA – Little Bites, Big Impact at Doyon & Winthrop

2025-05-14T00:00:00Z

We are hoping to win to support the restocking of the snack stations at our two elementary schools, where every child has access to nutritious snacks throughout the day. These stations—located in the nurse’s office (Winthrop) or at the front desk (Doyon)—serve a dual purpose: they are not only a source of healthy fuel for growing bodies, but also a quiet, supportive space where students can take a break, self-regulate, and return to the classroom more focused and ready to learn. This isn’t just about snacks—it’s about well-being. There isn’t a single student who hasn’t benefited from these stations. Whether it’s a child who didn’t have time for breakfast, a student with extra energy who needs to step out and regroup, or someone just needing a quick moment of care and comfort, the snack station is always there. The challenge is that the demand is constant, and the supply often falls short. At Doyon Elementary, in particular, the burden of keeping the station stocked frequently falls on the shoulders of parents. Our goal is to eliminate that strain and ensure that all children—regardless of background or circumstance—have reliable access to healthy options when they need them most. With your support, we can keep these snack stations full of nutritious, kid-approved choices and continue to create small but powerful moments of care that make a big difference in our school community.

Ipswich, MA – Anti-Boredom Boxes

2025-05-14T00:00:00Z

This summer, I want to prevent kids from using their iPads or phones all the time. My idea is to create boxes with fun activities that will be fun for kids to use. I want to help kids use their imagination because, as I get older, I don't want to go to summer camp, so I don't know what to do. So I thought, why not make boxes of fun activities?!!! The boxes that I will make will all have a theme for different interests. For example, I will make a box for a person who likes to play card and board games or a box for someone who likes to make things such as clay sculptures or paintings. I would like to make about 20-25 of these boxes. I think that we could distribute them at the library and town hall at the beginning of the summer. I would like to aim for ages 8-11.

Ipswich, MA – Kindness Rock Snake in the Garden

2025-05-14T00:00:00Z

My idea is to create a Kindness Rock Snake—a long line of painted rocks shaped like a snake—right across from the library in the garden. People can walk by, take a rock that makes them smile, but only if they replace it with one they decorate themselves! To make it easy and fun, I want to have a little weather-safe box with acrylic markers and blank rocks so anyone can sit down and create something kind or beautiful. You don’t usually bring paper and pens when you’re outside, but this would give people a chance to be artistic right in nature—and feel good while doing it! It would help people spread kindness, use their creativity, and feel more connected to each other and our town. One small rock can make someone’s day!

San Francisco, CA – Strange Tundra

2025-05-13T00:00:00Z

Ever imagined music made with the sounds of ice paired with installation ice that melts as you listen? That's the enchanting concept behind Strange Tundra! Inspired by the poetic melting of Arctic ice, sonic designer and composer Xxhe (me!) is creating a symphony of fleeting melodies from frozen water paired with interpretive live dance. I will transform ice into whimsical instruments, and sing their ephemeral songs that change and evolve as they gracefully melt, while local professional contemporary dancers lend their unique styles to create improv performances inspired by the sounds and the act of melting. It's a beautiful conversation between sound and movement, where each dancer interprets the music in their own way, adding layers of visual poetry to the sonic landscape. We're even teaming up with brilliant climate scientists to turn ancient ice secrets into surprisingly beautiful tunes, while the dancers' movements echo the fragility and dynamism of our changing world. And the best part? - the water from these melting musical marvels will be used to nourish community gardens, creating a cycle of artistic and ecological renewal, all brought to life by the collaborative spirit of San Francisco artists.

Orlando, FL – Orlando Vocal Collective

2025-05-12T00:00:00Z

Orlando Vocal Collective presents: Cowboy Carter Live. This collective of top-tier vocalists provides a space to create high-level music with the variety of musicians locally available (something that is truly unique to Orlando) and without a corporate lens that limits creative expression. The overall goal is to have the Orlando Vocal Collective become a landmark musical element of the Orlando arts scene and a lasting place for vocal artists and musicians to create incredible art. We will explore the sonic textures of Beyoncés critically acclaimed body of work, Cowboy Carter, celebrating the connection between country music and Black culture!!!

St. Paul, MN – We Scream for Ice Cream!!!

2025-05-08T00:00:00Z

Congratulations to students enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools' Online Elementary School who will be enjoying ice cream treats thanks to AwesomeStPaul. Our May grantee is special education teacher Kimberly Zallaps who explained, "I am a teacher who works at the Online Elementary School in the St. Paul Public Schools. We have students in an online school (and also have programs for middle school and high school) because some families really enjoyed online learning. We are a Title 1 school. This means that many of the families at our school might not have the same resources that other families may have. We wanted to do something fun for our end-of-the-year school party but can't afford the ice cream truck that some of the other schools around can afford. We want to bring smiles to kids by hiring an ice cream truck to come to our school!"

St. Paul, MN – Math + Mini Golf

2025-05-08T00:00:00Z

We are excited to support students learning geometry through play. Congratulations to our May 2025 grantee, Elle Staley, 4th grade teacher at Crossroads Elementary School. According to Ms. Staley, "My 4th grade students will be starting a geometry unit in June! We are a year-round school, and keeping students engaged and learning in the summer months is a top priority. As students learn about different kinds of shapes, lines, and angles in class, I am going to extend their learning by challenging them to create their own mini golf course to enjoy with their peers and families this summer! Students will work in pairs to design a hole for the course that incorporates their geometry knowledge, such as showcasing 2D and 3D figures and measuring the angles for construction of the course. As part of this learning experience, I would love for my students to visit a mini golf course. This field trip would give students a chance to see a real-world example, modify their designs prior to construction, and have firsthand experience of what works, and doesn't when creating a hole for mini-golf."

Newcastle – Pocketbook Poetry Society

2025-05-07T00:00:00Z

Pocketbook Poetry Society is a community engagement program that invites young, emerging writers to express themselves through the art of poetry. Originally launched as an intimate gathering space, the program has quickly evolved into a thriving literary community. In just three months, it has grown from a small group of 20 members to a dedicated following of over 200 supporters, regularly drawing audiences of 50+ to monthly events hosted at Momo Wholefood. As an open mic event, Pocketbook Poetry Society invites a broad and diverse range of poets and writers—whether seasoned performers or first-time readers—to share their work in a supportive, judgment-free environment. This open format encourages participation from all walks of life. Through open mics, creative workshops, and collaborative writing sessions, Pocketbook Poetry Society empowers young adults to share their voices.

Newburgh, NY – Imaginatin Play Blocks for Newburgh!

2025-05-07T00:00:00Z

Our project aims to create a community-shared collection of imagination play blocks for children in Newburgh particularly used for the community Newburgh Pride family tent hosted by Safe Harbors and the Newburgh Pride Committee in June of this year! As the director of a small but might Montessori preschool Little Friends Learning Loft, I believe play is a FUNDAMENTAL right of children! Decades of research have demonstrated the wide benefits of self-directed play for children's mental and physical well-being and development. These benefits extend to improved literacy rates, healing from trauma, stronger community ties, and social engagement. Whatever successes we wish for our Newburgh children, play can help achieve them. These large, lightweight foam blocks will be available for community borrowing, enabling children to build, connect, and create endless possibilities at multiple venues: our local farmers market at Safe Harbors on the Green, the family tent we're hosting at Newburgh Pride, storytimes at local bookstores, and even birthday parties. By housing these blocks locally, we're creating a centralized resource that organizations and families can access, transforming imaginative play into a community asset rather than something limited to those who can afford expensive materials. In defense of play as a fundamental right, we're creating a resource that promotes self-directed creativity for all children. This project is fundamentally about defending children's right to open play in an increasingly structured world. Basically, play is the ROCKET FUEL for brain development!

Sydney – NoteWorthy

2025-05-07T00:00:00Z

**NoteWorthy** is a simple, joyful initiative designed to build stronger, kinder communities by encouraging small acts of connection in everyday moments. The concept is easy: community members write thoughtful, uplifting messages on colourful heart-shaped stickers. These stickers are then shared — placed on someone’s coffee cup, takeaway bag, or other small items at local cafés and businesses — spreading surprise moments of positivity and kindness. By partnering with local cafés, and small businesses, this project simultaneously supports local enterprise and nurtures social connection. Each note has the power to brighten someone’s day, create a ripple of goodwill, and remind people they belong to a caring community. Our approach actively involves volunteers, and community members in crafting and distributing the messages, making it an inclusive, accessible initiative for all ages and backgrounds. Importantly, NoteWorthy fosters intergenerational and cross-cultural engagement, reducing loneliness and strengthening community ties. With your support, we will cover the costs of printing stickers, supplying materials, and promoting the project widely to involve as many participants and local businesses as possible. We aim to distribute thousands of notes across Hornsby and surrounding areas, generating measurable increases in social connection, local business engagement, and community wellbeing. We already operate another program, called the **SideWalk Talk**, where we put chairs out in Hornsby mall once a month and using volunteers trained in heart-centred listening to sit and listen. As part of this initiative we put a table out with an opportunity to either take or write a note, so this is an extension of something we have been running for a few months now. This small, but powerful, initiative embodies grassroots kindness in action — accessible, scalable, and designed to make everyone feel valued and connected.

Newmarket – BRAVE

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

BRAVE Friday May 30 2025: The Salvation Army, at our location at Northridge Community Church, will be hosting a BRAVE event where we expect upwards to 100 girls aged 12 – 16 and volunteers to attend. Sponsors are needed to support the event financially as well as door prize items. BRAVE is an evening event to remind girls that they are valuable and worth being celebrated. There is an encouragement for them dream big for what their future can be. Our goal is to give them a boost of confidence and self-esteem and inspire them to be brave. BRAVE intentionally reaches vulnerable girls (foster care/probation/sexual abuse/divorce) who are at risk of human trafficking. BRAVE sees empowerment as the GOAL. We want girls to be strong and free. BRAVE celebrates diversity—all colors, shapes & sizes! BRAVE connects the community and the local church to work together. BRAVE believes girls are the solution not the problem Girls will be invited to attend the event from all across York Region. Referring sources will be from York Region CAS and other girl specific community programs as well as local churches. Information about BRAVE can be found on our church website as well as the international website: https://braveglobal.org/ https://www.northridgesa.com/brave

New York City, NY – Shower Power NYC - Fresh City Support

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

We're pleased to announce that our April grant has been awarded to **Shower Power**, an organization that works to expand access to personal hygiene resources by providing shower facilities and hygiene products to anyone in New York City who needs them. In their own words: _Founded in 2017, Shower Power is a hygiene justice organization working tirelessly to address the widespread need for clean, consistent, personal care resources in New York City. We are a key part of citywide efforts to increase access to shower facilities, toiletries, and hygiene products, with the goal of there being convenient, safe, and consistently available resources in every borough. The essential services we provide to our guests are also an entry-point to connecting them to important partner and government services and programs, from basic wound care to permanent housing. Most visibly we run our shower program in two boroughs, and provide toiletry kits through our own work and via our partner organizations doing street outreach around the city. Our work centers our guests, sees their inherent worth, and affirms their dignity._ _We have two locations: Harlem United, W.125th Street, NYC and Ridgewood Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, NY, where we offer free showers in a safe and dignified manner._ This grant will provide support for Shower Power's immediate needs of towels, bleach, hygiene items, socks, and more for their facilities with the longer term goal of providing more widespread availability of hygiene resources and programs, well-integrated with other services from their partner providers, all week, year round. _"We want to destigmatize homelessness and the individuals who experience it."_

State College, PA – Unity in Early Learning

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

Calvary Kid Care of Penns Valley (a non-profit early-childhood learning center) is trying to create the most positive environment possible by increasing staff retention and reducing workplace negativity. We serve many families in an lower income area and are always striving to make sure their children have the best head start we can give them. A way to achive this is to create a staff culture where people are positive and excited to work together. Our staff unity project will not only create bonds, but also create collaborative art! The Grounded Canary will host our unity day and create both self reflective art as well as group art projects that we will display both in our childhood center and throughout our community.

Ottawa – Messages from Ottawa / Elbows Up

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

April’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Velvet LeClair to support political art using papier mâché and cardboard. “One of my talents is making masks or heads of politicians,” explains Velvet, “and I have been known to wear my art to make statements and raise awareness about various issues.” “The #teslatakedown movement has arrived in Ottawa,” she continues, “and the participants have enjoyed my most recent performance. I dressed up like Donald Trump and danced like him for the crowd. They appreciated the art, the fun, and the subversive style. I am currently finishing up an Elon Musk mask and his child, X.” “My goal,” says Velvet, “is to make memes for social media to show an Ottawa reaction to all the craziness right now. Our country needs to be uplifted and united, and using art as a way to bridge a connection with the alt-right is needed. We also need to connect with the American people.” “I’ve already made at least 25 papier mâché masks of politicians. This funding will help me invest in the art supplies and teach other people the skills behind making art out of garbage.” Velvet describes herself as a middle-aged single mom who runs a home daycare. “I started making political art as a hobby when I was separating from my son’s father,” she says. “It was part of my healing journey and helped me through a difficult time. Over the years my hobby has become a coping mechanism for dealing with this world.”

Rhode Island – Cambodian Krama Project

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

The Cambodian krama, a traditional checkered scarf of many uses, holds complex cultural, historical, and personal significance for Cambodians cross-nationally. The krama has been a symbol of identity, community, resilience, and cultural continuity. In December 2024, the krama was added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This project will highlight the cultural and historical significance of the krama through portraits of, and oral history interviews with, individuals who continue to wear the krama in Providence, RI and its neighboring cities. As 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide, this project not only celebrates identity and fosters relationships in Cambodian community, but also encourages the general public to engage with Cambodian history. The Cambodian Krama Project will be a visually and emotionally impactful exploration of Cambodian identity, culture and resilience.

Disability – Vesna Biotech

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

Vesna Biotech is the first Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) manufacturer based in North Africa. Our mission is to revolutionize diabetes management in the MENA region by providing an affordable, accessible, and AI-powered glucose monitoring solution. Our team consists of passionate founders committed to improving the lives of people with diabetes. Our product, Vesna-100, is a smart patch that offers continuous, non-invasive glucose monitoring for people with diabetes. Unlike traditional glucometers that require painful and frequent finger pricks, Vesna-100 uses biocapteurs to monitor glucose levels 24/7 in real time. The data is then transmitted via Bluetooth to our mobile app, allowing patients to track their glucose trends effortlessly. Here is how our device is different: Real-time monitoring: Unlike traditional glucometers, which only provide single-point glucose measurements, our device provides continuous updates every five minutes. Pain-free experience: No more finger pricks—our smart patch is completely non-invasive. Longer durability: Vesna-100 lasts up to 90 days, compared to competing products that last only 3 to 8 weeks, reducing costs for patients. One of the most innovative features of Vesna-100 is its AI-driven glucose prediction model. Our app uses machine learning algorithms to analyze glucose trends and predict potential fluctuations up to 12 hours in advance. This enables: Better crisis prevention – reducing the risk of severe hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic episodes. Improved treatment decisions – patients and doctors can anticipate insulin dosage adjustments with greater accuracy. Peace of mind – users and their caregivers receive alerts before dangerous glucose levels occur. Unlike all our competitors, including Dexcom and Freestyle Libre, our predictive AI feature provides a significant advantage in diabetes management. **What our grantee is saying:** "At Vesna Biotech, we are developing the first continuous glucose monitoring device entirely made in North Africa. In the region, the diabetic community still relies on traditional glucometers to monitor their condition. Those devices that are painful, invasive, inconvenient, and time-consuming. Our device, the Vesna-100, aims to make their lives significantly easier and better. We’ve already developed a fully functional hardware MVP and an early prototype of our app. However, due to limited financial resources, we had to pause our work to focus on raising funds in order to complete the final phase of development and integrate AI features. This grant came at the perfect moment, combined with what we had already raised, we now have the resources needed for our next development sprints. That means we can finally resume work and bring this innovation closer to the people who need it most. This recognition from the Awesome Foundation is more than just funding—it’s a powerful encouragement to keep going. I’m grateful, and so is the whole team."

Liverpool (Inativo) – Liverpool women stand up to motherhood

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

The project is a documentary myself and a Liverpool-based filmmaker filmed last year, when a group of new mums in Liverpool took a brave step to find friendships and confidence. They all decided to embark upon a comedy course - ran by a local charity - to learn how to deliver a stand-up set about their struggles with motherhood. While making jokes about their lives, we also see them battle relationship breakdown, money worries, mental health struggles, PTSD and social isolation. But over the course of six months, they find confidence, friendships, and solidarity. With their stand-up routines perfected, they're ready to take to the final performance, in a theatre, in front of all their friends and family. There will be free screenings of the finished film across Liverpool, including at the charity's offices, to ensure that it connects mothers across the city, and helps them feel less isolated in the common challenges facing new mothers today.

Toronto – Worldʼs Largest Tamagotchi Wedding

2025-04-30T00:00:00Z

The Toronto Tamagotchi Club is an independent fan club that formed in December 2022 as a response to the "cultural crisis of loneliness" in a world newly post-quarantine. We are an all-ages community of Tamagotchi-lovers promoting analog connection through virtual pets. We have been regularly profiled across national news media for being delightful, and have inspired dozens other chapters internationally. In only 2 years, the Toronto Tamagotchi Club has grown to thousands of members, with free bimonthly meetups drawing an average of 100 guests. Our mission is to create a more inclusive, more magical, and more accessible Toronto. Find out more about us at torontotamagotchiclub.neocities.org. On August 10th, 2025, we are attempting to set the world record for the largest Tamagotchi wedding. Tamagotchi devices can marry in-game. This will be a mock wedding ceremony where guests are invited to wear wedding attire (including wedding dresses, tuxedos, and other cultural wedding garments) and “walk down the aisle” to marry off their Tamagotchis. Toronto Tamagotchi Club would like to complete this record to inspire real life friendships and invite wonder from players of all ages. Our participant volume has exceeded the capacity of our donated venue space, and due to the amount of planning involved and involvement of international guests, we are hesitant to rely on a free outdoor alternative. We are seeking funding to rent local indoor space to support the weatherproof execution of this event.

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Washington, DC – The Calvert Street Loop

2025-04-28T00:00:00Z

The Calvert Street Loop, named after a local bus line, is a printed quarterly neighborhood magazine conceived by a few residents interested in a creative project to bring our neighborhood closer together. Our neighborhood—more specifically the three streets of Calvert Street NW, Biltmore Street NW, and Cliffbourne Place NW—is one full of interesting people of all ages, and yet, thanks to Washington’s fast pace and transient culture, these are people that know very little about one another. Our solution is simple: a small local publication full of interviews, histories, artwork, poems, classifieds, restaurant recommendations, recipes, advice, and crosswords, printed and distributed four times a year. Our goal is to build community connections through light-hearted and informative pieces written for and by the neighbors that we live amongst, and it appears that many residents are interested—this idea has already generated some real excitement in the neighborhood, and we believe that a grant from the Awesome Foundation would enable our idea to pick up steam. We have printed our first edition (photos attached) through the generous financial backing of a single committed neighbor, but in the interest of not relying on such donations in perpetuity we are turning to the Awesome Foundation for their support of our next editions!

Kuala Lumpur – Hari Raya celebrations - b40 kids

2025-04-27T00:00:00Z

Dear friends, I am raising funds to pay for an upcoming Hari Raya celebrations for my favourite B40 kids and other school kids soccer training group at Sunway Semenyih soccer field which is held on Sunday mornings (except for public holidays or special holidays). The Hari Raya celebrations is proposed to be held at the Sunway Semenyih Soccer Field main stage area for Soccer training kids and parents and family and relatices. The donated funds will be used to pay for pre packed lunch and packet drinks/mineral water & hari raya pastries/cakes/biscuits and other related lucky draw gifts for every kid

Gloucester, MA – screen dream

2025-04-24T00:00:00Z

at our mens sober home, we are trying to put wifi, bluetooth screens in the guests bedrooms. this would allow guests to be able to do such things as virtual outpatient programs, video therapy, log into virtual classes, etc from the privacy of their rooms, and also be able to connect their headphones via bluetooth to not disturb possible roomates

Gloucester, MA – Fiesta Games

2025-04-24T00:00:00Z

Fiesta as you all know is about traditions, From the Greasy Pole to the blessing of the fleet we hold these close to our hearts each year. There is another tradition: the children's fiesta games, these games happen on Saturday and Sunday on Beach Court down the fort. Pie/watermelon eating contests, egg toss and pinatas. The Children get trophies and it is truly a family affair.

Oahu, HI – Marine Science Field Trip to Coconut Island

2025-04-22T00:00:00Z

My special education resource class seeks funding for an immersive marine science program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) on Coconut Island. This all-day experience will provide hands-on learning, beginning with a guided tour of HIMB's labs, followed by an "Invasive Algae and Invertebrate Lab" where students will analyze Gracilaria salicornia algae and its invertebrate inhabitants. Students will further explore Coconut Island's unique marine environment, observing coral reefs and participating in expert presentations tailored to their learning needs. Adaptations will ensure accessibility, with pre- and post-visit activities reinforcing the learning experience. This program addresses the critical need for experiential STEM education among special education students. By partnering with HIMB, we aim to enhance their scientific understanding, develop inquiry skills, and foster personal growth through direct interaction with Hawaii's marine ecosystems. Funding will cover transportation, program fees, adaptive materials, and establishing a sustainable partnership with HIMB. This opportunity will not only ignite a passion for marine science but also provide lasting benefits for our students' academic and personal development.

Yerevan – «ԼՈւՔ at Me»

2025-04-22T00:00:00Z

"ԼՈւՔ at Me" – Գյումրին՝ Հումորով Լցնելու Նախագիծ Պատկերացրեք՝ քայլում եք Գյումրու փողոցներով, և հանկարծ տեսնում եք ոչ թե սովորական մոխրագույն դիտահորերի կափարիչներ, այլ վառ գույներով նկարազարդված,հայտնի անեկդոտներով զվարճալի կոմիքսապատ կափարիչներ։Մեր "ԼՈւՔ at Me" նախագիծը հենց այդ է՝ փոխել սովորական դիտահորերի կափարիչները արվեստի և հումորի յուրահատուկ համադրությամբ:Գյումրին միշտ եղել է Հայաստանի ամենահումորային և մշակութային քաղաքը, որտեղ մարդիկ նույնիսկ դժվարությունների ժամանակ չեն կորցրել իրենց կատակելու ունակությունը: Սակայն այսօր, թեպետ գյումրեցիները շատ կատակասեր են, կյանքի տարբեր դժվարությունների մեջ նրանք հաճախ մոռանում են ժպտալու մասին։ Մենք ուզում ենք դա փոխել՝ քաղաքի փողոցներում ավելացնելով արվեստ ու հումոր, որը մարդկանց կհիշեցնի ժպիտի ուժի մասին:Ի՞նչ ենք առաջարկում Դիտահորերի կափարիչները երկար տարիներ պարզապես տեխնիկական նշանակություն են ունեցել՝ փակելով մուտքը քաղաքի կոյուղային համակարգերին և էլեկտրական լարերին։ Սակայն աշխարհում շատ երկրներ, ինչպես օրինակ Ճապոնիան, ԱՄՆ-ն, Գերմանիան և Իռլանդիան, սկսեցին օգտագործել դրանք որպես փողոցային արվեստի տարր, դարձնելով քաղաքներն ավելի գունեղ ու ինքնատիպ: Գյումրին, լինելով ոչ միայն մշակույթի, այլև հումորի մայրաքաղաք, պետք է ունենա իր սեփական՝ կոմիքսային փողոցային արվեստը։ Մենք ուզում ենք նկարազարդել քաղաքի դիտահորերի կափարիչները Գյումրվա ամենահայտնի անեկդոտներով և սուր հումորով, դարձնելով դրանք քաղաքի յուրահատուկ խորհրդանիշներ: Յուրաքանչյուր կափարիչ կունենա գունեղ կոմիքս, Գյումրվա բարբառով կարճ զրույց կամ սուր հումորային արտահայտություն, որը ստիպելու է մարդկանց նայել ներքև, ժպտալ ու հիշել Գյումրու ուրախ ոգին: Ինչո՞ւ է սա կարևոր Արվեստի ու հումորի համադրություն– Դիտահորերը կդառնան փողոցային արվեստի գործեր, որոնք կհիշեցնեն մարդկանց ժպտալու մասին:Տուրիստական գրավչություն – Գյումրին արագ զարգացող տուրիստական կենտրոն է, և այս նկարազարդումները կլինեն գունեղ ֆոտոանկյուններ, որոնք գրավիչ կլինեն զբոսաշրջիկների համար: Տեղական մշակույթի պահպանում – Նախագիծը կօգնի պահպանել ու տարածել Գյումրվա մշակույթը։Կստեղծվի թվային քարտեզ։

Chicago, IL – Made in Chicago Literary Fun Run Tour + Q&A

2025-04-22T00:00:00Z

Read & Run Chicago uses movement and stories to explore our city by hosting events with book-themed guided runs where the story takes place, followed by Q&As with local authors. On November 8, 2025, we’re hosting a six-mile guided running tour through Chicago’s Avalon Park, Chatham, and Greater Grant Crossing neighborhoods on the South Side in partnership with authors Monica Eng and David Hammond inspired by their book, Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites. Along the route, we’ll stop at four local eateries and learn about their history and their iconic South Side creations like Jim Shoe, steak and lemonade, and more. After the route, we’ll end with an author discussion with Monica and David and a taste-testing at the Chicago Public Library Avalon Branch. This event will be free and open to the public with a capacity of 80 runners. The goal is to bring people from all over the Chicagoland area to the South Side to run together in a neighborhood few tourists and visitors go to, and also use the story and food to celebrate the people and businesses of this area.

Newmarket – Huron Heights Jazz Band at MusicFest Canada

2025-04-22T00:00:00Z

The Huron Heights Secondary School Jazz Band is an exciting, high energy performing ensemble from Newmarket. In 2024, the band earned multiple gold awards at regional music festivals, and finished their festival season with a silver award at the MusicFest Canada national festival. With the help of the Awesome Project, the band is hoping for another shot at gold on the national stage.

Pittsburgh, PA – Room Party

2025-04-21T00:00:00Z

We are the four co-curators of Room Party, the first-ever large-scale group exhibition of contemporary art by furry artists. Room Party will include work from over fifty artists and a full schedule of free-to-attend public arts programming. The show will open on June 6th, 2025 at Bunker Projects, a non-profit arts organization in Pittsburgh, and will run through mid-July. The name of the exhibition is a nod to the underground DIY subculture of guerrilla parties held in hotel rooms during furry conventions. Through personal experiences attending and hosting these “room parties,” we have seen firsthand how a community of weirdos who like to dress up as funny cartoon animals flip their hotel rooms into bustling coffee shops, arthouse movie theaters, all-night neon raves, or whatever else captures the imagination. With this, these hotel rooms transform from dry corporate private spaces into essential community-run gathering spaces for individuals to come together for the sake of art and each other, free of inhibitions or judgment—even if only for the convention weekend. Our hope is to bring the love we feel in these spaces beyond the convention, as we invite the greater Pittsburgh community to join our room party experience. With our focus on public programming, we want our exhibition to serve as a true community space where Pittsburghers from all circles of life can connect through art, and the strange furry world that this art comes from.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Pride in the Sky

2025-04-21T00:00:00Z

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 4–10 PM, Friends of the Walkway, in partnership with Big Gay Hudson Valley, will proudly present the second annual Pride in the Sky at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. This free, public celebration centers LGBTQ+ joy, identity, and visibility in one of the Hudson Valley’s most iconic and accessible public spaces. With over 3,500 attendees in its inaugural year and more expected in 2025, Pride in the Sky transforms the bridge into a vibrant gathering place for the queer community and allies from across the region. The event features LGBTQ+ organizations, drag and DJ performances, and a powerful procession of a 900-foot section of the original 8-color Pride flag. New this year is the debut of a 125-foot-long Trans Pride flag—raising visibility for the transgender community and continuing its journey at Pride events nationwide. Pride in the Sky also includes daytime programming: a morning Fun Run on the bridge, free tours of the Clearwater (reimagined as “Queerwater”) with Drag Story Time, the Proud Pet Paw-rade, live music from Minorikeys, and pop-up performances along the span. The 2025 Queer Adventure Guide & Map, developed with Dutchess and Ulster Tourism, will launch at the event, along with the return of the I LOVE NY Pride-themed sculpture. Hosting Pride in a state park affirms LGBTQ+ belonging in civic spaces. It fosters inclusion, community, and healing, especially for those who don’t always feel seen in public life. More than a celebration, Pride in the Sky is a statement of solidarity and a beacon of hope at a critical moment for LGBTQ+ rights.

Miami, FL – Footloose & Fabulous: Seniors Keeping Beats Alive

2025-04-17T00:00:00Z

I seek funding to offer series of line dancing classes for seniors. This will provide an engaging, low-impact fitness activity that promotes physical health, cognitive well-being, and social connection for older adults. We aim to foster a sense of community, enhance seniors' physical and mental fitness, and create opportunities for social engagement, since as our population ages, maintaining physical activity and social engagement becomes increasingly important. Also studies have shown that physical activity in older adults can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve mental health, and boost overall well-being. Social isolation is another significant concern for seniors, particularly those living alone. In addition, many older adults struggle to find ways to remain active and connected with others. Line dancing provides an accessible, enjoyable, and effective solution to both issues. The "Line Dancing for Seniors" program will offer weekly classes over, which will be led by experienced instructors skilled in working with seniors. The curriculum will include a range of line dance styles, from traditional to contemporary, with adaptations to accommodate various fitness levels. Each class will focus on a 45-60 minute session of dancing, followed by social time where participants can enjoy refreshments and chat with fellow dancers. The program will be designed for seniors aged 60 plus, including individuals with limited mobility. We aim to engage 30 seniors in the first year, with the goal of expanding the program to include more participants in subsequent years. To measure the effectiveness of the program, we will collect both quantitative and qualitative data. This will include pre- and post-program surveys to assess improvements in physical health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. Additionally, feedback will be gathered from participants and success measured by the number of active participants, overall satisfaction, and positive health outcomes.

Kingston – Accessible Seating for Outdoor Performance

2025-04-17T00:00:00Z

Each summer dance enthusiasts gather to watch professional dance while overlooking the beautiful water at Lake Ontario Park. The Ground Up Dance Festival has received outstanding reviews for the artistic experience we provide in our outdoor performance event. Over two nights the community of Kingston packs their camping chairs, and blankets to sit on the hill and stairs at Lake Ontario Park to enjoy live performances. However this year instead of everyone sitting on the grass, we want to upgrade our audience's viewing experience and provide a section of chairs that can enable accessible and safe seating closer to the performance area. Providing accessible art experiences is one of our main platforms. Our community have diverse needs, therefore we want to make sure we are providing diverse viewing experiences. This annual performance is becoming a highlight of the festival scene in Kingston, and we want to make sure the community has the desire to come back year after year. We have about 200 people each night. A mix of families, children, and mature adults gathering. We believe that if we were able to provide a section of comfortable seating that we could access another group of art going viewers that wouldn’t originally come because of the sitting circumstances. We work with the City of Kingston to utilize non traditional performance areas as gathering places for art. This funding would ensure that we can continue to explore the beautiful outdoor facilities that span our city like parks, squares, waterfront, and gazebo areas. The seating situation has been our major concern regarding this major part of the festival. However the art funding we receive is stipulated to go towards mainly artist fees, therefore leaving little room for production equipment. This is why we are seeking further funding from our community.

Cass Clay – Writing Your Story: Especially in Days of Turmoil

2025-04-15T00:00:00Z

I would hold four writing workshops free of charge for participants. We would start with how to move from idea stage to the page and then each week would build on that work. Participants would experience a variety of instruction, open writing time, peer critique opportunities, and writing guidance from myself. We all have stories inside of us. How can we get those to the page so they can not only help us make sense of the world, but our words can inspire others! The four sessions would each be two hours long, with an option for extended time for those interested in doing more. All I would need is a location. All other supplies would be provided.