tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/projects 2026-06-11T14:35:03Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/580833 2026-06-11T00:00:00Z 2026-06-11T14:35:03Z Each Saturday I meet with the youth and young adults in Ellwood Park. We clean the trash and remove the needles (the children do not touch the needles) from the park and the surrounding outer edges of the park. During the summer, we are going to build a garden and fishpond during the clean-up. To further engage the youth and young adults during the summer we want to keep the children engaged in positive activates to prevent and reduce crime while building and enhancing their future outlook. Dione Rodman Ellwood Park Youth Clean-Up Project United States Baltimore, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/580900 2026-06-11T00:00:00Z 2026-06-11T14:27:57Z We are one of the only transgender-led, COVID-conscious, anti-colonialist, grassroots exercise groups in Baltimore. We practice Irish stick fighting martial arts (bataireacht) to not only kick ass, but also make sure there is a radically inclusive space where we can build community by bonking each other with sticks. Literally blood, sweat, and tears. This safe space has been extra special as trans folks have been increasingly marginalized (by law!), the effects of long COVID continue to threaten the health of some of our members, infrastructure is hostile to people with disabilities, and there has been a backlash against a culture of consent. Being in a space that views these challenges not as burdens to overcome, but as flavors of life we should celebrate, is freeing. Over years, we were able to build this awesome community of queer-majority, COVID-conscious, ability-inclusive, martial artists in Baltimore City through our weekly in-person classes. Then, at the beginning of 2026, our coach made the tough decision to leave the awesomeness of Baltimore for the banality of Philly. We do not fault him for it, but we miss the charm he brought to the city. Keeping the spirit alive here in Baltimore has been a challenging, but welcomed quest. We have been having weekly study sessions but we hope to host a tournament to deepen our practice. We hope that you will help support us getting gear and safety equipment for our showdown this Summer! Loam Nelson on Behalf of Irish Stick Fighting Study Group Irish Stick Fighting (Bataireacht) Summer Showdown United States Baltimore, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/581729 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:57:41Z Thank you for considering support for opportunities like our Josh Talks. Josh Canfield is a 22-year-old autistic individual with Down syndrome who was once considered nonverbal. Through determination, intensive motor development training, and consistent practice, Josh has learned to communicate openly by typing on a keyboard, allowing him to share his thoughts, experiences, and perspective on living under a diagnosis. Josh's journey demonstrates that when individuals are provided with appropriate motor development supports, communication, purpose, and productivity can emerge in ways that many never thought possible. His goal is to help others understand that a diagnosis does not define a person's intelligence, potential, or ability to contribute meaningfully to their community. The Motor Development Foundation has helped fund programs and services that are often not covered by county or state resources. These opportunities have been life-changing for Josh and have played a critical role in helping him gain access to reliable communication. Without these supports, Josh would not have the voice he has today. Through Josh Talks, Josh shares his story to raise awareness, inspire hope, and educate the community about the importance of presuming competence and providing access to communication. These events also help raise funds for scholarships and innovative programs that support individuals with complex communication and motor challenges. Josh resides in Cuyahoga County, as do many of the children, teens, and adults who benefit from the Motor Development Foundation's programs. Grant funding would help us expand these opportunities, increase community awareness, and provide more families in Cuyahoga County with access to life-changing communication and motor development supports. Katy Custer Josh Talk 4 http://Modevfoundation.com United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/567601 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:19:52Z The JOBS Program is a workforce development and life stabilization initiative designed to help participants overcome barriers to employment, education, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program serves individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, justice involvement, housing instability, educational barriers, unemployment, and limited access to economic opportunities. Hosted at the Field Library in Peekskill, the program creates a welcoming and community-centered environment where participants can rebuild confidence, develop professional skills, and prepare for meaningful employment and career advancement. The JOBS Program combines workforce readiness training with personal development support. Participants receive assistance with resume building, interview preparation, digital literacy, communication skills, financial literacy, career exploration, and job readiness. The program also connects participants to supportive resources that help address barriers that often prevent long-term success. What makes this project unique is its focus on restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope. Many participants have experienced setbacks that left them disconnected from stable employment pathways. The JOBS Program helps bridge that gap by providing practical tools, mentorship, encouragement, and access to resources within a safe and supportive setting. The program is intentionally designed to meet participants where they are and help them move toward sustainable independence. By partnering with community organizations and utilizing trusted community spaces like the library, the initiative increases accessibility for individuals who may not otherwise engage in workforce systems. Alicia Simmons JOBS Program http://www.homelessremedies.org United States Peekskill, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/peekskill tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/555459 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-11T05:25:49Z Hello awesome people! Have you ever seen a beaver in a newstand selling beaver news and spreading the good word of river conservation? Me either! The people of San Francisco have been deprived for too long and it's about dam time that we bring them what they deserve. I have been granted the privilege of occupying a newstand kiosk for 6 months in efforts to help bring more art to downtown SF. My duty is to provide good cheer, absurdity, information, and logs. A task that I hold near and dear to my chest. I beavlieve that the world needs more whimsy and play, especially at busy FiDi intersections. Bring back the Beave! In the streets and in the rivers. If the macro is a reflection of the micro, perhaps the best way to promote the reintroduction of beavers into rivers is through absurd ways of sharing information. My master plan is to: (1) lure them in with human castoreum (aka jokes); (2) capture attention using absurdities (aka beaver conspiracies); (3) hit 'em with the facts (aka introduce the history of beavers and their importance in preserving balanced river ecology); (4) change the world for the better using good cheer and beaver jokes. Bianca Lago Beaver News Live United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/579449 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:59:00Z The East Cleveland Community Choir is a free weekly singing group launching in June at Loiter, a community arts and cultural space in East Cleveland. The choir brings together seniors from across East Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods to sing, share stories, build friendships and reduce social isolation. A feature on Loiter's website is soon to follow. Many participants are older residents who have deep connections to the city's history but face barriers to participating in cultural activities, including transportation costs, mobility challenges and limited access to welcoming social spaces. The choir creates a regular opportunity for connection, creativity and joy in a neighborhood where opportunities specifically designed for seniors are limited. Alongside singing, sessions include time for conversation, refreshments and the sharing of personal memories connected to songs, places and community life. The project helps preserve local stories while strengthening relationships between residents. The Awesome Foundation grant would help ensure that participation remains free and accessible. By supporting transportation assistance, shared meals and basic session resources, the grant would directly increase attendance and make it easier for seniors to participate consistently. The choir is hosted by Loiter, an East Cleveland-based cultural organization committed to community building, creative participation and neighborhood stewardship. The project aims to create a sustainable, welcoming space where older residents can build community through music and shared experience. In a city often defined by narratives of decline, the choir offers something simple but powerful: a place to gather, sing, laugh, remember and belong. Ben Smith East Cleveland Community Choir https://loiter.us/ United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/514364 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:58:17Z With the input of the mental health professionals who work at my old elementary school (Onaway Elementary in Shaker Heights, OH), I would like to purchase mental health-themed books for a parent/caregiver lending library for parents of children struggling with mental health issues and or social emotional problems. Yvette Pohlman Mental Health Child Caregiver Lending Library United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/567106 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:19:16Z I am the social worker at Peekskill High School. Over the past five years I have run an after school cooking club with ten to twelve participants a year. many of the students I work with as a social worker suffer from poverty, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and other mental health conditions, and each year the club is a low-stress place where they can come, be a part of a group, learn meaningful skills, and have fun. We've made the four roman pasta dishes, quesabirria, chocolate chip cookies, fried chicken, a clone of Shake Shack's burger, and countless other dishes. Usually the kids walk home with ingredients to prepare the dishes at home. The group has proven to be as crucial an element of my work with the kids as my counseling sessions. At the end of each year, I try to organize a tip to a top-tier NYC restaurant. I am a food writer on the side, and through my contacts I have been able to organize trips two out of the five years, free of charge. This, of course, is challenging to pull off consistently, however. School funding to my program was cut at the end of last year. I was able to secure enough private gifts to pay for groceries for this year, but I'm currently working to arrange funding for next year. Michael Diago Cooking Club https://bittmanproject.com/tales-of-an-accidental-cooking-club/ United States Peekskill, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/peekskill tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/565389 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T12:03:01Z My friend, Michael, and I started EcoMiles a few months ago. Every Sunday at 7:30 AM, we gather a community at East Coast Park (C2 carpark), roll up our sleeves, and Plog! Plogging is an exercise combined with trash-picking. Both Michael and I are on our school's Varsity Cross Country team, and we absolutely love the fitness community--while we're also passionate about improving Singapore's green space, which isn't as perfect as people may imagine. In the past 9 sessions, we've collected 145 kg+ of trash — and that's just from going out 1km and back! We decided to use the term "Plogging" and call ourselves "Ploggers" because we want to combine both the fitness community and environmental community to thrive together. So far, we've brought together dozens of high school students, our parents, adults, and even middle schoolers, and we hope to continue to build our community to all ages! https://www.ecomiless.com/ Sam Chang EcoMiles http://ecomiless.com Singapore Singapore https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/singapore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/566016 2026-06-07T00:00:00Z 2026-06-08T14:36:51Z What better way to celebrate clean water than joining neighbors in a unique journey of art-making, ending with a community procession through the City of Newburgh! Whether participating in creative workshops or joining the day of our procession - it is a time to commemorate the waters flowing into and through our great city! Community Art-Making & Celebratory "WaterWorks!" Procession: A series of workshops where community members will create art pieces that reflect the community, its environment and the experiences with contamination and vision for a clean future. The initiative will conclude with a community art procession, celebrating resilience and demanding environmental accountability. Through this program we hope to raise awareness, empower action, and create community connections. Jennifer Rawlison Art-Making & Celebratory "WaterWorks!" Procession https://www.facebook.com/share/1EQC8HcELL/ United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/581990 2026-06-07T00:00:00Z 2026-06-08T14:36:21Z The Old Town Cemetery Wildflower Walkway is a high-visibility beautification project along the Old Town Cemetery railing on Liberty Street and South Street in the City of Newburgh. It will transform an underutilized strip along the cemetery railing into a seasonal wildflower walkway that brings color, life, and care to one of Newburgh’s most historic public spaces. The project has four goals. First, it will encourage residents and visitors to walk north along Liberty Street beyond South Street, toward under-pedestrianized blocks that include local businesses such as Blacc Vanilla and Happy Deli 2. A continuous wildflower edge can make the walk feel safer, more inviting, and more connected. Second, it will draw attention to Old Town Cemetery, one of Newburgh’s important historic assets. The cemetery is rich with local lore, early American history, and distinctive architecture, yet many pedestrians pass by without fully noticing it. The planting will act as a visual invitation to see the cemetery as a place of history, beauty, and civic pride. Third, the walkway will support pollinators and urban biodiversity by providing food and habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects. Fourth, the project will bring together neighbors, youth volunteers, preservation advocates, local businesses, and community groups around a visible, achievable public improvement. In addition to the wildflower meadow, nearby businesses on the west side of the block, including the laundromat and two delis, will receive large terracotta planters with boxwood, ivy, and seasonal marigolds. A sign will be installed on the cemetery railing, and a new trash can will be placed near Liberty Street and Gidney Avenue to support cleanliness. Volunteers will remove litter, lightly prepare the soil, hand-broadcast a Northeast-adapted wildflower seed mix, and install the planters. Cian Hamill Old Town Cemetery Wildflower Walkway United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/541271 2026-06-07T00:00:00Z 2026-06-08T01:21:33Z The Liberation Paddle Out (LPO) is a free, community gathering that opens the door for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to experience the ocean in Santa Cruz in a welcoming and supportive environment. Hosted by Black Surf Santa Cruz, the event provides surf instruction, ocean and water safety education, and free access to wetsuits and surfboards so that cost or equipment are never barriers to participation. Santa Cruz is home to some of the most beautiful public beaches in the world, yet many communities have not historically felt included in surf culture or coastal recreation. For many participants, barriers such as financial constraints, lack of equipment, limited swimming experience, transportation challenges, and experiences of exclusion or discrimination have made the ocean feel out of reach. Liberation Paddle Out is designed to change that. Through mentorship from experienced volunteer surfers and water people, participants receive hands-on guidance, encouragement, and ocean safety education in a space intentionally rooted in belonging and community care. The event creates an atmosphere where people can build confidence in the water while connecting with others who share similar experiences. By helping people feel comfortable and confident in coastal spaces, Liberation Paddle Out expands who gets to experience the ocean and helps cultivate a new generation of diverse ocean stewards in Santa Cruz County. Esabella Bonner BSSC's 6th Annual Liberation Paddle Out https://www.blacksurfsantacruz.org/programs United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/570448 2026-06-05T00:00:00Z 2026-06-05T14:24:40Z When I was seven, my grandmother folded a paper crane from an old grocery flyer in our Houston backyard. She told me cranes used to fly over the rice fields of her village in China, that they mate for life, and were disappearing. That was how I learned about Mother Earth. One fold at a time. Years later, my friend Mia leaned over during an EnviSci Club meeting and whispered, "I just need three more NHS hours." Around us, classmates scrolled during a slideshow on deforestation. Per the Aspen Institute (2025), only 12% of American teens feel informed about climate solutions. There, I saw, to fuel climate passion, I must be creative. So I built Origami for Environmental Conservation. Through workshops, tutorials, and a global chapter network, we pair every fold with environmental science: endangered species, pollution, deforestation, water systems. In a Houston session, students folded paper boats from old newspapers while learning how 80% of ocean plastic enters through rivers (UNEP, 2024). The fold and the lesson are the same motion. Our network has run workshops in Rockaway NY, Hamilton NJ, Houston TX, and 50+ countries, led by a team of 16. In March 2025, I testified before all 15 Texas SBOE reps in Austin, including my district rep Will Hickman, and our work was cited in the 2025 TXSBOE Resolution. Recognitions: WAFF Global Teen Leader through Three Dot Dash, Gloria Barron Prize, 40K+ on Insta @origami.forgood, and ISEF Grand/Special Awards for foldable water-toxin sensor research developed alongside our curriculum. The next step: a free, downloadable K-12 curriculum teachers in Florida, Georgia, and other states without mandated climate education can run as workshops, lessons, or clubs. The first 50 printed kits ship to pilot classrooms in Fall 2026, with origami paper, species cards, and lesson plans tied to each fold. After Mia folded her first sea turtle, she texted: "I didn't know plastic killed this many. Can we do another next week?" Vivian Huilin Liu Origami for Good: Environmental Conservation Art https://www.origamiforgood.org/environment Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/546877 2026-06-05T00:00:00Z 2026-06-05T23:54:23Z Wire snare poaching is decimating wildlife in Zimbabwe's National Parks. Animals that escape snares drag them through the bush; wire slowly cuts through flesh, causing septic wounds and slow death. Rangers cannot locate these injured animals in dense mopane woodland where visibility is limited and traditional visual surveys are ineffective. Current thermal drone methods detect the animal itself requiring line-of-sight or open terrain. In dense bush, this fails. This project responds to that challenge with a novel conservation technology approach: using thermal imaging to detect the heat signature of snare injuries, not just the animal itself. On March 10, 2026, Monash University researchers published groundbreaking findings in Marine Pollution Bulletin: thermal drones can detect entangled Cape fur seals by the inflammatory heat signature of their wounds, achieving 81% detection rates from 50+ meters altitude. Wounded tissue emits a distinct thermal pattern visible even when the animal itself is obscured. This project will test that idea in a real conservation setting in Zimbabwe, where the need is urgent and the operational context is difficult. Jesca Gamu Manyika Thermal Guardians: Detecting Snare Injuries Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/558758 2026-06-03T00:00:00Z 2026-06-03T21:16:28Z On 20th June, community organisers Paz Roman and Larissa Dulat will host a Refugee Week Cultural Day at the Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville. This community-led celebration honours the strength, culture, and contributions of refugee communities across Sydney. We are reapplying for this funding as our efforts to secure alternative financial support have been unsuccessful. Key logistics are fully locked in: venue secured, First Nations smoking ceremony representative confirmed, and a full cohort of 24 stallholders from refugee and First Nations communities ready to participate. We are in the process of securing artists for cultural performances or live music. Program Highlights Cultural Stalls & Art: Showcasing traditions and works from diverse refugee and First Nations backgrounds. Performances & Food: Live music and traditional cuisines. Children's corner: arts and crafts facilitated by volunteer teachers. Social Impact: Organisers will host a stall with all funds raised donated to the Blak Caucus and Refugee Advice and Casework Services. Accessibility: Stall holders from refugee and First Nations communities participate at no cost to ensure zero barriers to entry. This event is a celebration of resilience and belonging. With the hall secured and key representatives confirmed, your support will directly enable this vital community connection. Larissa Dulat Refugee Week 2026 Market Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/550113 2026-06-03T00:00:00Z 2026-06-10T06:07:30Z Oh My Folklore is a creative platform dedicated to preserving and reawakening the rich tapestry of local folklore within Newcastle and its surrounding areas. Our project seeks to revive a fading cultural practice: the sharing of local myths, legends, and oral histories that have long shaped community identity, collective memory, and a sense of place. For generations, storytelling (whether rooted in truth, mystery, or collective imagination) has connected people to their landscapes, as well as to each other. Oh My Folklore aims to reignite this cultural spark by uncovering and reinterpreting stories spanning from early colonial settlement in Newcastle and its surrounds through to contemporary local lore. By drawing on archival material, community contributions, and intergenerational oral storytelling, the channel will serve as a living repository of Newcastle’s cultural narratives. Through cinematic short-form videos and longer documentary-style pieces, these stories will be brought to life in a format that resonates with modern social media oriented audiences. Each work will be intentionally open-ended, encouraging audience participation, discussion, and the ongoing evolution of local storytelling traditions. In doing so, the project not only preserves history but actively invites the community to contribute to it. The impact of Oh My Folklore will highlight storytelling, but also inspire locals to rediscover hidden histories, not-so-known local places, and shared 'legends'. The project will foster deeper community connection and cultural pride. It also has the potential to support regional tourism by highlighting lesser-known sites and narratives that make Newcastle unique. Ultimately, Oh My Folklore will act as both a local archive and storytelling catalyst. We aim to honour the past while empowering a new generation to engage with, reinterpret, and continue the stories that have shaped Newcastle and Hunter communities. Emily Connell Oh My Folklore https://www.instagram.com/ohmyfolklore_/ Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/523847 2026-06-03T00:00:00Z 2026-06-03T11:57:26Z I am hoping to run a small group program, for a 4–6-week period, for adolescent girls who have experienced sexual assault. The group program would focus on connection, resilience, healing and empowerment. The group aims to reduce isolation and promote recovery. Whilst the direction and content of the group will be generated by participants, ideas that will be proposed to them include self-care and pampering, building resilience, creating an awareness or support resource for other young women. There is considerable research as to the therapeutic benefits of group programs in recovery from violence and abuse. I do not believe there is a group of this kind currently running in our LGA. Erin Baxter Reconnect and Empower Group Program Australia Lower Hunter https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/lowerhunter tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/515924 2026-06-02T00:00:00Z 2026-06-02T16:43:43Z Xaria Does It! is a new documentary television show presented by Austin PBS. Each episode follows comedian and Austinite, Xaria J'Stone Coleman, as she learns from experts in art and culture around ATX—culminating with a live event where she'll show off what she's learned. The season 1 finale of Xaria Does It! will culminate with Xaria learning from the fabulous artists of the Paramount Theater's annual Majestic Ball, filming in June 2026. ​ Xaria Does It! celebrates the messiness and resilience of being a beginner and spotlights the talented artists, entrepreneurs and icons who are preserving Austin's history and identity. Xaria Coleman Xaria Does It! http://www.xariadoesit.com United States Austin, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/austin tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/558733 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z 2026-06-02T01:17:00Z On June 21st, 2026, we will be presenting the second annual Waterway Horns. This event takes place in New York City, and involves musicians on land and sea, performing together, and a connective, joyous event. Numerous musicians will be on a tugboat, outfitted with Staten Island Ferry Horns, playing in duet with 20-30 musicians along the land. Stefan Zeniuk Waterway Horns https://www.instagram.com/p/DKagJRnph6K/ Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/495999 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z 2026-06-01T23:49:42Z Since 2021, the Ivanhoe Village Design Committee has worked to transform a long-overlooked parcel along Virginia Drive into a welcoming pocket park for everyone who lives, works, and visits our district. Designed to be fully accessible, shaded, and flexible, the space invites neighbors to pause, connect, and feel part of the creative energy that defines Ivanhoe Village. With support from the Awesome Foundation, we hope to add a vibrant public art installation that celebrates the heart of our community. The project will feature six (6) 2’x3’ art panels mounted on the park’s existing fence, each serving as a canvas for local and emerging artists. These panels will showcase original artwork that reflects the character, culture, and color of Ivanhoe Village, empowering artists as small business owners and contributors to our district’s identity. To keep the installation fresh, the artwork will be replaced annually, ensuring that the park continues to evolve with our community. One panel will be created in collaboration with the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), offering an engaging, educational graphic about the nearby city well: connecting art, infrastructure, and everyday life in a creative way. This project extends beyond beautification: it strengthens the connection between public space, art, and economic vitality. It will transform a functional fence into an open-air gallery, turning the park into a place where residents gather, visitors linger, and local artists are celebrated. Allex Pocket Park Art Exhibits http://ivanhoevillage.org/ United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/572781 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z 2026-06-02T01:16:44Z I am building a mobile marine tracking and community outreach initiative to protect humpback whales during their breeding season in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and bring ocean conservation directly to coastal schools. I am a 25-year-old marine biologist and two-time Antarctic researcher. Recently, public scientific funding in Argentina collapsed. Refusing to let my career pause, I took absolute ownership: I spent months analyzing polar data ad honorem while baking and selling homemade cookies to buy a one-way ticket to follow the whales. This June, I am deploying for a 5-month field season with the NGO Amigos da Jubarte. - Why is this project awesome?: It strips away stiff academic bureaucracy and puts raw passion and data directly onto the water. My project operates on two simple pillars: - Active Fieldwork on the Water: Spending my days aboard research boats surveying the ocean to track, log, and photo-identify humpback whale populations in their vital breeding corridors. - Open Science Communication: Bringing the ocean to the people. I will deliver vibrant, free educational workshops to local coastal schools, translating raw data into human emotion so regular people care about marine ecosystems. The host NGO provides the field platform but zero financial assistance. I already have the technical skills, an international research grant from IDEA WILD, global backing from the Women in Ocean Science mentorship, and my outbound ticket. This $1,000 grant is the exact catalyst that removes my final bottleneck: it secures my return transit and shared volunteer housing. Your support keeps a relentless young scientist active on the water for 5 months, turning a micro-logistical solution into immediate, tangible impact for marine life and coastal communities. Paula Benedetti Antarctica to Brazil: Saving Whales http://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-benedetti Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/557343 2026-05-31T00:00:00Z 2026-06-02T20:25:31Z Most apps tell you where to go. CalmConnect helps you feel safe enough to go there. For people with autism, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or sensory sensitivities, the barrier isn't always physical , it's not knowing what you're walking into. A restaurant might have a ramp, but if it's loud, chaotic, and completely unpredictable, it's effectively off-limits. That uncertainty is the wall. And right now, no mainstream platform consistently helps people see past it. CalmConnect is a sensory accessibility platform that helps people understand how a place actually feels before they arrive, noise level, crowd intensity, lighting, atmosphere, and overstimulation risk. But it's not a static review app. It's built around the reality that sensory experience is deeply personal. The platform learns each user's comfort levels and sensitivities over time, so recommendations aren't just about the place, they're about whether that place is right for you, today. Someone with auditory sensitivity gets a different read on the same café than someone who finds background noise grounding. The data powering this comes from the community itself, real people contributing real experiences: "Unbearably loud after 7pm." "Morning hours are calm and manageable.” "The staff were patient and never rushed me." That knowledge exists right now, scattered across Reddit threads and private conversations between caregivers. We're building the infrastructure to capture it, structure it, and make it actionable at scale. The same way Google Maps built the infrastructure layer for physical navigation, we're building it for how the world feels. So more people can stop avoiding life and start living in it, fully, on their own terms. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving this grant is incredibly meaningful to us because it acknowledges a problem we have seen firsthand: many people with autism, anxiety, and sensory sensitivities avoid places, opportunities, and experiences simply because the environment is unknown. CalmConnect was created to make those situations more predictable, accessible, and manageable. This support will help us continue improving the platform, work directly with users and disability organizations, and expand features that empower people to navigate the world with greater confidence and independence. We're grateful to the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter for believing in our vision and helping us bring it to more people." Ahan Banerjee and Pranay Kancharla CalmConnect Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/547528 2026-05-31T00:00:00Z 2026-06-02T20:23:22Z Every year, hundreds of thousands of NYC Housing Court cases are filed. Most tenants appear without a lawyer, and many lose their cases, but not because the law was against them. They lose instead due to things like missing a 30-day deadline they didn't know existed, filing in the wrong courthouse, or not knowing that a pending motion doesn't pause their appeal clock. Importantly many don't know that losing at trial isn't necessarily the end: it positions you to initiate the appeals process, which can result in a binding win for you and every other New Yorker. The [NYC Housing Court Appeals — Pro Se Guide](https://courtnav.vercel.app/) is a free, mobile-first decision tool designed to expand the resources available to self-represented litigants. By asking tenants one question at a time (e.g., _Which borough? Did you receive a Notice of Entry? Is eviction imminent?_), it generates a personalized, printable action plan with the exact court addresses, deadlines, and procedural steps for their specific situation. No two users get the same checklist, but every user gets the precise information they need to successfully file an appeal. This grant will support Aidah in a legal review of the application to ensure the procedural guidance stays current as court rules change, as well as translations into additional languages to be able to support as many New Yorkers as possible. In addition, grantee Aidah Gil writes of her own journey in building this application: _"Beyond the tool itself, building this has been a deeply personal journey for me. Besides having my own housing court case, for a long time, I didn't think I was smart enough to code. That changed when I discovered the free [TechConnect program at the New York Public Library (NYPL)](https://www.nypl.org/techconnect?location=&type=&topic=&series=200787&date1=0&date2=0&date_op=&audience=0&page=1&items=282). Through their classes, I learned HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python. I gained the confidence to start learning other languages on my own, and quickly realized that not only could I code, but I absolutely loved it._ _As someone who loves to think deeply, explain complex ideas and communicate them, coding has given me the power to actually build the things I am trying to explain. It has completely changed how I create—and honestly, giving life to these ideas is probably going to do wonders for my social life, too. I love coding because I experience it as empathic communication and a psychological asset. It allows me to build things that protect people from getting overwhelmed by complexity, and myself from becoming exhausted by explanation. After all, why explain in paragraphs what I can demonstrate through production? I have to preserve my energy. From now on, everybody's getting a link as a response if they ask me a complex question; and I won't be trying to convince anyone with words anymore… they can argue with my prototype LOL._ **_"So, here's the conclusion and short version of this call to action: I really want to encourage anyone else who feels intimidated by tech or like they're constantly explaining themselves to give it a try. You are absolutely smart enough to code, the resources are out there waiting for you and coding will let people experience your brilliant solutions without getting bogged down by the complexity of how you got there (you can enjoy that complexity yourself on the backend! haha)._** Aidah Gil NYC Housing Court Appeals — Pro Se Guide https://courtnav.vercel.app/ United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/581760 2026-05-31T00:00:00Z 2026-06-01T23:49:10Z An exhibition of 50 images by Terry Olson, each of a different state he's visited, paired with a taste of the nationally celebrated LOCAL Wondermade marshmallows with a flavor from each state. Free and open to the public with performances by performers hailing from various parts of the USA! Nathan Clark & Terry Olson 50 States event for America 250. United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/551826 2026-05-31T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T00:39:03Z The Otay Mesa Detention (OMD) Collective was formed in solidarity with our neighbors to witness, protest, and advocate against the treatment of those held within the San Diego detention center, located in Otay Mesa. We are united in our opposition to unlawful and inhumane ICE operations that target individuals seeking safety and opportunity. During our weekly vigils, we invite supporting organizations to host as we break bread and raise funds. We gather to play music as loudly as possible so that those inside can hear us, hoping to provide a brief reprieve from the conditions of their imprisonment. We have continuously held weekly vigils for 26 weeks and plan to persist until the detention center is closed down. All funds raised are deposited into individual detainee accounts for external communication and commissary. These funds provide access to essential needs and basic human rights, such as: - Communication: Enabling detainees to alert family members of their location, share information, and reach legal aid. - Commissary: Allowing for the purchase of basic hygiene products not supplied by the detention center, such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins. Funds may also be used to purchase supplemental nutrition and clean drinking water to try meet basic health requirements. Our mission is to provide the resources necessary for survival and basic dignity to detainees, while bringing to light the human rights violations occurring in these overcrowded and inhumane conditions. To date, we have served over 500 individuals, with 248 receiving regular funds. The OMD Collective, a group of small, grassroots non-profit organizations, includes the SD Bike Brigade, Borderlands for Equity, Racial Justice Coalition of SD, Showing Up for Racial Justice, Ponte Your Moños, and Activate San Diego. Rita Alvarez Otay Mesa Detention Center Collective https://otaymesadetentioncollective.org/ United States Los Angeles, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/los-angeles tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/559862 2026-05-30T00:00:00Z 2026-06-03T00:05:16Z The HICOON project is a mission to bring the underwater world of Oahu to the surface in real-time. We are expanding our network of live-streaming underwater cameras at key dive sites (like Kewalo Pipe and the Electric Beach) to provide the community with 24/7 visibility into ocean conditions, surge, and marine life activity. While Lu’uLive already provides surface-level forecasts and drone views, these underwater "eyes" are a game-changer for ocean safety and conservation. By seeing real-time visibility and current before leaving home, divers can make safer decisions, reducing unnecessary travel and potential rescues. Furthermore, these cameras serve as a "Visual Archive," documenting coral reef health and providing a platform for local schools and researchers to observe Hawaii’s unique marine ecosystems without getting wet. It’s about making the ocean more accessible, safe, and transparent for everyone. Matthew Feeley Hawaii Community Optical Observation Network http://LuuLive.com United States Oahu, HI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/oahu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/538794 2026-05-28T00:00:00Z 2026-05-29T01:02:17Z Gloucester soft shell clam populations have been declining for well over a decade, and it is not largely due to pollution or overharvesting. It has to do with predation. Green crabs are an invasive species that have severely impacted clams and their environment by voraciously eating young clams and larvae. In 2025, I worked with the Gloucester Shellfish Dept on a project that passively collected clam larvae. With 65 boxes, we collected over 30,000 clams. This proves clams are reproducing but not surviving. Dr Brian Beal, a top clam researcher, states that removing only adult green crabs won’t by itself fix the problem. The smaller crabs are the greater threat, vacuuming larvae up at a tremendous rate. To date, there are no efforts to reduce smaller crabs. My project is to test several modified traps to see if I can collect these smaller crabs. There will be different modifications used to see what works best, and how many crabs I could possibly catch. The modifications involve creating readily-accessible small complex environments that the crabs will treat as a “crab hotel” using methods such as baffled small mesh, pine branches, and a 3d printed “hotel”. Any bycatch will be removed and the green crabs destroyed. I have two test sites in mind - Jim Durney and Jones River near Ram Island. Traps will be checked regularly and data will be recorded and shared with the public. Sarah Valencik Green Crab Microenvironment Trapping Project United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/529967 2026-05-28T00:00:00Z 2026-05-29T01:03:42Z I was recently in Maine for a schooner festival and saw that they had banners on the street poles to promote the event. Knowing that we have the same type of pole setup and banners I wanted to create the banners for the Gloucester Schooner Festival over Labor Day. It's something we could use year after year and build on by adding more banners over time. This project will help promote the efforts to celebrate the maritime event and draw attention to the events that educate the general public about the maritime heritage and culture of the schooners. Gloucester Schooner Festival is a non profit group and while Maritime Gloucester is the host, they are not part of this request. Melissa Cox Gloucester Schooner Festival street pole banners https://www.maritimegloucester.org/schooner-festival United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/525629 2026-05-28T00:00:00Z 2026-05-29T01:04:31Z 1. Our Mission Over the last 5 years the 100 Trees Project has been dedicated to restoring Gloucester’s urban canopy, one heat island at a time. Our mission is to mitigate climate change, improve air quality, and enhance the physical beauty of our city by planting and—crucially—maintaining native trees in high-need areas. 2. Proven Success in Gloucester We don’t just plant and walk away. To date, we have planted 75 trees in Gloucester alone and successfully transformed several pockets of the city. Last year’s grant from Awesome Gloucester and other funding sources was instrumental in: •. Planting 27 trees in 3 different locations. Burnham Playground, John Alto Park, Lincoln Park GHA housing. • Engaging community volunteers for planting days. • The Impact: We’ve seen a measurable increase in sidewalk shade and a renewed sense of neighborhood pride in our previously "gray" corridors. 3. The 2026 Awesome Focus: Washington Street This year, we have secured a grant from the ECCF for 35 new trees. We are focusing 25 of these along the sidewalk along Washington Street, directly across from Addison Gilbert Hospital. • The Challenge: This stretch of Washington Street is a documented "Heat Island" and as an Environmental Justice (EJ) community mapped by MAPC and DCR, this area disproportionately feels the heat every summer. • The Timeline: The trees are purchased! We will be in the ground on April 18th. 4. From Asphalt to Canopy: The Vision Using AI visualization (see attached 2026 and 2036 images) , we’ve mapped the transformation of Washington Street: • Spring 2026: A unrelenting stretch of asphalt-heavy area. • Spring 2046: A lush, green corridor that lowers ambient temperatures, protects pedestrians from the sun, and provides a "green lung" for hospital patients and neighbors. Prataap Patrose 100 Trees Project http://www.100TreesProject.Org United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/562885 2026-05-27T00:00:00Z 2026-05-28T22:08:57Z Rasputin II: Bring Back the Groove is a sequel to the hit PVD Fringe performances and subsequent fall run at The Wilbury Theatre Group, to sold out audiences. Grigori Rasputin never died, made his way to the US, and has transitioned from providing mystic powers of love to the Romanovs to being a self-love guru to poor repressed capitalistic Americans. Rasputin, LIVE! The first show was about how to unconditionally love yourself through Bolshevick-inspired Zumba, participation potatoes, Madonna lipsyncs, on-stage therapy sessions, and more. It brought audiences of ~100 together every night to dance during the show and in the dance party that ended the performance. A true fever dream we are very happy to support. kit grindeland RASPUTIN II: BRING BACK THE GROOVE! https://kitgrindeland.com/rasputin United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/546087 2026-05-27T00:00:00Z 2026-05-28T10:35:10Z «Վահե Մելիքսեթյան» հիմնադրամը 2025 թվականից Հայաստանի երրորդ խոշոր քաղաք Վանաձորում կազմակերպում է ամենամյա վազքի կիսամարաթոն: Մեր առաքելությունն է խթանել առողջ ապրելակերպը, համայնքային զարգացումը և մարզային տուրիզմը՝ միաժամանակ հավաքելով միջոցներ առողջապահական մասնագիտությամբ ուսանողական կրթաթոշակների, մասնագիտական վերապատրաստումների համար: 2025թ․ մեզ հաջողվեց ներգրավել 400 վազորդ Երևանից, Հայաստանի մյուս մարզերից և արտերկրից: Վազքը ներառում էր 4 վազքատարածություն՝ 1կմ (մանկական), 5կմ, 10կմ և 21,1 կմ (կիսամարաթոն): Միջոցառումը ունեցել է զգալի տնտեսական ակտիվություն Վանաձոր քաղաքում և մարզում՝ սպասարկման ոլորտի, ժամանցի և տեղական բիզնեսների համար։ Առաջարկում ենք այս տարի գործարկել Մանկական 1կմ Վազքուղի Awesome Foundation-ի գործընկերությամբ: 2026 թվականի օգոստոսին նախատեսվող վազքի համար նախատեսում ենք ունենալ հատուկ 1 կիլոմետր մանկական վազքուղի 5-12 տարեկան երեխաների համար: Սա կլինի միջոցառում, որի հովանավորը կլինի Awesome Foundation-ը և կդառնա վազքի օրվա ամենահուզիչ և ներշնչող պահերից մեկը: Ինչու՞ է մանկական վազքը կարևոր: Առողջ սերնդի ձևավորում - Երեխաներին վաղ տարիքից սովորեցնում ենք սիրել սպորտը և ակտիվ ապրելակերպը Ընտանեկան միջոցառում - Ծնողները գալիս են ողջ ընտանիքով, երեխաները վազում են, մեծերը՝ որպես հանդսիատես խրախուսում Վանաձորի երեխաների համար -Մարզերի շատ երեխաներ չունեն հնարավորություն մասնակցելու կազմակերպված սպորտային միջոցառումների: Սա կլինի անմոռանալի փորձառություն նրանց համար Ներառականություն - Յուրաքանչյուր երեխա՝ անկախ ֆիզիկական պատրաստվածությունից, կարող է հաջողությամբ մասնակցել վազքին և ստանալ մասնակցության մեդալ Ներշնչանք մեծ վազորդների համար - Վազքի մասնակիցների համար երեխաների ներկայությունը մոտիվացնող է Ինչ կներառի Awesome Foundation Մանկական Վազքուղին՝ Պաշտոնական 1կմ մանկական վազքուղի Վանաձորի կենտրոնում 200 երեխայի մասնակցություն Մեդալներ բոլոր ավարտողների համար Նվերներ հաղթող երեխաներին Նախատեսվում է նաև տոնակատարություն երաժշտությամբ և զվարճանքով Ընտանեկան լուսանկարչական գոտի Awesome Foundation լոգոյով Azatoohi Simonian Awesome Foundation Մանկական Վազքուղի-Վանաձորի վազք http://Meliksetyan.org Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/549111 2026-05-26T00:00:00Z 2026-05-27T16:00:30Z Blind Service Chicago is launching Core Compass, an adaptive Pilates program for people who are blind or have low vision. Created with Chicago small business Movement Med, the program brings people together through movement, wellness, and community connection while making fitness more accessible for Chicagoans often excluded from traditional fitness facilities and programs. Core strength is especially important for people with vision loss because movement often depends more on balance and body awareness than visual cues. A stronger core can improve posture, steadier walking, safer weight shifting, and quicker balance reactions. It can also reduce fatigue and help lower fall risk. When the body feels centered and supported, everyday travel becomes easier and more confident. Core Compass will offer weekly classes open to Chicago participants every Tuesday at Blind Service Chicago’s Bernstein Center in downtown Chicago. Sessions will be led by instructors holding Pilates Instructor (Mat and Apparatus) Certification and The Medical Exercise Training Institute’s Advanced Medical Exercise Trainer Certification. Equipment for classes has already been pledged through in-kind support, making the program ready to launch quickly once funding is secured. Accessible fitness options remain limited for many blind and low vision adults. Traditional gyms often rely on visual demonstration and can feel isolating or unsafe. Core Compass changes that through tactile cueing, descriptive instruction, individualized support, and small class sizes. Participants will strengthen their bodies, build confidence, and connect with peers in an inclusive setting. We expect to reach more than 100 blind and low vision Chicagoans through direct participation, rotating enrollment, and shared instructional resources sent throughout our community. Blind Service Chicago Core Compass http://blindservicechicago.org United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/558069 2026-05-25T00:00:00Z 2026-05-27T16:03:18Z Step into the steam and sizzle of HOTDOG HOTDOG, an all-senses, all-beef, audiovisual takeover that could only happen in Chicago. Smell the mustard. Hear the snap. Feel the bass rattle your buns. From the Loop to Logan Square, this is a night for anyone who knows there’s no ketchup in art. This is no ordinary show. It’s a fully-loaded 4D experience where you can see, taste, smell, and hear the humble Chicago-style hot dog in glorious, ridiculous excess. Digitally rendered dogs (created by slinging real glizzies at high-speed cinema cameras) collide with live performances by Chicago's best musicians and comedians. Each act remixes the visuals in real time, turning every bite and beat into a one-of-a-kind sensory feast. Arrive early for a dog-forward pre-show: eat real Chicago-style hot dogs (vegan, too!), shop artisan-made hot dog merch, and immerse yourself in the visuals. It’s part concert, part cookout, part hallucinogenic condiment dream. All our visuals are crafted by hand. We are proud to say no generative AI is used here! First, hot dog ingredients are flung around and filmed in slow motion using professional high-speed cinema cameras. After the videos are processed, we bring them into a custom VJ program we built in TouchDesigner. Finally, we add in visual distortions and audio reactivity to bring the dog to life! Visuals are played back and layered in real-time using a five-octave MIDI keyboard. We integrate live camera feeds and multiple sources of external media during a show to create a visual collage that honors the dog and includes the audience in the experience. We partner with local Chicago venues, businesses, musicians, artists, and performers. We perform at our own variety shows as well as at karaoke nights and open mics around the city. Joel Ruby HOTDOG HOTDOG: 4D Audiovisual Experience http://www.hotdoghotdog.live United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/551266 2026-05-21T00:00:00Z 2026-05-22T20:12:51Z Ryandale Transitional Housing is launching a small but powerful idea: a resident-led micro-loan fund to help people turn skills into income. Many of the individuals we support already have talents they’re eager to build on. At our women’s house, residents are creating handmade jewelry and hoping to sell at local craft markets, but the upfront cost of table fees is a barrier. At our men’s houses, residents are doing small repairs, woodworking, and furniture restoration, but lack the funds for basic supplies, tools, or even simple promotion like business cards. This project will provide small, flexible micro-loans (typically $50–$100) to help residents take that first step. Whether it’s paying for a market table, purchasing materials, or printing flyers, these funds remove immediate barriers and create real opportunities to earn income, build confidence, and develop entrepreneurial skills. What makes this initiative unique is that it is grounded in trust and dignity. Residents will be supported to set simple goals, manage their funds, and when possible, repay into the fund so it can support others. It’s not just financial assistance; it’s a stepping stone toward independence and self-worth. With support from Awesome Kingston, we can pilot this fund and quickly put resources directly into the hands of residents who are ready to act. A small investment can lead to someone making their first sale, gaining their first customer, or seeing their skills valued by the community. This is about more than micro-business—it’s about creating momentum. Patti Ridlon Hands to Hustle: Fueling Small Businesses from Wit http://www.ryandale.ca Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/561762 2026-05-21T00:00:00Z 2026-05-24T18:27:08Z Float Fest is an annual celebration of the outdoor space and wonderful community we have here in Goshen, Indiana. In actual form and function, it is a moving, outdoor music festival, slowly floating through Goshen's Millrace district each summer. In broader scope, it is a community event that brings together outdoor enthusiasts, music enthusiasts, community members' homes, people from outside the community (through bands and attendees), business owners and the general community, young and old! Additionally, Float Fest has expanded to not only a one day event, but an entire week of celebrations focused on the Goshen Millrace and elkhart river. This year we will have 2 bonus concerts at Goshen Brewing Company, Float Fest-themed Music Bingo, a Group paddle of "The Loop" on the Elkhart River, and other events during the week leading up to the festival. Float Fest is the best of what Goshen has to offer, showcasing what can happen when a community comes together around a goal, with community members and local businesses donating food, drink, sound equipment, and their time to create a day of celebrating and community bonding. The actual festival has over 20 musical acts, with people playing by boat and in the park, on bridges and in backyards. We have visual artists displaying and creating work for the fest as well, including a couple South Bend Artists! Each band plays in a different backyard, and the festival moves down the canal, from yard to yard, before landing in Millrace park, where there is an additional stage, and food and drink. Float fest is a journey and is a different experience for everyone involved! Scott Lehman Float Fest Goshen 2026 http://linktr.ee/floatfestgoshen United States South Bend, IN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/southbend tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/550498 2026-05-21T00:00:00Z 2026-05-24T18:28:42Z Opera Uncorked is producing an opera scenes program this October. Our past shows have all been open-mic format, where singers sign up two weeks beforehand with music fitting a theme for the month. We want to take a step forward and produce a rehearsed show, full of some of the most famous scenes and duets in opera. Our goal is to perform at Ironhand Wine Bar similar to how other bands perform there. We'll charge a cover at the door, then perform a series of sets covering most of the evening. A hallmark of our shows is giving our audiences important context for the music we're performing, allowing them to understand the drama as well as appreciate the music. We would continue this in our scenes program, as the set-list structure provides many opportunities for chatting with the people in the crowd. Ben Ganger Opera Uncorked Scenes Program United States South Bend, IN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/southbend tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/544207 2026-05-21T00:00:00Z 2026-05-24T18:29:57Z We are overhauling our former Summer Solstice event into the first ever Portage Pickle Fest! We are city full of foodies, and this has the potential to turn into a larger festival like Picklesburg. This first year, we are planning on a paneled blind taste test of different local restaurants' pickles, followed by a sampling for the public. We're hiring a "pickle slinger" to sell individual pickles with flair (keeping it PG). We're also trying to incorporate a pickleball element where folks can learn about the sport and sign up for leagues. Pickle themed merchandise will be available from our artisan partners in The Portage Collective. We are recruiting for a drink and food vendor as well. We hope to host Unity Gardens to educate about pickling and fermentation classes. The other shops on the block will be invited to pickle theme as much as they like. Annie Johnson Portage Pickle Fest http://www.theportagecollective.com United States South Bend, IN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/southbend tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/538213 2026-05-20T00:00:00Z 2026-05-21T02:02:45Z Campaign Ready: Youth Political Leadership Lab is a non-partisan civic education program designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to engage meaningfully in their communities and local democratic processes. Through a series of interactive workshops led by experienced public leaders, campaign professionals, and community organizers, participants will learn about municipal and provincial government, community organizing, communications, and civic leadership. In partnership with the Alkebulan Heritage Center, workshop sessions will also be livestreamed to students in Ghana, creating an international civic education exchange and exposing participants to global perspectives on leadership, governance, and community development. The program will culminate in a hands-on campaign strategy workshop where participants will design and present a campaign plan, applying the leadership and engagement skills developed throughout the program. By connecting youth with experienced leaders and providing practical learning opportunities ahead of the October 2026 municipal election, the initiative aims to inspire greater youth participation in democratic processes and strengthen community leadership among the next generation. The project fosters civic engagement by equipping youth with practical knowledge and skills that help them understand how local government works and how they can participate in shaping decisions that affect their communities. The project addresses the social issue of low youth participation in civic and democratic processes. Many young people feel disconnected from government or lack access to opportunities that help them understand how to get involved. By providing accessible civic education and hands-on learning, the program helps remove barriers that prevent youth from engaging in public life, while building confidence, leadership, and long-term civic participation. Nadia Hansen Campaign Ready: Youth Political Leadership Lab Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/534336 2026-05-20T00:00:00Z 2026-06-01T03:31:48Z Every 2 years, our members at Wangi Quilters hold their Quilt Show , held over 3 days and attracting between 500-600 visitors. This in turn supports the local businesses and clubs who benefit from the influx of visitors. Our members displayed over 90 pieces at our last show, not just quilts, but other handmade items as well. Through the selling of raffle tickets to 2 beautiful quilts our club members have made, we are able to raise funds for local charities. These charities can be quite diverse, ranging from sponsoring the Wangi Fireworks, to supporting a local rowing club, to buying vital medical equipment to the John Hunter Hospital Kids Ward. Last quilt show saw us raise money for Southlakes Incorporated and Wyee Food Hub. Our members are passionate about supporting as many local charities as possible. I’d also like to thank Awesome Lake Mac on behalf of Wangi Quilters and the many charities we support. Wangi Quilters Wangi Quilters Biennial Quilt Show Australia Lake Mac https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/lakemac tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/556613 2026-05-19T00:00:00Z 2026-05-20T03:21:41Z The Artist Survival School is a sliding-scale community workshop and resource project designed to help emerging artists — especially Black, trans, queer, disabled, and working class artists — learn practical tools for sustaining their creative practice. As an artist and community organizer, I’ve spent over 20 years learning how to navigate grants, residencies, fellowships, artist statements, project budgets, and creative opportunities, often through trial and error and community knowledge-sharing rather than formal institutional access. This project is about redistributing that knowledge in an accessible, welcoming, and grounded way. The project will include: a hybrid in-person/virtual workshop in Portland & the broader accessibility a collaboratively created mini-zine/resource guide participants can take home and share with others Topics will include: finding grants and residencies writing artist statements and bios creating project budgets documenting work sustaining creative practice while surviving capitalism building community-centered artistic careers The workshop will prioritize conversation, transparency, and collective learning rather than gatekeeping or competition. Participants will also have space to ask questions, workshop ideas, and share resources with one another. The zine will include practical tools, prompts, funding resources, application tips, and reflections gathered during the workshops. Copies will be distributed to participants and shared digitally online. Portland has an incredible creative community, but many artists — especially marginalized artists — are locked out of information that could help sustain their work. The Artist Survival School is about making that knowledge more accessible, communal, and less intimidating. Michael David Battle The Artist Survival School http://www.gardenofpeaceproject.org United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/548309 2026-05-19T00:00:00Z 2026-05-21T17:23:07Z Imagine a summer where girls ages 6 to 15 do not just attend a program, they belong to something. Our three-week Girls Inc. summer experience is built to empower girls to think boldly, build confidence, and find their sisterhood. Each week has its own purposeful theme that stands on its own while also building toward something bigger. Week one, Empower, focuses on team-building activities that forge real bonds and teach the power of connection. Week two, Explore, sparks curiosity through STEM with visits to the science museum, hands-on archaeology, and gardening. Week three, Dream, turns confidence outward with goal setting, assertiveness practice, and showcasing talents through art and storytelling. Girls are welcome to join for one week, two weeks, or all three. Each week is its own complete experience while also being part of a larger journey of growth. Your $1,000 grant would fund 3.5 scholarships at $300 per week, ensuring financial barriers never stand between a girl and an experience that could change her life. When we invest in girls, we invest in our entire community. Nohemy Johnson Girls Inc Summer Programming https://jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/youth-empowerment-services/gisa/ United States Newburyport, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburyport tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/551009 2026-05-18T00:00:00Z 2026-06-10T21:31:10Z We are taking a direct, neighborhood-level approach to the community cat crisis in the City of Poughkeepsie. The city’s current free-roaming cat overpopulation can feel overwhelming for residents. We’re here to break that cycle by focusing our efforts exactly where they are needed most. Our project works in two ways: 1. Focused TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return): At the heart of all we do is our Focused TNR program. We believe every community cat deserves a stable, healthy life, and every neighborhood deserves a peaceful environment. We work side-by-side with City residents in "hot spots," humanely trapping, sterilizing, and returning cats to their outdoor homes; providing immediate stabilization to local colonies. 2. The Pet Parent Bridge: Our work doesn't stop at peoples’ doorstep. While we’re out fixing community cats, we meet neighbors whose own pets go in and out, unintentionally adding to the local overpopulation. We created this "Bridge" to close that loop. If a neighbor wants to fix their pet but can’t afford the cost or doesn't have a ride, we provide the fully funded voucher for spay/neuter and rabies vaccine, and transport. It’s our way of supporting the people who care for our city’s cats, whether they live on a porch or a sofa. The $1,000 Impact: We don't have a "startup" cost; we have a "surgery" cost. We can fix one cat for $50. That means an Awesome Grant doesn't go toward posters or payroll—it goes to 20 surgeries. That is 20 lives improved and thousands of future homeless kittens prevented in our city alleys and backyards. This awesome project replaces a "loud" problem with a compassionate solution. Overpopulation causes real friction between neighbors and real suffering for animals. By removing the financial barrier for city residents and managing outdoor colonies, we’re making Poughkeepsie a more harmonious place to live. We aren't just "fixing cats"—we are showing up for our neighbors and building a more humane city, one surgery at a time. Ann LaGoy The Poughkeepsie Community Cat Initiative http://www.pant.org United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/531666 2026-05-17T00:00:00Z 2026-05-18T12:50:55Z The SPCA Community Animal Kinship Art Garden is a joyful, community powered public art project transforming a vacant lot in Detroit’s Southfield Plymouth neighborhood into a vibrant outdoor gallery celebrating the animals that share our urban ecosystem. Led by the Southfield Plymouth Community Association in partnership with Weaver Community Arts Inc. and Weaver Fine Art Creatives LLC, the project brings neighbors together to create colorful, animal themed sculptures, murals, and storytelling installations that spark imagination, compassion, and pride. The garden is designed as a welcoming creative space where youth, families, and longtime residents collaborate to beautify their neighborhood while learning about humane education and local wildlife. Through hands on workshops, young artists help design and build the artworks, gaining leadership experience, artistic skills, and a sense of ownership in shaping their community. What makes this project awesome is its simplicity and its heart: a once empty lot becomes a place of color, creativity, and connection. Children see their artwork displayed publicly. Neighbors gather, talk, and co create. Visitors encounter playful depictions of deer, birds, cats, and other animals that reflect the life of the community itself. The Awesome Foundation grant will help us expand the next phase of the garden with new youth created installations, weatherproof signage, and materials for community art days. This small investment creates a big, visible impact — turning an overlooked space into a living symbol of neighborhood pride, creativity, and kinship with the animals who share our world. Lester Jordan SPCA Community Animal Kinship Art Garden http://ljordani.weebly.com United States Detroit, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/detroit tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/535724 2026-05-17T00:00:00Z 2026-05-17T23:53:10Z Raptors in distress found by the general public are initially brought to Native Animal Rescue for immediate care and stabilization. Once stabilized they are transferred to Blue Apple Farms for long term rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild. Our organization allows members of the general public to view raptors in an intimate setting which they aren’t able to achieve in nature. During their visit, guests are educated about the rehabilitation process, while engaging in hands-on educational activities which helps to foster a greater appreciation and encourages conservation efforts. All ages and demographics are welcome to book a visit to our facility. We host tours for individuals as well as retiree groups, women’s groups, scout troops, school groups, birding groups and members of the autistic community. We have also recently introduced “Bird Day” private events, which offer a unique, educational celebration experience. We strive to have something for everyone who is interested in learning more about our local raptors and our shared habitat. We are committed to growing these programs in a sustainable way that expands both our rehabilitation capacity and our educational reach within the community. Our website is being constructed and nearing completion. However, you can visit us on Instagram @blueapplefarms Blue Apple Farms Rally for the Raptors United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/547242 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z 2026-05-19T01:52:14Z 'Neurospicy: The Musical' - because chaos deserves a soundtrack! Step inside the wonderfully chaotic brain of a late-diagnosed AuDHDer Georgy Rochow as she dives headfirst into the sticky challenges of navigating adulthood with big feelings and the absurdity of simply trying to keep it all together. Blending comedy, music, and raw honesty, Georgy’s performances strike a rare balance between heartfelt and hilarious - always unafraid to lean into the messy, joyful, and unhinged. Packed with sharp-witted, original musical comedy and backed by a powerhouse live band, this show walks the line between tears of joy and just plain tears. What to expect? A whirlwind of laughter, big feelings, and unapologetic access to the queer, neurodivergent inner world that rarely takes centre stage. This piece of original work was largely written on Georgy’s commute to work. Living regionally (south) and working metro (north), Georgy travels roughly 20 hours a week to support young musicians build skills and confidence at Northern Sound System. Luckily, she loves her job and is passionate about empowering emerging creatives to take to the stage, dabble in self expression, and value the stories they have to share through out. Georgy took the lemons (traffic on south road) and turned it into a fringe show, debuting at Adelaide Fringe, 2026. She has fallen in love with this project and is excited to see it grow and evolve. This piece of work is more than just a laugh (although they are encouraged), it’s an opportunity to open up the dialogue on what it’s really like living as a queer, AuDHDer navigating adulthood and a world that can be unforgiving. Excited to develop the work further, the show has been invited into the Pride Fest 2026 Sydney program, a valuable professional development opportunity. Awesome Foundation Adelaide funded her to develop educational resources associated with the show to spread awareness, decrease loneliness and show stigma the door. Using humour, story telling and music as vessels for change, Georgy passionate about sharing insight into what it's really like navigating adult life and a creative career with hidden disabilities. Georgy Rochow Neurospicy: The Musical https://sites.google.com/view/neurospicygeorge/home Australia Adelaide https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/adelaide tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/530508 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z 2026-05-22T17:24:12Z We want to create one, potentially two, pieces of public art to draw in and delight the community. The Art Bar was established in 2017. Pre-covid, they hosted frequent events open to the public. Post-covid, they switched to private events. Although that has worked fine up until now, we want to start having public events again. Since taking over the space in October, Creative Traveler FM has wanted to highlight this underrated space. I teach painting events where I introduce all ages and abilities to the gift of creating. After graduating from MSUM with a minor in Art Therapy, I have also wanted to add some elements of therapeutic art to what I do in this space. The inside was once covered in a chaotic hodgepodge of handprints. We repainted the inside to reflect a cheerful but calmer environment for creating art. The outside of the building is currently also covered in handprints, but rather than feeling artsy, it feels messy. We have a plan to make the outside an attractive piece of public art, drawing attention to who we are and what we offer the community. Laura Ronngren The Art Bar Improvement Project United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/428675 2026-05-14T00:00:00Z 2026-06-01T15:26:57Z AI For Beginners is AwesomeStPaul’s May 2026 grantee. Congratulations! We are very interested in learning how AI strategies can improve lives. LaTasha Reed explains her project: “I’m applying for an AwesomeStPaul $1,000 grant to launch a free, public AI workshop series in St. Paul focused on practical AI literacy, responsible use, and real-world applications for everyday residents, job seekers, and small business owners. AI is everywhere, but many people are encountering it through hype, fear, or misinformation—not clear, trustworthy education. My goal is to give St. Paul participants a grounded, easy-to-understand introduction to what AI is, why it’s trending, who is using it (and why), and what to watch for—bias, privacy risks, misinformation, and legal/regulatory compliance. I’ll also cover the “so what”: how AI can responsibly support resumes, study help, budgeting, customer service, content creation, and productivity—without replacing good judgment. The series will include 2–4 sessions, each 1–2 hours, hosted in St. Paul at a community-accessible space such as a library or community center partner site. Sessions will be interactive, beginner-friendly, and open to the public, with a short take-home resource guide so attendees leave with something useful and actionable. This $1,000 grant will make the series possible. Funds will cover workshop essentials such as printed materials/resource guides, basic AV or room costs if needed, accessibility support (live captions/interpretation when possible), and light refreshments to encourage attendance. I’ll also promote the workshops through neighborhood groups and partner networks so St. Paul residents know the opportunity exists. Timeline: within 30–60 days of award, I will finalize the venue/partners, publish dates, and deliver the first workshop, followed by the remaining sessions over the next month. AwesomeStPaul’s support will help St. Paul residents gain confident, informed access to AI—so it becomes something they can understand and use safely, not something happening to them.” LaTasha Reed AI for Beginners United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/519519 2026-05-13T00:00:00Z 2026-05-15T14:50:14Z Our awesome project will bring our community together in new ways. The whole town will be included in a spring related scavenger hunt. Stations with people attending them will be set up around town providing hints and small gifts such as flowers, gift cards, spring related sweets, and more. You start at the town green, the grass near the visitor center, and work your way around town, collecting small gifts and participating in activities. At the beginning you will be given a basket or a bag. As you make your way to each station you will need to complete a small task like painting a rock, planting a flower, picking up trash, singing a song, or playing a short game. Then you will be given a hint and a little goodie. There will be a total of around 10 stands. If you finish the hunt, you will receive a free small flower pot to take home at the last station. We will reach out to small local stores and ask if they would like to have a station in their establishment or provide treats and prizes.The whole idea of this is to bring together people of all ages to create a fun, immersive activity that builds community and celebrates spring. Amelia Martinez Town-Wide Scavenger Hunt United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/515900 2026-05-13T00:00:00Z 2026-05-15T14:51:10Z I want to help my friends get certified in babysitting. This would help families who need babysitters and help teenagers feel more prepared when taking care of kids. It also gives teenagers an opportunity to make money. I already took the Red Cross Babysitting Course. It was very good and I feel more confident when babysitting. But I had to travel to Woburn to attend the class. That's why I think it would be AWESOME to offer the course in Ipswich so more people could get certified! Amelia Linehan Babysitting Course in Ipswich United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/549809 2026-05-13T00:00:00Z 2026-05-18T13:17:36Z Hi, I wanted to put together a BBQ in the park for the community set for mid-late May 2026. I already began this project and someone on Reddit told me about this resource, suggesting to use it for this. I already have a number of activities lined up such as outdoor sports, educational workshop to engines (for kids), BBQ and dietary accoms, music, performances. Turnout size is growing each day and I would love to coordinate this bigger but I can't afford it past a certain point. I conceived of a family-and-friends-safe event that everyone could come to and just befriend people they haven't ever talked to or met. Build community and fun memories from that. I believe it builds safety, trust, and hope. So after doing that several times in other states, I kinda just wanted to do that right next to my home community. Bree Taylor BBQ In The Park https://www.reddit.com/r/ypsi/comments/1sygeyo/comment/oiyj4l5/ United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/544418 2026-05-13T00:00:00Z 2026-05-18T13:18:19Z Our awesome project is our Second Annual Nostalgia Pride Cookout. Our Nostalgia Pride Cookout gives us an opportunity to commune with the Black queer community in honest during the very special month of pride. It is a time for our board members and community members to rest, enjoy, and be in community. There have been many attacks on the Trans, LGBTQ, and Black communities as of late such as bans on trans* folks fundamental documents such as licenses , the attacks and targeting from ICE, and police brutality just to name a few.It is of upmost importance to continue cultivating spaces where we can be free, express ourselves, and commune together even if it is just for one day. Although we do host multiple events throughout the year, the Nostalgia Pride Cookout is our biggest event to date. Last year, we hosted at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor and we had over 70 attendees and over 100 RSVPs. At the Nostalgia Pride Cookout, we offer free food, entertainment, games, and community. We understand the impact that joy can have on the spirit and community. This year our Nostalgia Pride Cookout is on June 27 at the Growing Hope Farm Stand in Ypsilanti. We are super excited to be putting on our event in Ypsilanti and welcoming everyone into our space. Laila Kitchen Second Annual Nostalgia Pride Cookout http://www.blackprideypsi.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/553115 2026-05-12T00:00:00Z 2026-05-12T22:49:07Z String Explorations is a music performance and music education project led by Chris Coyle. Education-wise, Chris and his collaborators seek to inspire young music students (primarily violin/cello/guitar/bass students ranging from college to middle school levels) and encourage them to develop practice approaches and skills found outside of the traditional "orchestra" and classical experience. Through demonstrations, conversations, and shareable resources made available to students, we model jazz learning and diverse styles (folk, fiddle, Latin, funk, and much more) for strings and help students take steps towards improvisation and self-guided creativity. The goal is not to convert students to jazz learning exclusively, but to help them see the connections and possibilities that diverse study offers. We want students to feel like they can create their own musical path. We have offered this content and experience in formal settings, including at the Jazz Education Network's national conference in 2025 and at college music programs such as Temple University and Ursinus College. Our work can be most impactful at smaller schools and organizations that often lack a budget for guest artists or specialized programming. We want to reach students even when program budgeting proves difficult, and this is where Awesome Fund can help. We are seeking modest stipend funds to cover teaching work done by our team at local/regional schools or organizations. This compensation is equivalent to just a fraction of what we are (sometimes) paid by private schools and colleges, but it makes it possible for us to prioritize the time and effort. Again, working in these settings can be even more impactful than serving students at well-resourced schools and organizations. While this is surely a niche project, we have a ready-to-roll plan in place to engage young students with our work. Documenting this proposed work can lead to more opportunities for project support. Chris Coyle String Explorations Education Outreach http://chriscoylemusic.com United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/philadelphia