Awesome Foundation Grants

⚡ Quick Facts

• Type: No-strings-attached microgrant ($1,000)

• Eligibility: Open worldwide

• Process: Monthly grants

• Apply: Submit a grant application

• Contact:

  • Chapter-specific: Emails available on chapter pages
  • General inquiries: contact@awesomefoundation.org

• Impact: $7,078,000 granted across 7,078 projects

🎯 Mission

The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe, $1,000 at a time. Each fully autonomous chapter supports awesome projects through micro-grants, usually given out monthly.

💰 What The Awesome Foundation Funds

• Bold, innovative ideas that spark joy or wonder
• Projects that make communities more vibrant
• Creative initiatives in arts, technology, or social good
• Experimental and novel concepts
• Both small experiments and scalable projects
• Ideas that need quick funding to seize opportunities

Note: Each chapter interprets "awesome" differently, but all chapters seek projects that surprise, delight, and create positive impact.

📝 Application Guide

Before Applying

• Review the relevant local chapter on the chapter pages
• Review past funded projects
• Consider how $1,000 can make an idea come to life

Key Application Questions & Prompts

1. Project Overview

• What makes the idea awesome?
• How will it be implemented?
• What impact will it create?
• Visual materials are encouraged when helpful
• Applications should be concise but compelling

2. Funding Request

• Basic budget breakdown
• Timeline for completion
• Community benefit
• Immediate needs and uses for $1,000

3. Project Details

• Realistic implementation plan
• Resource needs beyond funding
• Expected outcomes
• Team members (if applicable)

Application Process

1. Submit through local chapter
2. Monthly trustee review (~10 trustees per chapter)
3. Quick funding decisions (typically within the month)
4. Immediate project start
5. Share results

Tips for Success

• Present clear and specific details
• Demonstrate project uniqueness
• Show feasibility
• Express genuine enthusiasm
• Focus on immediate impact

✨ Post-Award Information

• No strings attached funding
• Payment via cash, check, or gold doubloons
• Complete project ownership
• Flexible implementation
• Local chapter support
• Optional project documentation
• No reporting requirements

📚 History & Structure

Founded in Boston during summer 2009, the Awesome Foundation has grown into a worldwide community spanning multiple continents. What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a revolutionary approach to grassroots philanthropy. Each autonomous chapter pools funds from self-organizing "micro-trustees" who contribute personally to support local awesome initiatives.

The Foundation's structure intentionally maintains minimal bureaucracy, allowing for maximum impact and flexibility. This innovative model has proven so successful that it has inspired similar initiatives worldwide.

🌟 What Makes a Project "Awesome?"

Each chapter defines "awesome" according to its own criteria. Projects include initiatives in a wide range of areas including arts, technology, community development, and more. Many awesome projects are novel or experimental, and evoke surprise and delight. Awesome sometimes challenges and often inspires. Examples can be found on the chapter pages of the website and in this project directory.

📚 Additional Resources

Press Coverage

Notable features in:

• The New York Times
• BBC
• CBC
• WGBH
• Chronicle of Philanthropy
• The Boston Globe

Get Involved

• Start a Chapter: Learn how to start a chapter
• Apply for Grant: Submit application
• Twitter @awesomefound
• Past Project Directory
• Find Local Chapter: Chapter directory
• General Contact: contact@awesomefoundation.org