Awesome Foundation Grants: $1,000 for Awesome Projects

The Awesome Foundation is a global community that gives $1,000 micro-grants to "awesome" projects. Since 2009, volunteer chapters around the world have funded people and groups working on ideas in the arts, technology, community and beyond. Each grant is $1,000, or the local equivalent, given with no strings attached, and chapters usually award one every month. There is no fixed deadline: you can apply at any time.

The money comes from the pockets of each chapter's "trustees", who pool their own funds and choose a project together.

How It Works

Each chapter is fully independent. A group of trustees in a city, or around a theme, contributes money each month and picks a project to fund. You apply online, choosing the chapter that best fits your project, usually the one where you live. If your idea is selected, you receive the grant directly, without reporting requirements or conditions on how you spend it.

What Counts as "Awesome"?

Each chapter decides for itself. Funded projects range widely, and many are novel or experimental, evoking surprise and delight. "Awesome sometimes challenges and often inspires", in the foundation's own description. For creative people, that might mean:

• A public art piece or mural in your neighbourhood
• A pop-up exhibition, zine or small publication
• A community workshop, festival or event
• A playful installation, game or piece of technology
• A craft project that brings people together

Who Can Apply to the Awesome Foundation?

Anyone with an awesome idea, individually or as a group. Chapters exist in many cities and countries. Check the chapter pages on the foundation's website to see which ones are active near you and what they have funded before.

Why It Is Different

Most grants ask for long proposals, budgets and reports. The Awesome Foundation keeps it simple: a small but meaningful sum, decided by a local group of people, with no strings attached. It suits small, specific projects that can make a visible difference with $1,000, and first-time applicants who have never had a grant before.

Tips for Applying

Explain your idea in plain language and show why it is surprising, joyful or useful. Say clearly what the $1,000 would pay for and what will happen as a result. Look at past grants from your chapter to understand its taste. Keep your project small enough that $1,000 makes it happen.

Media Coverage

The foundation has been covered by The New York Times, the BBC, CBC and The Boston Globe, among others, since it began in 2009.

Start a Chapter

If there is no chapter near you, the foundation explains how to start one. A chapter is a group of volunteers who each give a small amount each month and fund local projects together.

Ideas That Fit a Small Budget

Think about what $1,000 can change. It could pay for paint and permits for a small mural, print a run of zines, buy materials for a community workshop, rent a space for a one-night show, or build a prototype for an interactive installation. Projects that involve or delight other people, and that have a clear start and finish, tend to suit the spirit of the grant. Photos or sketches of your idea can help the trustees picture it.

Things to Consider

• $1,000, no strings attached.
• Apply to one chapter, usually your local one.
• Monthly decisions at most chapters.
• No feedback from the global office on applications.

Apply for a Grant

Have an awesome idea?

Apply to the Awesome Foundation

Chapters, past grants and the application are on the Awesome Foundation website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: November 4, 2026