New, local chapter of international Awesome Foundation to award quarterly grants to local individuals with great ideas. Awesome Bend, a local chapter of the Awesome Foundation, is hosting a kickoff event February 18 from 6–8 p.m. at Bad Wolf Bakery at 1133 NW Wall Street, Suite #100.
Bad Wolf will sell drinks and food at the event, which is expected to draw up to 50 people from across Central Oregon who are interested in being part of a micro-grant program that supports local projects.
Along with generating excitement about Awesome Bend, the goal of the kickoff event is to attract 10 “trustees” who will each donate $100 per quarter and award the collective $1,000 to a local grantee.
“We are so excited to get things started,” said Pam Stevenson, who co-founded Awesome Bend with fellow Bend resident LeeAnn Kriegh. “We believe Bend is brimming with leaders, dreamers, artists, inventors, movers and shakers with do-good ideas that can make Bend an even better place to live, work and play. And we know there are people here who are willing to donate a little money and mentorship to help turn those ideas into reality.”
What Is Awesome Bend?
Awesome Bend is a local chapter of the Awesome Foundation, which has more than 100 chapters worldwide that have given away over $1 million. Every quarter, each of 10 trustees will donate $100 and help select the best local project to receive the combined $1,000. Applications take less than 15 minutes, and the money will be awarded at “Pitch Nights” throughout the year.
The guidelines for grant selection include:
1. The project must be feasible and completed within three months of the award.
2. The money cannot be used for personal expenses or operating expenses for an established charity.
3. Grantees agree to return to the next Pitch Night and tell the community about their project, inspiring others.
The group plans to award their first grant in April. Initial grant applications are due April 1.
For more information about the kickoff event, to apply for a grant or to apply to become a trustee, please visit www.awesomebend.org or email awesomebend@gmail.com.
Awesome Bend is a local charitable group that awards quarterly micro-grants to support entrepreneurial projects that make Bend a better place to live. Co-founded by Bend residents Pam Stevenson and LeeAnn Kriegh, the group is a chapter of the Awesome Foundation, which has more than 100 chapters worldwide that have donated over $1 million to worthy projects.
