(Photo above: winner Heather Kennedy | courtesy of Awesome Bend)
Heather Kennedy was the winner of the July19 Awesome Bend Pitch Night at Deschutes Brewery with her proposal to distribute skateboards, helmets, pads and gear to under-supported youth in Central Oregon. In addition to the $1,000 grant, Kennedy won the audience award which totaled $202.
“Skateboarding is an activity that can build bridges in this community between people of different cultures and socio-economic status. It’s a benefit to the whole community when our youth have a healthy positive way to spend their time,” said Kennedy. “We currently have two skate parks with another one on the way. Every child should have the opportunity to take advantage of these parks.”
In exchange for a skateboard, Central Oregon SK8 Share will require a one-page essay from the youth recipients that tells a little bit about them and how they feel having a skateboard will enhance their lives.
Awesome Bend is now accepting applications for proposals that will make Bend an even better place to live, work or play for its next quarterly grant at www.awesomebend.org. The application deadline is October 1, 2016. Finalists will be notified and invited to present three-minute pitches at the next Awesome Bend Pitch Night which will be held October 18, 6-8:30pm at the Deschutes Brewery Tap Room, 1044 NW Bond Street in downtown Bend. The event is free and open to the public.
What Is Awesome Bend?
Awesome Bend’s mission is to inspire and support ideas that make Bend an even better place to live, work and play.
The guidelines for grant selection include:
The project must be feasible and completed with $1000 within three months of the award.
The money cannot be used for personal expenses or general operating expenses for an established charity.
Grantees agree to return to the next Pitch Night and tell the community about their project, thus inspiring future awesomeness.
For more information about the Pitch Night, to apply for a grant or to apply to become a trustee, please visit www.awesomebend.org or email awesomebend@gmail.com.
