The Awesome Foundation
The Awesome FoundationThe Sarnia chapter of the Awesome Foundation was started in 2013. The idea was simple: the trustees come together once a month to hand out a $1000 grant to someone with an awesome idea.
The first Awesome Foundation chapter was founded in Boston in 2009. John DeGroot learned about the movement the following year at a Canadian Association of Family Enterprise meeting in London and brought the idea to Sarnia. "They brought in a guest speaker one month who was instrumental in starting the Toronto Awesome Foundation Chapter. About a year after this meeting I approached a few people. The people that I approached weren’t that interested at the time. I let it sit for a few more months and then one day I sent out three or four more emails. I told them to check out the Awesome Foundation website, www.awesomefoundation.org." Unlike the first time, several people expressed interest immediately. Alison Mahon was especially keen to help start the group. "Alison was instrumental. She is well connected and knows a lot of people. Within a month we had our twelve trustees. Together we championed this idea and got it off the ground."
The process for applying for the funds couldn’t be easier, DeGroot explains. "Applicants fill out an online form. It is very simple: you include your name and what will they use the money for. Then the applications are reviewed. At the monthly pitch party, three applicants are invited to pitch their ideas, and the trustees vote on which applicant will receive the funds. The winner takes the money home that night." He also emphasizes that while they are willing to fund just about anything, they place a strong emphasis on projects that build community. They are also looking for projects that aren’t eligible for traditional funding.
The first pitch party took place on June 6, 2013. Vicki Garland applied for funding for a Parking Lot Dance Party to help celebrate five years of the Parents Standing Together Tenants Association in her neighbourhood. The money was used to purchase food and games and prizes for the dance and hula hoop contests. Since then, the Awesome Foundation has funded dozens of local projects. A particularly popular event was the Souper Day, put on by the One Tomato Project in the summer of 2013. The group served tomato soup made with ingredients grown in One Tomato communal gardens. Other events that have received funds include: Diner en Blanc, Joy-full Socks, Ignite Sarnia, Music for the Soul, Global Citizenship Summit, Lambton College Aboriginal Students’ Council, Sarnia Christian School Outdoor Community Ice Rink, Sarnia Goldenhawk Restoration, Southwest International Film Festival, and the Lansdowne School Tree Stump Carving.
"The hardest part is turning down the other two pitches each month. The applicants know this is coming, but it’s still hard. A lot of them with learn from the process and will apply again." The funds are routed through the Sarnia Community Foundation and they write the cheque for the winning pitch.
Related Stories
Race to Erase
If you ask Race to Erase co-founders Rich Bouchard and Scott McKay what the event is all about, they will sum it up in one word: fun. The Race to Erase is a road rally event in which teams of four visit businesses and not-for-profit locations to compete in timed challenges. The team with the fastest
Water Bug Health Food Store
Admittedly, running a health food store was not Natalie Holmes' original plan, but there is no denying it has become her passion. Natalie's mother, Inge Englehart, and her partner Eldon Tomlinson were interested in opening a business, and in 1992 The Water Bug Health Food Store came to be. Sadly,
Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton
The Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton was established in 1986 by a group of local volunteers. The first meeting was held in Petrolia at Twilight Haven Home for the Aged which is now known as Lambton Meadowview Villa. Dorothea Rivett was a driving force for the Society. If it wasn't for her an
Alfie's European Deli
With a few taps on top of the bun, you knew that your sandwich was complete. That was an Alfie Jansco trademark. Jansco started Alfie's European Deli in 1999 at the Mara Trade Centre. I took over the business in 2006. I've been Alfie longer than Alfie, says current owner Tony Haines. They pu
Related Stories
The Kidney Foundation of Canada Sarnia-Lambton Chapter
Elaine Hayter came to lend a hand with the Sarnia-Lambton Chapter of the Kidney Foundation and stayed because of the friends she has made. Hayter, the senior development manager of the Foundation, joined the organization in 1986 as a volunteer and later joined the board. I started helping out with
Belly Babe Boutique
When one door closed for Julie Lester, she opened another. I have always worked in retail and had worked at a store called Children's Garden in Sarnia for 10 years, Lester says. When it closed, I knew I couldn't stay at home, and my husband suggested I begin looking for a part-time job.
Express Employment Professionals
Bruce Hein entered the employment business in 2000 when he purchased Best Personnel. Since 2006 he has operated as part of Express Employment Professionals, the largest franchised staffing firm in North America. His mission is simple: to connect good workers with good jobs. The worst thing we can
Taproots Green Gardens
While attending the University of Windsor, Ryan Slyzuk had a clear vision of his future: he was going to be a freelance journalist and write news stories for various publications. That all changed when he took a year break from school and traveled to Australia. "I did a program called WWOOF which
