User:Tibbonzero/Awesome Foundation

Awesome Foundation for Arts and Sciences, often shortened to the Awesome Foundation, is a microphilanthropy group started in 2009 with the first chapter brought together by Tim Hwang (founder of ROFLcon) in Boston, Massachusetts. There are approximately 20 active chapters worldwide, each containing ten members known as micro-trustees. Each chapter gives a $1,000 grant to an applicant chosen by the micro-trustees of that chapter on a monthly basis. The Awesome Foundation chapters are not non-profit entities, but there is an overarching non-profit called the Institute for Higher Awesome Studies.

Grant Process
Grant applicants are asked to fill out a short application describing the project they would like placed under consideration. These applications may be considered by any of the chapters regardless of physical location, as the location names of the chapters describes the location of the chapter members, not where the grant will be rewarded. Each chapter has its own decision making process. Once a decision has been made the grant is awarded and celebrated with a short presentation at a small award party. Should distance prevent the award recipient attending the event, a remote presentation or summary of their project is given to the audience. Each chapter rewards one grant each month. Money is given as a grant with no strings attached.

Organization
The Awesome Foundation is comprised of several semi-autonomous chapters. Each has ten members, referred to as micro-trustees, who agree to contribute $100 per month for awarding grants. A Dean of Awesome serves as an 11th member. The dean does not contribute monetarily, but assists in the organization and planning for the chapter and assists in the grant decision process. Individuals wishing to form their own chapters are encouraged to contact the Awesome Foundation for additional information.

Micro-trustee highlights include Tim Hwang; Jon Pierce, co-founder of betahouse; Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and Breadpig; Clay Shirkey; Mackenzie Cowell, founder of DIYbio; Jane Ní Dhulchaointigh, inventor of Sugru; and Richard Moross, CEO of Moo.

Micro-trustees occupy 'seats' which are named after the founding micro-trustee initially holding the seat. Immediately after this policy was noted, David Fisher and Matt Blake assumed position in each other's founding seats.

History
In June 2009, Tim Hwang put out a call for trustees to join the Awesome Foundation. Shortly after the first group was formed and had its first meeting at the Seven Hills Park in Somerville, Massachusetts. The first grant was awarded to Hansy Better Barraza for the creation of a Giant Hammock to be erected for public use in a Boston-area park.

Individuals from other areas soon contacted the Awesome Foundation and the second chapter to form was from Providence, RI. Providence's initial grant rewarded the building of a giant guitar.