Here are the rules:

1. There will be 10 members, each responsible for donating $100 a month.
2. The 10 will review applications for diverse projects, the only requirement of which is Awesomeness.
3. After a vote, one applicant each month will be awarded a micro-grant of $1,000.
4. The 10 can only quit their awesome quest in two manners:
   1. By finding a worthy successor
   2. Awesome death

OK, that’s probably overly dramatic, but there’s just something about the simplicity of the Awesome Foundation that borders on mysterious. The money is given with no strings attached and no profit in mind. Ideas range from hilarious to visionary.

Puppets to Pop-ups

Originally started in Boston, Awesome Chapters have sprouted across the U.S. and even as far away as Hamburg, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland. “The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is an ever-growing, worldwide network of people devoted to forwarding the interest of awesomeness in the universe,” according to the mother foundation’s website.

For example, Awesome Pittsburgh — our local chapter — recently awarded a micro-grant for a “Pop-up Co-op” — a revitalization project that repurposes an empty storefront as a locally run “incubator for small businesses.” The project is forward-thinking, ambitious and strategic.

Awesome Pittsburgh’s range can also be seen in the “Puppet Photo Booth.” To be installed in Pittsburgh’s Market Square, this Awesome-funded idea is equal parts performance art and Candid Camera. Basically, people will pull back the curtain thinking it’s a regular old photo booth, but will be surprised instead with a seven-minute, under-the-sea themed puppet show. And at some point during the performance, a picture will be secretly taken so you can take home a souvenir.

“We try to strike a balance between finding many forms of creativity and something that will engage and contribute to the city,” says Leah Lizarondo, trustee.

You could argue this is the coolest aspect of Awesome Pittsburgh, its freedom. Name a cause or a disease or an agenda and there is sure to already be a fully-functioning foundation dedicated to it. And though they have all the proper paperwork, they’ve got to show receipts and answer to a board and communicate with the government. But since Awesome Pittsburgh is only giving out a thousand bucks, they can pick a project that helps feed the homeless or the ducks in Frick Park and no one can say boo.

The Future of Awesome

The ideas keep rolling in. Awesome Pittsburgh has received over 70 applications in just a few months. Since they’re confidential, Leah couldn’t reveal the content of what’s coming, though you can bet it will be awesome.

Do you have a great idea that needs but a small injection of cold, hard cash to become a reality? Fill out this form and these crazy coots might award you with an easy, awesome G.