So you’re interested in applying for an Awesome New Orleans $1000 grant? Since we launched in March, we’ve received nearly 100 applications and have given away a total of $4000 to projects that make New Orleans more AWESOME!

With the word spreading about Awesome New Orleans, I thought now would be a good time to let y’all know how we make decisions about granting.

SO, you may not know that we give out $1000 grants to civic media projects eight months out of the year. The other four months of the year are open. To read more about civic media, click here. Every month, each trustee votes on the top three projects s/he thinks should be awarded. Whichever projects get the most votes are discussed at our monthly trustee meeting. Projects that are not civic media focused do not make it to discussion (during the civic media months).

There are currently 20 trustees who gather monthly to choose the month’s grant winner. We all have different opinions, but here are some of the trends on how we vote:

Community Engagement – we love projects that are community-based, community-connected and representative of its target community. Projects that are about building community and that engage members of the target community win over projects that are only beautiful.

Social Justice – we love projects that are about fostering equity and justice.

Marginalized Groups – we support projects that prioritize groups of people who are often overlooked (esp. “people of color”, women, and poor folks).

Youth – we support projects that address issues related to disadvantaged youth.

Creativity – we like to encourage “out-of-the-box” thinking. We want to see new and fresh projects, non-traditional ideas.

Besides that, we like to support projects that could have a “ripple effect,” an impact beyond the project itself. And we’re not afraid to fund projects that don’t have other funding sources. Somebody’s gotta be the first! Finally, we like to support projects that are just FUN.

This is list is by no means a strict criteria for decision-making, rather it’s meant to provide a window into our process. We also fund projects that don’t fit into any of these categories as well!

So now that you know a little more, you may feel inspired to apply for a $1000 grant for YOUR project. Click here to apply!

Note: We only review grants for that month’s grant cycle. So, if you applied for a May grant, we will only review your application in May. We will not review your application for future grant cycles. If you want your application to be considered during another grant cycle, you must apply during that grant cycle. The good news is – you can apply as many times as you want!!

Every month, Awesome New Orleans gives a $1000 no-strings-attached grant to a project that makes New Orleans more AWESOME. Our giving focus through August is “civic media”… projects that involve spreading information in community. Click here for more info about our giving focus.

Could you be July’s grantee? Apply for a grant today!

This month’s grant cycle ends Monday, June 24, 2013.

We’re looking for someone to fill a part-time (10-15 hours a week) position as the Dean of Awesome New Orleans for the next 12 months!

The ideal candidate is someone with excellent organization skills who can balance a wide range of tasks and manage communications with the 20+ trustees and members of the wider Awesome community in New Orleans. She or he should be comfortable with social media and traditional promotion alike and eager to learn. Excitement to learn about, support, and work with New Orleans’ social enterprise, artistic, and social justice communities is a must.

Please send your resume and a cover letter to neworleans@awesomefoundation.org by May 5th at 5pm.

Your main responsibilities will likely include the following…

Logistics:
– Keep tidy records of monthly payments, donations, and expenses. (Monthly)
– Help trustees with the website and payment. (As needed)

Promotion:
– Promote events and interact with community on Facebook and Twitter. (Weekly)
– Post on the blog (original content, found content, or interviews). (Weekly)
– Write press releases for awards and events. (Monthly)
– Find and attend events to promote Awesome New Orleans at. (Ongoing)
– Brainstorm other ways to get more awesome applications. (Ongoing)

Events:
– Organize and attend (mandatory) 3 events monthly: a trustee deliberation meeting, an award presentation party, a community Awesome Hours meet-up. (Effectively weekly)
– Locate potential spaces and partners for events, interface (Ongoing)

Perks:
– Potential for travel to Awesome Foundation Summit in New York.
– Work from wherever you’d like!
– A very competitive hourly rate (up to 15 hours a week)
– Be an ambassador for awesomeness in New Orleans!