MONTREAL - The Awesome Foundation is now in Montreal, helping empower people who care about their community one at a time. The concept, which has worked elsewhere, is proving to be just as awesome in Quebec.
Charlotte Cornfield writes songs on demand for her Montreal audience; she's also the recipient of an awesome gift: a grant from the Awesome Foundation.
"A friend of mine who's also a musician was just talking about different grant opportunities and he mentioned the Awesome Foundation," said Cornfield. "I was like, ‘I love the word awesome,' so I was like ‘I have to check this out.'"
She did and discovered a foundation made up of ten ordinary Montrealers. Each of whom digs $100 out of their pockets every month to come up with a $1,000 grant for someone who's making a difference in our community.
Chad Lubelsky got the idea from Facebook.
"To me, it seemed like the most amazing thing to do," said Lubelsky. "How a group of individuals gather and try at a smaller level to create change."
Small changes that benefit our community that he and fellow Awesome Foundation board members agree deserve to be recognized. Like Cornfield, who says the $1,000 will make a huge difference to her when she stages a summer concert featuring songs about Montreal.
"It will make everything possible. It will cover the costs of just things like posters, like audio, video recording and venue rentals, and just like make this possible," said Cornfield.
"I'm a big fan of do-it-yourself philanthropy, of an active citizenry getting involved in the community. You know, just being able to avoid the bureaucracy, the red tape and looking for those projects that can have a big impact," said Aleece Germano, a member of the Awesome Foundation.
"What I really want is to be able to inspire people to think positively and to kind of send out a message that you can make a positive difference to your community," said Anita Maiezza, another board member.
Past grant recipient, Etienne Lyrette is part of a group that wants to spur dialogue on local community issues.
"It's great. It's just nice to see that people like that just give some of their money, no strings attached, just to a great project," said Lyrette, who started Les Justiciers Urbains.
A great project that benefits not only awesome winners, but also all those touched by their work, including the foundation's supporters.
"It's reciprocal, we give $100 but I get to meet amazing people, find out about great ideas and also feel like I'm giving a little bit back to my community," said Lubelsky.
