Last week the Montreal Awesome Foundation awarded its first grant. You can read my blog post about it here. The event went well – we are starting to build momentum, we enjoyed a beer or two, and it’s exciting to tap into and participate in the thirst for small-scale people-centred change initiatives.
At Santropol Roulant, one of our tenets is that how we do something is as important as what we do. At the Awesome Foundation, I’m beginning to understand that the how might actually be more important than the what.
First round grant winner Bobbi-Jo might disagree, and we are still in the early stages so we have no what to point to, but so far our how – a group of people giving $100 each every month to support an awesome idea – is what seems to be garnering the most interest and attraction.
When I talk about the Awesome Foundation, everyone wants to know more about the process. Interest in the grantees pales to the keenness to know more about how and why a group of individuals decided to take action. Is it possible that the interest and consequent attitudinal change engendered from our conversations might be the greatest change we are bringing about?
It seems counter-intuitive that talking about giving away money brings about more change than the actual money, but maybe it isn’t.
Sadly, the reasons not to take action and try and affect change are often far more compelling than the reasons to do something. It’s hard to feel like any one individual can make a difference and even if you think you can, it’s hard to know what to do.
But what if changing the world was simple? What if changing the world could happen through a series of small gestures? The Awesome Foundation opens up this possibility and therein lies its great power. The Awesome Foundation is inspirational, aspirational and accessible. The Awesome Foundation is change and proof positive that how we do something is as important and sometimes more important than what we do.
It feels good to be reminded that even though our problems are complex, sometimes our solutions are deceptively simple.
What was the first project that the Awesome Foundation invested in? It is all to easy to be cynical. I love how this initiative provides an accessible way to effect change. Is this group open to new members?
I’m not sure what the first ever AF project was. Good question though. Let me try and find out. The first AF Montreal funded idea is a kid-designed and documented greening alley project.
If you want to get involved, let me know.
Hello my dear Chad. We’ve been very keen on digging into this ‘how’ dynamic (what we’ve started calling expressive change) in the foundation world for a while now. We’d love to re-post this reflection on Organization Unbound…and we’re really interested in hearing more about your experience around this, as well as the experience of your Awesome Foundation peers. I’d love to chat about the possibilities!
thanks Tana. Would be honoured to have you repost and always happy to chat!