Austin Awesome Foundation, June 2012: “Astronomy for Underserved Populations”

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Another month, another grant…

The Austin Awesome Foundation board of trustees have selected the project “Astronomy for Underserved Populations” as the recipient of June 2012 $1,000 grant. Congrats to Amy Jackson of Starry Sky Austin.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

My experience as an educator is that families with the financial means and time can provide their children with enriching educational opportunities such as a trip to the McDonald Observatory for example. I want to provide an opportunity for underserved communities to look through telescopes who wouldn’t normally. Seeing Saturn for example for the first time is an eye-opening experience. I have heard adults giggle when they see it and ask me if it is real or not. Understanding our place in the universe brings about a sense of peace and deep knowing that we are all part of the same stuff… we are all in this together. Peace through astronomy, if you will.

This project was selected from a batch of around 20 applications that we received in May alone. While all projects are unique, this month’s selection was based on the impact to underserved populations, including children, the project’s focused-mission, and the great passion by the project’s leader.

The Austin Awesome Foundation is getting an increased number of applications each month, and the applications themselves are getting better and more interesting; it is very exciting to be part of this.

Remember to submit your applications at the Austin Awesome Foundation website.

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We gathered at Threadgill’s on N Lamar in February to hang out, exchange ideas, and set plans. It was a blast. Eddie Wilson, Armadillo World Headquarters founder and Threadgill’s proprietor, joined us. He shared great stories about Austin and the Armadillo community, and we got to see some of the amazing items he has collected. Thanks to Rodney for taking these photos.

We gathered at Threadgill’s on N Lamar in February to hang out, exchange ideas, and set plans. It was a blast.

Eddie Wilson, Armadillo World Headquarters founder and Threadgill’s proprietor, joined us. He shared great stories about Austin and the Armadillo community, and we got to see some of the amazing items he has collected.

Thanks to Rodney for taking these photos.

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The Awesome Foundation Launches in Austin February 6, 2012 aka Awesome Day (Austin, Texas)Would you like to do or create something that makes Austin more awesome? We want to help you.Each month, we will give $1,000 to a project we pick because it forwards the interest of awesome in Austin and in the universe. We prefer projects that lead us somewhere new, that bridge communities, that bring to light new possibilities.Your idea is your own. We want no ownership, and we will attach no strings. We just want to help you make it happen. It’s really simple. Start by applying here. We will review applications received by February 28 to make our first selection by March 12.We are excited to bring the Awesome Foundation to this great town. Begun in Boston in 2009, this network has gone global with 20+ chapters in places like San Francisco, London, New York City, Ottawa, Seattle, Berlin, Sydney, and Zurich. Funded projects have included a giant hammock in Boston, random swings of joy, and the wonderful Big Dipper project. We will gather periodically to celebrate awesome projects like these. A fun night at The Alamo Drafthouse sounds about right. Keep a lookout.Austin’s founding members are: Hank Blackwell Matt Blake Sunni Brown Burnie Burns Joel Bush Kenneth Cho Jacqueline Hughes Shimon Kogan Randall Macon Vitorio Miliano Kerry Miller C. Enrique Ortiz Rip Rowan Rodney White Peyton Wimmer [image via boston.com, project via Awesome Foundation]

The Awesome Foundation Launches in Austin
 
February 6, 2012 aka Awesome Day (Austin, Texas)

Would you like to do or create something that makes Austin more awesome? We want to help you.

Each month, we will give $1,000 to a project we pick because it forwards the interest of awesome in Austin and in the universe. We prefer projects that lead us somewhere new, that bridge communities, that bring to light new possibilities.

Your idea is your own. We want no ownership, and we will attach no strings. We just want to help you make it happen.

It’s really simple. Start by applying here. We will review applications received by February 28 to make our first selection by March 12.

We are excited to bring the Awesome Foundation to this great town. Begun in Boston in 2009, this network has gone global with 20+ chapters in places like San Francisco, London, New York City, Ottawa, Seattle, Berlin, Sydney, and Zurich. Funded projects have included a giant hammock in Boston, random swings of joy, and the wonderful Big Dipper project.

We will gather periodically to celebrate awesome projects like these. A fun night at The Alamo Drafthouse sounds about right. Keep a lookout.

Austin’s founding members are:

[image via boston.com, project via Awesome Foundation]