Last night I dropped by the launch party for Awesome Portland, a microfunding organization that doles out $1,000 “minigrants” to deserving projects—no strings attached. The organization, which has branches worldwide but just launched locally, asks its trustees to contribute $100 every other month; they then choose five finalists from a pool of applicants, and the finalists pitch their projects in front of a crowd full of supporters and judges.
Last night’s presentations ranged from charming-but-I-wouldn’t-give-you-money (“Goatlandia,” a goat-raising enterprise in Northeast Portland) to charming-but-of-dubious-community-benefit (a bike-powered screen printing operation) to totally earnest and worthy (a plan to help Iraqi refugees build and develop food carts). Some of the presenters struggled to connect with the audience in explaining how, exactly, they would use the funds if they won; the winning project, Schoolyard Farms*, laid out a clear description of their organic farm/school garden project, and explained what specifically the funds would go toward (providing scholarships to low-income kids to attend a garden-based summer camp). I think that clarity and specificity went a long way toward impressing the judges—something to keep in mind if you’re planning to apply for one of Awesome Portland’s grants in the future.
The deadline for the next round of applications is July 5, and you can learn more right here. They are also looking for a few more trustees, if you’ve got an extra $600 a year and some time on your hands, and want to spend it supporting innovative projects in your community.
*conflict of interest alert! This is my roommate’s farm, and I was pulling for her.
Is that your roommie in the medium-sized novelty check picture? She’s pretty cute and good for them!
Moratorium on naming things _____-landia please!
@1. Why couldn’t Alison’s roommate be the dude? You are a sexist fuck!
On topic; I wonder what horrible diseases will start popping up via urban farming?
@3. Hence the “is” part of the question. Kind of up to her to confirm/deny that.
Feeling fortunate I most likely do not know you, nor ever will.
Also, go fornicate thyself.
@caz. “She’s pretty cute”
Smooth, for a sexist fuck.
@hashmark, Knowing that you’d never say that to my face is somewhat comforting, as it couldn’t be any further from the truth, oh P.C. police troll, as anyone who knows me could tell you. However, nice job twisting a simple question and a compliment into something vile.
Didn’t mention the guy due to indifference, not hatred, but if that’s what will make you happy – saying “oh yes, I hate men, absolutely.” Then there you have it. Are you pleased now? Can you quietly fuck off into the night, satisfied?
Probably not.
Oh well.
(Note to self: Never write comments or read comments on the Mercury site ever again, these ‘people’…so hostile!)
@#: The roommate can’t be “the dude” because the footnote in the post says “I was pulling for HER.” Idiot. If you want to troll, at least try to be intelligent about it.
Urban farming and “horrible diseases”? What? Idiot.