Awesome News Taskforce Detroit launches, awards first $1,000 micro-grant to the Detroit Journal
From The Huffington Post
Wouldn't it be great if you could get money just for having an awesome idea?
The Detroit Journal, a local online video project, was awarded $1,000 Friday, becoming the first Detroit winner of a new Awesome grant -- and yes, that's really what it's called.
The Awesome News Task Force Detroit, the 30th chapter of a loosely-knit global organization, launched here earlier this year. Each month, the local branch, comprised of Dean Marshalle Montgomery and 19 trustees, awards a grant to applicant with a community media project.
Projects range from journalism to art to technology -- Awesome News encourages applicants to think outside the box. The winner gets $1,000, no strings attached.
Instead of requiring grant winners to meet benchmarks or show exactly how they use their funding, Christina Xu, who organizes across the different Awesome chapters, said the organization takes the opposite approach: "What can we help you with after you win the money?" Oftentimes, that means using social media and personal networks to give projects a wider audience.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.