Awesome Without Borders

What Awesome Without Borders does

Awesome Without Borders is a nonprofit grant-making organization that operated from 2013 until early 2024 as a chapter within the broader Awesome Foundation network of micro-grantmakers. Its sole product was a weekly $1,000 no-strings-attached micro-grant awarded to individuals and organizations with creative, innovative, or socially impactful project ideas spanning categories such as activism, environment, arts, education, health, science, community development, and humanitarian causes. Over its 11+ year lifespan, the organization distributed $571,000 across exactly 571 projects (one $1,000 grant per project) across more than 20 countries, operating on a global basis.

The underlying 'technology' was minimal: a WordPress-hosted website (awesomewithoutborders.org) with a simple application intake and a social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. There is no API, SDK, or proprietary platform; the grant-selection process was managed by a board of trustees selecting weekly recipients from an open application pool. The revenue model is philanthropic rather than commercial — capital for grants came from an endowment/foundation structure rather than product sales, equity investment, or fees. No headcount, employee base, or financial statements were disclosed.

The organization announced in early 2024 that it was 'signing off and closing applications for good' after completing 571 grants (final grant awarded February 19, 2024 to the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter). The entity is now operationally defunct, with applicants directed to other Awesome Foundation chapters. There is no parent company, venture backing, or acquisition target structure.

Name

Awesome Without Borders

Legal name

Awesome Without Borders

Website

https://awesomewithoutborders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Awesome Without Borders was a nonprofit grant-making chapter of the Awesome Foundation that distributed weekly $1,000 no-strings-attached micro-grants to creative and social impact projects worldwide. From 2013 to early 2024, it funded 571 projects with $571,000 total before ceasing operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Micro-Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAH

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Micro-grant funding
• Creative project grants
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Community project funding
• Philanthropic micro-grants

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Awesome Without Borders was a nonprofit grant-making organization that distributed weekly micro-grants of $1,000 with no strings attached to support creative, innovative, and social impact projects worldwide. Over 11+ years of operation, the organization funded 571 projects totaling $571,000 across categories including activism, environment, arts, film, education, health, community development, and humanitarian causes. The organization operated a simple web-based application process and ceased accepting applications in early 2024.

Product overview

Awesome Without Borders is a nonprofit grant-making organization that distributes weekly micro-grants of $1,000 with no strings attached to support creative and innovative projects worldwide. The organization does not offer a traditional technology product; rather, it operates a simple web-based grant application and distribution system. Grant recipients span diverse categories including activism, environment, photography, animals, film, arts, food, refugees, children, science, civic engagement, health, culture, dance, design, documentary, music, education, wellness, empowerment, entrepreneurship, and more. The portfolio consists of 571 projects supported with $571,000 in total grant dollars over 11+ years. The organization announced its closure in early 2024 after supporting 571 projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly $1,000 No-Strings-Attached Grants Weekly micro-grants of $1,000 awarded on a no-strings-attached basis to individuals and small organizations with creative, innovative, or social impact project ideas spanning categories including activism, environment, photography, animals, film, preservation, art, food, refugees, children, science, civic engagement, health, community, culture, technology, education, music, wellness, women, and youth. Recipients span the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Quantifiable outcome

• 571 projects supported with $571,000 in total grants over 11+ years

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Direct peers

• The Awesome Foundation: The parent network of weekly $1,000 no-strings-attached micro-grants. Awesome Without Borders was a chapter within this ecosystem, sharing the identical grant format, application model, and trustee-driven selection process.
• GlobalGiving: Crowdfunding platform for nonprofit and social impact projects globally, allowing donors to fund creative and community initiatives. Comparable as a global distribution channel for grassroots project funding, though it operates a marketplace model rather than a trustee-selected grant.
• Pollination Project: Issues $1,000 seed grants daily to individual change-makers worldwide. Near-identical model to Awesome Without Borders in grant size, target beneficiary profile, and unrestricted micro-grant structure.
• Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Provides small, unrestricted grants to individual artists working in performance, visual arts, and experimental practice. Comparable as a grantmaker to individual creatives that complements Awesome Without Borders' micro-grant approach.
• Creative Capital: Provides project-based grants and advisory support to innovative artists working in the visual arts, performing arts, film/video, and literature. Comparable as a thematic grantmaker for unconventional creative projects similar to those funded by Awesome Without Borders.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat1 record

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AF_WB
• Facebookfacebook.com/AwesomeWithoutBorders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Awesome Without Borders