Awesome Portland Grant Winners: A Sample

You may wonder: what kind of projects get funded by Awesome Portland? Since 2012, we’ve funded over 100 projects—here is a small sample of some of our more notable projects. See the full list on the Awesome Foundation site.

A white record player sits ready, with the control knob set to ON.

XRAY FM

It started with an antenna for a low-power broadcast station in the Portland metro area. Now in its fourteenth year of operation, XRAY.fm is a non-profit radio station with 80+ DJs, playing a mix of music and talk.

One of Mike Bennett's earlier works, creating a scavenger hunt of cartoon characters scattered throughout the city. Here the largest Totoro hides in plain site next to the Grilled Cheese Grill.

Mike Bennett Scavenger Hunt

One of beloved artist Mike Bennett’s earliest projects was a character scavenger hunt, when he hid plywood cutouts throughout the city. Now he’s expanded to a community art center, coffee shop, and minigolf course.

A group of hands at a pool all reach towards the center as the Open Sign at Matt Dishman Community Pool is about to begin.

Swim Meet

Extending community through the swimming pool at Matt Dishman Community Center, all coordinated by the artist-in-residence.

Street Books

A bicycle-powered library, catering to Portland residents experiencing houselessness. Now with multiple bike libraries!

A black upright piano sits in a corner of the room, with an electronic sign reading "play me." There is a man in a hoodie and jeans ready to play the instrument for free.

Piano!Push!Play!

Bringing live piano music to the streets of Portland, Piano!Push!Play! installs donated pianos in strategic locations. Custom-decorated pianos stay in place all summer long, and anyone can play them.

Diverse Biographies

Replacing the library biography section of a local school with more diverse options, truly reflecting who the children are and who they can be.

Learn about all of our funded projects on the Awesome Foundation page!