Hello all. :)

Remember the newsletter we sent earlier this year about the Case Foundation?

Again, they recently launched an amazing initiative called the Make It Your Own Awards, where people around the US were invited to decide what mattered most to them, envision what kind of community they wanted, and develop a plan to create that community. The contest is almost done: the Foundation has received nearly 5,000 applications and have just announced the 20 finalists—each of whom will receive $10,000.

Now the Case Foundation is asking the online community (this means us) for help in picking four from this list of 20. Those four will each get another $25,000 for their cause.

Please go have a look! The projects of the top 20 finalists are nothing short of inspirational (I think I'll share my favorites after the voting is done :), and certain to give you ideas about what you might want to try in your own community. And though reviewing their stories and project summaries is a pleasure in itself, the Case Foundation has an additional opportunity for those voting. They'll be giving $2,500 away to the charities of the first 10 people who vote for the four projects that become the Make It Your Own Award Final Four.

So go have a read, voice your thoughts on which of the projects should win, and take some time to appreciate just how much incredible energy there is out there around grassroots change. And here's a wish of good luck for winning some support toward the cause of your choice. :)


In connection and collaboration and coming together,

Siona
and the rest of the Gaia Team

PS. Even if you're not in the US you're invited to participate.  Although you'll be voting on projects in this country, no matter where you are in the world you can still share your thoughts on where each award should go. And yes: if your choices, again, match the final four, you'll get to pick a charity to gift with $2500. :)