Some news is worth pausing to celebrate and this is one of those moments.
We are thrilled to announce that we were awarded First Place in the Founders Track and the Audience Choice Award at the Do Good Challenge, hosted by the Do Good Institute. Together, these two honors came with $12,500 in funding — $10,000 for first place and $2,500 for the audience choice recognition.
But beyond the prize, this moment means something deeper to us.
A Standing Ovation for Our Executive Director & Co-Founder
None of this would have been possible without the courage, vision, and dedication of our Executive Director and Co-Founder, T-Kea Blackman, who stepped up to represent our organization in this challenge. Taking on a competition of this caliber, standing in front of a room and making the case for the work we do every day, is no small thing. We are so incredibly proud of you. Your passion for this mission is contagious, and this win is a reflection of the heart you pour into everything you do. Thank you for showing up and showing out for all of us.
Why This Matters
Every organization driven by a mission knows the tension well: the work you exist to do, and the operational engine that makes that work possible. Grant writing. Community outreach. Financial stewardship. These aren’t glamorous functions but without them, even the most meaningful programs can’t sustain themselves, let alone grow.
This funding goes directly toward strengthening that foundation. It will support our administrative capacity in ways that create real, lasting impact behind the scenes so that the work our community sees and feels can continue to deepen and expand.
What We’ll Do With It
The $12,500 will be invested in three core areas:
- Grant writing and development — so we can pursue more funding opportunities and tell our story to a broader audience of supporters
- Marketing and outreach — so more people who need us, and who want to support us, can find us
- Financial management — so we can operate with greater stability, transparency, and confidence
Together, these investments aren’t just administrative. They’re strategic. They’re how we build an organization that can grow with its community, not in spite of its constraints.
A Note of Gratitude
The Audience Choice Award carries a special kind of meaning as it reflects the people who showed up, listened, and believed in what we’re building. To everyone who voted, cheered us on, and has supported this work from the beginning: thank you. You are part of this win.
We’re energized, grateful, and more committed than ever to the mission ahead. This is just the beginning.
