AboutFaceDetroit Wins Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant
AboutFaceDetroit receives a $5,000 grant through the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant program following a successful crowdfunding campaign to install trash cans and reduce litter throughout the East Village.
AboutFaceDetroit, a nonprofit organization based in the East Village of Detroit, Michigan, has been awarded a $5,000 grant through the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant program. The grant follows a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised $8,500 from 179 patrons to install trash cans and reduce litter throughout the East Village.
We launched the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant program to empower changemakers to develop strategies for implementing inexpensive, flexible, and quick improvements to improve the quality of life in their communities. Changemakers were challenged to launch a crowdfunding campaign for an eligible project with a goal of over $1,000. The campaign that raised at least $1,000 from the highest number of unique patrons would receive a matching grant of up to $5,000.
AboutFaceDetroit, with a mission to restore home exteriors and boost community pride in East Village, launched its campaign, Love, Not Litter, on October 1, 2024. The campaign aimed to raise funds to purchase ten commercial-grade trash cans to install along Mack Avenue and East Vernor Highway, as well as regular maintenance, waste removal, and education on proper waste disposal.
The organization spends several hours each week picking up trash and identified a need for more trash cans throughout the neighborhood. After installing a single trash can on the corner of East Vernor Highway and Cadillac Boulevard, it has been used widely by the community and received praise from neighbors. This simple addition inspired them to launch their campaign, create a cleaner neighborhood, and instill a sense of pride in the community.
In the campaign's final weeks, the organization reached its goal but was closely contested by two other campaigns for the most unique patrons. The organization leveraged its social media following to attract unique donors with small-dollar donations, including partnering with Encarnacion, a coffee shop, to provide rewards of free coffee and hats for $5 and $25 donations, respectively.
The campaign capitalized on small contributions from 179 patrons, averaging $45.70. With the most unique donors, AboutFaceDetroit was awarded a $5,000 matching grant from Patronicity.
In addition to receiving the most individual contributions, it raised the highest dollar amount of any campaign launched through the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant program, crowdfunding $8,500.
“We are thrilled to have not only beaten our own fundraising goal but have won the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant!” said Jade James-Gist, Vice President of Operations for AboutFaceDetroit. “The incredible support of our donor community and Patronicity means we can take our ‘Love, Not Litter’ campaign even further—bringing more permanent trash cans, anti-litter signage, and a cleaner, more welcoming East Village for our neighbors. We’re so excited to have become better fundraisers and even more engaged in our community.”
The campaign exemplifies our commitment to using civic crowdfunding to build vibrant communities, showcasing what is possible when communities unite and take ownership of local change.
The Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Challenge Grant program attracted interest across the United States. Community groups from 21 states, including Hawaii, completed the initial prescreen form. The program launched 18 crowdfunding campaigns for projects in 11 states, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Nine projects crowdfunded at least $1,000 for their projects. In total, the program crowdfunded $44,300 for community projects.
If your organization wants to start a challenge grant program to encourage change in your community, please contact us at challenge@patronicity.com.
