2021 Creativity Foundation Grants

Creativity Fund:Rwanda (The Ingazi Fund)

The Creativity Fund:Rwanda puts the decision-making for Rwandan grant money into the hands of Rwandans who know and understand what is happening in their own communities. Created one year ago, it is an experiment to re-think foreign aid. (Foreigners are in facilitation and fundraising roles only, while all of the board leadership is from and based in Rwanda.) In its first year of operation, Creativity Fund:Rwanda hired a program coordinator, held four retreats with local entrepreneurs, recruited and trained five interns,… More…

Mamelodi initiative

The Mamelodi Initiative provides educational opportunities to young people in Mamelodi Township, while building local leadership. The Mamelodi Initiative effectively provides intensive support to young people with its Summer and Winter Jams, its computer literacy courses, its youth leadership council, and its E-Kasi LearnIN. The videos provided at their website make clear how empowering these programs are, and how critical the networks are that the learners build through the Mamelodi Initiative… More…

y2y network

Y2Y (Youth-2-Youth) Network effectively provides homeless youth with a safe place to sleep -- and also provides them with many other resources they need to succeed. Six years ago, Y2Y created a homeless shelter for young adults, managed primarily by young adults in Cambridge MA. And they are planning to open another in New Haven, CT. Creativity Foundation is impressed by the organization’s dedication to dignity for all, its care for the emotional and physical safety of the shelter’s guests and staff, the importance of continual evaluation and adaptability, and the need for collaboration… More…

the collective blueprint

The Collective Blueprint effectively provides intensive support to young adults in Memphis who have been out of work and school. This includes educational, medical, and psychological support. We were especially impressed with the organization’s decision to pivot to direct grants, as the organization assessed the impact of the situation Covid presented. The funds we provided will be used a) for direct grants and b) to help launch the organization’s new program reaching out to ALL Memphis students who are not going to college… More…

the academy of the company theatre

The Academy of the Company Theatre builds self-confidence in students through the performing and visual arts. It effectively provides a supportive, challenging, and fun environment for students to explore acting, singing, and dancing. We are impressed by the organization’s dedication to dignity for all, and its sensitivity to the needs of youth who are LGBTQ+. Clearly this is a place where meaningful discussions can be had, while students make new friends and learn new skills… More…

Waldorf School Bulgarian Folk Program

Maritsa Hristova, a Creativity Foundation Legacy winner, will be conducting a program at the Waldorf School, introducing the children to Bulgarian folk singing & playing, Bulgarian costumes, and Balkan rhythms. Her Bulgarian folk program will enrich the lives of her students, and broaden their world views…More…