Instant Grants: A New Definition of "Fast Cash"

Instant Grant Program from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

This past weekend, I came across what could be one of the coolest instant grant programs EVER. Here's the gist: Over the summer, a group of 10 people calling themselves The Federation of Students and Nominally or Unemployed Artists (FSNUA) raised $1,000 from their family and friends, and then set up shop in a park to give it away -- right there, on the spot.

Armed with an old-fashioned typewriter, $1,000 in cash, a couple of bull horns, and lots of energy, the group distributed mini-grants of $10 to $60 to help, as they said, "re-inspire creative thinking and action in everyday people by removing a small barrier and providing encouragement." 

And inspire they did -- from a U.S. soldier on leave from Iraq, to an accordion player from Alaska, and around 40 others. Funding will support everything from knitting clothes for a homeless shelter to supporting a photo-journalist's quest to document maritime life.

This foundation program officer says, hallelujah! It's about time someone got out there and figured out how to simplify a grant process making it accessible to all. Sure, those little things we like to talk about like accountability and measuring impact may look a little different when your grant is closer to $100 rather than 10K or $100K,  but perhaps there's something we on the foundation side of things can learn from the simplicity of this project. 

So, how will the Federation of Students and Nominally or Unemployed Artists measure their impact? Does it even matter?  Perhaps creating a new means for getting funding in the hands of those deserving of it is success enough. What do you think?

(And if you haven't already, check out the great video above to learn more!)