Finalists

Each of the 10 finalists are worthy projects dedicated to sparking positive change in their neighborhoods, cities or towns. Check the Making Their Mark page to see which of the two programs won $25,000 grants.

Linda Mertz St. Louis, MO
Heart & Home - East Side Heart & Home
Helps low-income families become homeowners.
Donna Childs New York City, NY
From the Ground Up -
Supporting the small business community in recovering from disasters.
Ford Church Denver, CO
Connect Kids - Operation: Connect Kids to the Outdoors
A program through the Cottonwood Institute that empowers students to take action to improve their schools, communities and the environment.
Robyn Melamed Farmington Hills, MI
Camp Casey - West Michigan Horsey House Calls
Surprises children living with cancer with a knock on the door and a horse at their doorstep!
Annemarie Marek Dallas, TX
Shared Fuel - Give A Garden
Helps to convert backyards into vegetable gardens in low-income neighborhoods.
Christine Carroll Washington, DC, DC
CulinaryCorps -
Volunteering through Cooking on the Gulf Coast
Christie Jeffers New York City, NY
Heidi Latsky - Heidi Latsky Dance Project
Create original dance performances for both disabled and non-disabled students.
Kevin Roche Philadelphia, PA
Mural Arts Program -
Unite artists and communities through mural-making.
Sarah Harrington Chicago, IL
Chicago Lighthouse - Deaf-Blind Program
Outreach and support program for adults with deaf-blindness.
Lori Magelky West Fargo, ND
Minn-Kota PAAWS -
Spay and neuter assistance program for pets in need.