A loose configuration of autonomous groups across the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia are chapters of the Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences, essentially a venture capitalist operation to “’forwarded the interest of awesomeness in the universe.”

The ingenious idea is the brainchild of a recent Harvard graduate, Tim Hwang who says the concept started off as a joke, but has taken on a life of its own. Like the popular online crowdfunding site Kickstarter, Awesome chapters are made up of volunteers who pledge $100 a month for an Awesome Fellowship. Grant of $1,000 each are awarded monthly.

To date, the program has funded 190 projects. Among the awesome ideas that have become reality are a cannon that shoots cotton candy, an opera written, directed, and performed by grade-school children and a public hammock that can hold 15 people.

Have an awesome idea you want to pitch?