Nau’s Grant for Change program takes off in first week

In only a week since Nau first announced the company was launching Grant for Change, a program that will become an annual giving event designed to recognize an individual or group bringing positive change to the community, the site has received more than 58 nominations with more coming in daily — click here to read the news release announcing the program and to find a link to the nomination form and rules.

“The stories we are getting are so inspiring,” Tami Snow, communications director for Horny Toad and Nau, told SNEWS®. “It makes you realize just how much more we can all be doing to be an active part in generating positive change in our own communities.”

Snow told us it took a lot of late evening discussions, meeting room roundtables, and numerous iterations to arrive at the program the company launched July 7. And while she said they were hopeful it would resonate with the Nau community since the brand has always been rooted in creating positive change, no one was really sure. Any doubt was quickly dispelled as the stories started pouring in almost immediately.

“The response has already far exceeded our expectations,” said Snow. “Even our Facebook and social networking sites are getting ten-times the traffic and sign-ups, a direct result of this program. It demonstrates that our dream of creating a community around change was not so wild an idea after all.”

Snow told us that the company is already hearing words of appreciation for the lack of stipulations pertaining to how the grant is used as well. “When you get down to it, many folks who start a program or activity in their community to effect change still have to eat and still have to pay rent. This money may be just what they need to focus on what matters for the community.”

To arrive at a winner among the many nominations, Nau will rely on a combination of public votes and official judging. The winner will receive a check during an official October 2009 ceremony. The recognition goes well beyond money and a simple thank you, though. Snow told us that Nau intends to create a space on its website that the winner can use as a soapbox to promote his or her cause to the world.

To learn more and start reading some of the truly inspiring tales, click here.

–Michael Hodgson