Project for Awesome
The Project for Awesome (P4A) is an annual online fundraising event organized by the Foundation to Decrease World Suck, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that raises money for charities focused on addressing global issues such as health, education, and humanitarian aid through community-submitted videos, public voting, and a 48-hour YouTube livestream.[1] Founded in 2007 by brothers John and Hank Green as the "Nerdfighter Power Project," it originated from their YouTube channel Vlogbrothers and the Nerdfighteria online community, initially exploiting a YouTube algorithm to promote charity videos.[1] Over its 18 iterations as of 2025 (with no event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), P4A has evolved from a simple video contest into a major digital philanthropy initiative, featuring guest creators, donation perks, and viewer engagement to "decrease world suck."[2] The event's structure emphasizes community involvement: participants submit short videos highlighting charities from January to early February, followed by public voting to select up to 30 organizations for funding; donations are collected leading up to and during the livestream in mid-February, with the first 24 hours supporting pre-selected partners like Save the Children and Partners in Health, and the second 24 hours allocating funds to voted charities.[1] Board members including Mike Green, Marie Ann Fernandez-Silva, and Rosianna Halse Rojas oversee operations alongside the founders, ensuring grants go to verified 501(c)(3) equivalents that align with the event's mission.[1] Early years saw modest raises, such as $140,000 in 2010, but growth accelerated post-2012 with the introduction of livestreaming, leading to record amounts like $3.7 million in 2025.[2] By 2025, P4A had collectively raised over $27 million for more than 100 charities worldwide, pioneering the model of creator-led online fundraisers and inspiring similar events in the digital space.[2] Its success stems from the passionate Nerdfighteria community, which has sustained participation despite shifts in online platforms, and strategic matching donations that amplify contributions.[1] The 2025 event alone generated $3,740,594.69, with half directed to core partners and the rest split among community-chosen causes, underscoring P4A's ongoing impact on global philanthropy.[2]Background
Founding and Origins
The Project for Awesome was founded on December 17, 2007, by brothers John Green and Hank Green through their Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, then known as Brotherhood 2.0. In a video announcement that day, they called on their audience to upload charity-promoting videos simultaneously at noon EST, aiming to flood YouTube's front page with positive content supporting various causes. This spontaneous event marked the inception of what would become an annual charitable initiative, originally called the Nerdfighter Power Project.[3] The motivation stemmed from the Greens' desire to harness online creativity for good, inspired by their burgeoning online community, Nerdfighteria, which emphasized collaborative efforts to "decrease world suck"—a phrase encapsulating the reduction of global negativity through actionable positivity. Participants were encouraged to create and share videos advocating for charities of their choice, fostering a sense of collective impact without structured oversight.[1] Initially, the event operated without a formal fundraising platform, relying instead on the visibility generated by video views to drive informal, direct donations from viewers to the featured organizations. Over 400 user-submitted videos were posted on December 17, 2007, promoting a range of small charities and amplifying their visibility across YouTube. This first iteration succeeded primarily in raising awareness for these causes, though without centralized tracking of funds, the exact donation totals remained unquantified.[2][4]Connection to Nerdfighteria
Nerdfighteria is an online community that originated from the Vlogbrothers YouTube channel, launched in 2007 by brothers John and Hank Green as part of their Brotherhood 2.0 vlogging experiment. The community, composed of self-identified "Nerdfighters," emphasizes intellectual activism—defined as efforts to foster positive social change through education, empathy, and community-driven initiatives—while incorporating humor as a core element to engage members in lighthearted yet meaningful discussions. This blend of wit and purpose is evident in the community's lexicon, including the mantra "DFTBA" (Don't Forget To Be Awesome), which encourages members to combat negativity and promote self-esteem.[5][6] The Project for Awesome (P4A) directly embodies Nerdfighteria's foundational values, particularly the slogan "Decrease World Suck," which calls for reducing global negativity through actionable philanthropy. As a non-partisan initiative, P4A focuses on positive promotion of charities via uplifting, community-generated content, aligning with the community's emphasis on intellectual activism without political advocacy. This approach encourages participants to highlight nonprofit organizations that address social issues in constructive, humorous ways, reinforcing Nerdfighteria's commitment to enthusiasm and acceptance.[1][6] By 2025, Nerdfighteria has grown to encompass millions of subscribers and active participants across YouTube and other platforms, with the Vlogbrothers channel alone surpassing 4 million subscribers. P4A stands as the community's flagship annual event, drawing widespread involvement to amplify its charitable impact.[7][1] Community engagement in P4A has evolved significantly since its inception as an informal extension of Vlogbrothers videos, transitioning from casual shares of charity-promoting content to a structured process with organized video submissions adhering to specific guidelines. Participants now contribute through curated uploads that are featured during the event's livestream, while donor perks—such as exclusive merchandise, virtual experiences, and matching funds—have incentivized broader participation and sustained the grassroots momentum. This progression reflects Nerdfighteria's maturation into a coordinated network for collective activism.[1]Organization and Governance
Foundation to Decrease World Suck
The Foundation to Decrease World Suck was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Montana in 2012 and obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service effective January 2013.[8][9] Its mission is to engage online video communities of fans and creators in raising awareness and funds for hundreds of charities that address suffering and injustice, thereby decreasing "world suck" through efficient and transparent grant-making.[10] Operationally, the foundation serves as the formal entity managing the Project for Awesome, overseeing all fundraising activities during the event, vetting nominated charities for eligibility based on criteria such as financial transparency and program impact, and distributing grants from proceeds to approved organizations afterward—typically allocating half to longstanding partners like Partners in Health and Save the Children, with the remainder supporting participant-recommended causes.[11] A pivotal milestone was the shift from informal, community-driven efforts in the late 2000s to structured nonprofit operations upon incorporation in 2012, which enabled scalable grant distribution over $27 million as of 2025.[2] In the 2020s, the foundation enhanced its digital infrastructure by integrating the Tiltify platform for event donations and perk fulfillment, improving accessibility and efficiency for global participants. The organization operates under the oversight of the Green brothers, who founded the Project for Awesome.[12]Leadership and Board Structure
The Project for Awesome is directed by its founders, brothers John Green and Hank Green, who established the initiative in 2007 as part of their broader efforts to engage online communities in philanthropy. John Green serves as the primary host and visionary leader, guiding the event's creative direction and public-facing elements, such as hosting the annual livestream with guest appearances from creators and advocates. Hank Green, as co-founder, takes on the operational lead, overseeing production logistics, platform integrations, and the foundation's administrative functions, including his role as vice president of the governing body.[1][13][14][15] Governance of the Project for Awesome falls under the Foundation to Decrease World Suck (FTDWS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 2012. As of 2025, the FTDWS board comprises nine members, blending the Green brothers with community representatives and nonprofit experts to ensure diverse perspectives in strategic oversight. The board includes John Green, Hank Green, Mike Green (family member and advisor), Marie Ann Fernandez-Silva (former P4A producer), Valerie Barr (nonprofit governance specialist), Taylor Behnke (community engagement lead), Benny Fine (media producer), Rosianna Halse Rojas (content creator and advocate), and Angela Lin (philanthropy operations expert). This structure emphasizes accountability and inclusivity, drawing from Nerdfighteria—the online community tied to the Greens' work—while incorporating professional expertise in charity management.[1][13][10] The board leads key decision-making processes, including the annual nomination and selection of beneficiary charities, approval of grants, and planning of event components like video submissions and auctions. Nominations open to the public and community, with the board reviewing submissions for alignment with the mission to "decrease world suck," followed by voting mechanisms where participants influence allocations—typically directing 50% of funds to community-chosen organizations and the remainder to established partners. Event planning involves board committees for operational policies, ensuring compliance and impact measurement, as outlined in the foundation's bylaws which require majority votes for motions and annual meetings for strategic reviews.[13][16][17] Notable evolution in governance occurred by 2013, when the project transitioned from informal, Green-led decisions during its early YouTube-based iterations to a formalized diverse board structure upon the FTDWS receiving 501(c)(3) status on January 23, 2013. This shift, following incorporation in 2012, introduced structured oversight with term limits, quorum requirements, and officer roles (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) to bolster transparency and scalability as fundraising grew.[13][18][17]Event Format
Video Creation and Submission
Participants create videos to promote a single eligible charity, focusing on its impact and work in decreasing "world suck" without making direct appeals for donations. Videos must be original, non-plagiarized content, avoiding AI generation, and should explicitly mention the current year's Project for Awesome (e.g., "Project for Awesome 2025"). A recommended length is 2-4 minutes to maintain engagement, with clear audio and video quality prioritized over professional equipment—smartphones or webcams suffice. Sensitive topics require content warnings, and creators are encouraged to use personal storytelling, humor, and the distinctive Nerdfighteria style of witty, community-oriented narratives to highlight the charity's mission effectively.[16][19] The submission process begins with uploading the video to YouTube, including Shorts, followed by entry through the official online portal at projectforawesome.com/submit during the annual window. For 2025, submissions opened at 12:00 PM EST on January 25 and closed at 11:59 AM EST on February 8, with earlier uploads recommended to allow time for processing. Eligible charities must be 501(c)(3) organizations or foreign equivalents that do not pass funds to individuals or shareholders. Once submitted, videos undergo manual review by organizers to ensure compliance with guidelines and appropriateness before approval and public availability for voting starting around February 11.[16] Over the years, the video creation and submission process has evolved from informal YouTube postings during the inaugural 2007 event—a 24-hour platform takeover featuring community charity videos—to a structured online portal by 2010, enabling centralized review, voting, and integration with the livestream. This shift facilitated broader participation and perks such as featured video placements or custom creator content for top donors, enhancing community engagement. Selected videos are briefly showcased during the livestream broadcast to amplify awareness.[20][21]Livestream Broadcast and Auction
The livestream broadcast forms the core of the Project for Awesome event, serving as a telethon-style gathering that amplifies community engagement and drives real-time donations. Held annually over a three-day weekend in mid-February, the 2025 edition ran from 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 14, to 11:59 a.m. EST on Sunday, February 16, spanning approximately 48 hours with brief downtime breaks for technical maintenance.[22] Streamed live on YouTube via the official Project for Awesome channel, the broadcast incorporates selected videos submitted by participants to promote nominated charities, fostering a sense of collective action among viewers.[1] Hosted primarily by brothers John Green and Hank Green, the livestream features a dynamic mix of content, including guest appearances by creators, celebrities, and charity representatives, alongside interactive segments such as live discussions, performances, and on-air challenges to encourage donations. Real-time updates on fundraising progress are displayed throughout, building excitement as totals climb and highlighting top-voted videos or emerging donor milestones. This format not only showcases the community's creative output but also creates an immersive, participatory experience that motivates immediate contributions.[1] Running parallel to the broadcast, the auction component utilizes the Tiltify platform to offer exclusive perks and items, transforming standard donations into opportunities for unique rewards. Donors can bid on or purchase limited-edition experiences, such as meet-and-greets with hosts, custom videos from creators, or memorabilia like signed artwork and celebrity-donated goods—for instance, a 2023 auction featured an item tied to the film Deadpool. These campaigns operate from shortly before the livestream opens until a few days after it concludes, with perks fulfillment handled post-event to ensure all proceeds benefit charities after deducting production costs. Tiltify's integration enables seamless, direct donations with automated reward tracking, enhancing accessibility for global participants.[22][23] The technical infrastructure supporting these elements has evolved significantly since the event's inception. Early iterations in 2008 relied on rudimentary live streaming setups to coordinate viewer efforts, but by the 2010s, the production shifted to YouTube for broader reach and reliability, incorporating multi-camera feeds and chat integration. A key advancement came in 2021 with the adoption of Tiltify specifically for fundraising, replacing prior crowdfunding tools like Indiegogo and providing specialized features for charity streams, including auction houses and donor incentives. This progression has allowed the Project for Awesome to scale its global audience while maintaining a focus on efficient, transparent donation processing.[24]History
Early Years (2007–2010)
The Project for Awesome originated in 2007 as the Nerdfighter Power Project for Awesome, an impromptu video campaign launched by brothers John and Hank Green through their Vlogbrothers YouTube channel. Aimed at their emerging online community of Nerdfighteria, the initiative called for participants to create and upload short videos highlighting charities and projects that "decrease world suck," with the collective goal of flooding YouTube's most discussed videos section to amplify awareness. Although the event generated no centralized funds—donations were made directly by individuals to featured organizations—it fostered significant community momentum and established the project's playful, video-driven format for promoting philanthropy.[1][20] By 2008, the project evolved to include a livestream component and introductory auction elements, where community members bid on creator-donated items to support nominated causes. Held in December to align with the holiday season's emphasis on giving, this iteration retained its focus on video submissions for charity advocacy while beginning to incorporate direct engagement tools like live broadcasts to coordinate efforts. Fundraising remained modest and decentralized, with proceeds handled informally through personal donations and auctions, building on the prior year's awareness gains without a formal structure for allocation.[25] The years 2009 and 2010 marked notable growth, as the event introduced basic donation tracking mechanisms to monitor contributions more effectively. Videos continued to spotlight diverse nonprofits, and community voting helped prioritize beneficiaries, enhancing participation from YouTube creators beyond the core Nerdfighteria group. In 2010, these developments culminated in over $140,000 raised through auctions, merchandise sales, and direct gifts, distributed ad hoc to selected charities due to the absence of formal nonprofit status at the time. This experimental phase highlighted logistical challenges, such as coordinating distributions without a centralized entity, yet solidified the project's role in mobilizing online audiences for charitable impact.[26][9]Expansion and Evolution (2011–2020)
Following the informal beginnings of the Project for Awesome, 2011 saw the incorporation of the Foundation to Decrease World Suck (DFTWS) as a nonprofit organization in Montana, providing a formal structure for fundraising and enabling the distribution of significant funds to vetted charities for the first time. This legal foundation, established in late 2011, facilitated more efficient grant-making and oversight, marking a transition from ad hoc donations to institutionalized philanthropy within the Nerdfighteria community. The board was expanded during this period to enhance governance and ensure accountability in fund allocation.[27] In 2012, the event introduced key operational changes, including a shift to Indiegogo for hosting auctions and perks, which streamlined donations and boosted participation. This adaptation helped raise $483,446, a substantial increase that reflected the growing scale of the annual December livestream broadcast. The format solidified as a consistent yearly tradition, with video submissions expanding rapidly—generating thousands of charity-promoting entries as early as 2011 and continuing to grow through the decade, reaching even higher volumes by 2015 amid broader community involvement.[2][28][29] The mid-2010s represented peak growth, exemplified by the 2014 event, which set a fundraising record of $1,226,382 through heightened viewer engagement and strategic partnerships. During these years, the project emphasized a global charity focus, directing substantial portions of proceeds to international organizations such as Save the Children and Partners in Health to address worldwide issues like health and education. To adapt to evolving YouTube algorithms that reduced organic video visibility, organizers refined the livestream model for better retention and promotion, while incorporating community feedback to foster more inclusive participation, such as simplified submission processes and diverse charity nominations.[2][1]Recent Developments (2021–present)
In 2021, the Project for Awesome transitioned from its longstanding December scheduling to February, aligning with President's Day weekend (February 12–14) to provide additional time for preparation and community engagement.[30] This shift followed the cancellation of the 2020 event amid the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing the initiative to adapt its fully virtual livestream format with enhanced online tools for video submissions and voting.[30] Following 2021, the event has emphasized expanded matching funds to amplify donor impact, exemplified by the Foundation to Decrease World Suck's contribution of $610,524 in 2025 toward grants for Save the Children and Partners in Health.[31] These funds, combined with direct donations, have supported a balanced allocation model, directing half of proceeds to established partners and the remainder to community-selected organizations. The continued management by the Foundation to Decrease World Suck has facilitated these adaptations while maintaining the event's core virtual structure. The 2025 iteration, marking the 18th annual event, occurred from February 14–16 and raised $3,739,917.69 through Tiltify campaigns, matching contributions, and perks sales.[1] It highlighted 30 nominated charities chosen via community video votes, fostering greater participant involvement in grant decisions.[1] Looking forward, the Project for Awesome is set for February 13–15, 2026, with organizers prioritizing sustainable practices to navigate ongoing platform evolutions.[31]Fundraising and Impact
Funds Raised by Event
The Project for Awesome has demonstrated significant growth in fundraising capacity since its inception, with totals reflecting the expanding engagement of the Nerdfighteria community and strategic enhancements like matching donations. While the initial events from 2007 to 2009 focused primarily on video creation to promote charities without centralized fundraising, direct monetary collection began in 2010 through platforms like ChipIn and evolved to modern tools such as Tiltify and Indiegogo.[2][26]| Year | Amount Raised |
|---|---|
| 2007 | N/A (video promotion only) |
| 2008 | N/A (video promotion only) |
| 2009 | N/A (video promotion only) |
| 2010 | $140,000 |
| 2011 | $75,000 |
| 2012 | $483,446 |
| 2013 | $869,591 |
| 2014 | $1,226,382 |
| 2015 | $1,546,384 |
| 2016 | $2,151,285 |
| 2017 | $2,029,007 |
| 2018 | $1,640,051 |
| 2019 | $1,430,957 |
| 2020 | No event |
| 2021 | $2,368,016 |
| 2022 | $3,236,501 |
| 2023 | $3,069,995 |
| 2024 | $3,530,889 |
| 2025 | $3,739,918 |