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THRIVE ON! Secures 2-Year Pilot Grant from NoVo Foundation
THRIVE ON! Network Inc. (THRIVE ON!) has received a two-year, $550,000 pilot grant from the NoVo Foundation, marking the first major investment in its mission to build youth-led, grassroots power in Kingston.
The award provides $300,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2025, giving THRIVE ON! the ability to move from vision to action.
January 1, 2024
Launching with Early Thrivers
At the center of THRIVE ON!’s first year is the Early Thrivers program, a pilot effort employing and training local young people to take leadership in transforming their food system and their community.
“This investment means our young people don’t just participate in change—they lead it,” said Keyvious Avery, Founder & President of THRIVE ON!.
Building the Team
With this grant, THRIVE ON! is bringing on its first full-time staff member. Candace Lindenlauf, who has guided the Early Thrivers program since its launch, will now serve as Vice President, leading the program’s next chapter.
“Candace’s leadership ensures that Early Thrivers will have strong direction and room to grow,” Avery added. “It also frees me to begin exploring THRIVE ON!’s broader role in community economic development.”
Groundwork for What’s Ahead
While THRIVE ON!’s wider economic development arm is still in its early stages, this grant lays the foundation for the organization’s long-term vision: building pathways for youth and grassroots leaders to transform systems and strengthen democracy from the ground up.
About NoVo Foundation
The NoVo Foundation is dedicated to building a more just and balanced world, supporting initiatives in social justice, community resilience, and youth leadership. Their investment in THRIVE ON! underscores the importance of local, grassroots approaches to creating systemic change.
About THRIVE ON!
THRIVE ON! is a youth-driven nonprofit based in Kingston, NY. Beginning with its pilot Early Thrivers program, THRIVE ON! works to equip young people and grassroots leaders to design, build, and lead the solutions their communities need.