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Giving away $1000 in prize money!

Are you an agent of change? Project Bloom is a unique contest aimed at highlighting creative community change-makers. Learn how you can get involved and win a cash prize!

How are you seeding change?

“Bloom where you are planted.”

– Saint Francis De Sales


ABOUT Project Bloom


What is Project Bloom?

At Hidden Villa, we celebrate the seeds of change that are blooming within our community. Project Bloom is a community service competition designed to inspire and showcase good work happening in our neighborhoods that is aligned with Hidden Villa’s mission to foster educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another.

We encourage you to use your creativity and passion to show how you are addressing a challenge in our community. Through essays, videos, artwork, or other creative means, show us how you are cultivating positive change that inspires a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food and one another.

Join the Project Bloom Community Challenge and let us know how you are seeding change!


The Project Bloom Community Competetion Question:

What specific steps have you taken to make a tangible difference right here at home? How are you seeding change in your community?


WHAT Are the Prizes? 


1st Place:

  • $250
  • Annual Access Pass to Hidden Villa

2nd Place:

  • $150
  • Annual Access Pass to Hidden Villa

3rd Place:

  • $100
  • Annual Access Pass to Hidden Villa

WHO is eligible to participate?


WHAT can you submit?


HOW to submit your entry.


WHEN are submissions due?


WHEN will winners be announced?


WHAT are the elements for success?


Submissions will be considered with the following four elements in mind. We have provided examples to help inspire you. Please use these guiding elements to inspire your success:

How does your project approach solving a specific challenge in your community that different from existing solutions?
How has your project influenced or inspired others in your community? Did you forge any collaborations, partnerships, or recognition as a result of your project?
What specific steps you have taken to implement your project. What actions have you personally undertaken? How did you mobilize resources (time, money, people) to carry out your project?
What measurable impact has your project had on your community? Include data or statistics if available. How has your project improved the lives of individuals or the community as a whole.

MEET our Judges!


The selection process for Project Bloom is designed to ensure fairness and transparency while highlighting standout submissions. All submissions will be judged based on innovation, Influence, Action, and Impact.

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee of Hidden Villa staff, volunteers, and board members. The committee will select the top 20 submissions to be reviewed by our panel of guest judges.

The top 20 submissions will then be forwarded to our esteemed panel of judges, Dick Henning, Sandy Mingia, and Kathy Barry. Learn more about our panel of judges below.

Dick Henning

Henning, a retired vice-president of Foothill College, holds degrees in Speech & Public Relations, Secondary Administration, Counseling & Guidance, and a doctorate in Higher Education & Administration. Starting his career in 1960, he spent 31 years at Foothill College, where he founded the renowned Foothill College Celebrity Forum and the Silicon Valley Business & Leadership Conference. An active community leader, he has served as president of several international organizations and was named “Los Alton of the Year” in 1996.

Sandy Minga

Mingia, a resident of Los Altos Hills, is active in the Rotary Club of Los Altos, where she has twice chaired their major fundraiser, Fine Art in the Park. Now retired from a career in high-tech sales and marketing, she has experience in computer and network sales, managing an international technical training organization, and marketing artificial intelligence. For 14 years, she and her husband shared their expertise by teaching technology to guests and staff aboard luxury cruise ships. 

Kathy Barry

Barry is a retired public Agency Attorney. She served as President of the Los Altos Rotary club in 2020-21 during Covid via zoom. In 2012, she was selected for the LA/LAH Community Volunteer Award. Kathy lives in Los Altos.


WHY You Should Participate?



Get Inspired, Get Involved! Join us in celebrating the seeds of change in our community. We look forward to seeing your creativity and the difference you’re making in your neighborhood.

Let’s bloom together for a brighter future!