For Awesome Pittsburgh grant winner, Teetotal Initiative, the proof is in the mocktail. 

The nonprofit was officially founded in 2023 to support individuals sustaining sobriety and recovery through free, high-quality events that reduce isolation, boredom and loneliness—some of the most common causes of relapse. Co-founders Scott Page and Jackie Slaugenhaupt, who met in an outpatient support program 5 years ago, conceived of the idea because they were both frustrated by how hard it was to meet other people in recovery and find things to do that didn’t revolve around substances. Page now serves as the Executive Director, and events include everything from cooking classes and creative arts to sober comedy nights and holistic workshops.

Awesome Pittsburgh awarded Teetotal Initiative a grant in June 2025 for their application “The One with the Ice and Cups,” a playful reference to a Friends episode. Teetotal Initiative was holding its first major fundraiser and Pittsburgh’s first-ever zero-proof cocktail competition called “The Mocktail Mixer,” and they needed help with two critical elements: cups and ice! The Awesome Pittsburgh microgrant helped them cover these essentials.

“Winning the Awesome Pittsburgh grant enabled us to successfully engage 24 of Pittsburgh’s top restaurants as in-kind partners for our July 2025 Mocktail Mixer fundraising event and strengthened critical relationships within the hospitality community for future partnerships,” said Slaugenhaupt. She continued that the support not only allowed them to deliver a professional experience and raise meaningful funds, but also solidified Teetotal Initiative’s reputation as a credible, fast-growing community partner. “Because of this $1000 grant, we were able to properly support these industry professionals who generously contributed their time, expertise, and ingredients to create signature mocktails, compete for the ‘Best Mocktail in the ’Burgh’ awards, and showcase their businesses to our attendees. Their experience was so positive that many have already expressed interest in partnering with us again.”

Before Slaugenhaupt hit the submit button on their application, she said she was able to attend an Awesome Pittsburgh “Meet the Team” event. “Attending the event at Trace Brewing was incredibly valuable,” she said. “I initially went simply to better understand Awesome Pittsburgh’s funding priorities and to build authentic in-person connections with Trustees, which is especially important for Teetotal Initiative as an innovative early-stage nonprofit.”

Meet the Teetotal Initiative team at our New-Fashioned Funder event on October 27th. Enjoy a mocktail and learn more about their grant journey. Free tickets available on EVENTBRITE.