Category Archives: Youth

Your Big Year: Global Citizens Challenge

The Global Citizens Challenge from Your Big Year is an opportunity for youth aged 15-20 to engage with other young leaders from around the world. Up to 200 participants will dedicate approximately 10 hours to completing the virtual challenge activities.

Applications for the February 6-9, 2025 Challenge are due by January 15, 2025. Individuals may apply directly or educators, program leaders, organizations and parents can nominate a School or Classroom. There is no cost to participate, but participants must provide their own internet connected device.

Program Activities

Over the course of the program, youth will engage in:

  • Penpal Sessions – video calls to engage with other participants
  • Interactive Activities & Virtual Passports – team based projects
  • Industry Speakers – presentations and panel discussions from travel and tourism industry professionals
  • International Action Hub – brainstorming and collaborative work

Program Values

Applications will be evaluated according to their alignment with Your Big Year values. They are seeking participating who:

  • Are passionate about making a change
  • Are eager to learn about different cultures from peers with diverse backgrounds
  • Have a desire to meet and connect with a variety of people
  • Wish to grow as young professionals through an online experience
  • Aim to grow personally, gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their community
  • Seek to make a meaningful impact in their life and the world

Your Big Year Fellowship

Following the Challenge, participants will have access to the 3 month, self-paced Your Big Year Fellowship. Through the curriculum, youth will learn confidence, innovative thinking, cultural competency, self-reliance, and resiliency, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The program also involves peer collaboration, coaching, and industry mentorship.

Andrew Family Foundation: Junior Board Grants

Andrew Family Foundation Junior Board Grants support youth focused projects in the U.S. in Education, Arts Education, and Sustainable Living.

Letters of Inquiry from eligible applicants are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations who:

  • Have been in operation for at least five years (unless a Board member is familiar with the organization)
  • Have an annual budget of less than $5 million

They prefer to fund project or program specific requests, rather than general operating expenses.

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation provides medical grants to kids in the United States for expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. Applicants may receive up to $5,000 per year and $10,000 over their lifetime.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and reviewed monthly. Families may be reimbursed for expenses incurred up to 90 days before the application is completed. All funds must be expended within one year of the grant approval date.

Eligibility

Eligible children must:

  • Be 16 years old or younger at the time of the application
  • Have a Social Security Number
  • Have primary insurance coverage by a commercial health plan. Medicaid or CHIP may be a secondary, but not primary, provider.
  • Be receiving care, medical services, treatments and/or therapies from  a licensed medical professional in the United States.

The family must not have exceed the following maximum eligible incomes, as documented on their IRS Tax Form 1040:

  • Family of 2 – $65,000 or less
  • Family of 3 – $100,000 or less
  • Family of 4 – $135,000 or less
  • Family of 5 or more – $170,000 or less

Required Documents

All applications must include:

  • Most recently filed IRS Form 1040. If the child is not listed because they were born or adopted in the current year, a copy of the child’s birth certificate and social security card must also be included.
  • An electronic copy of the front and back of the current commercial or private insurance card.
  • A completed and signed Physician Certification of Medical Condition Form
  • Proof of non-coverage, such as a copy of the benefit summary’s exclusions list highlighting no coverage, a denial letter from the insurance company, or an Explanation of Benefits that shows no benefits are available.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Dental and orthodontics, unless they are related to a serious medical condition, such as cleft palate or cancer
  • Drugs not approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Drugs not purchased in the United States
  • Over-the-counter medications or products
  • Vitamins or supplements
  • Medications not filled at a pharmacy or prescribed by a licensed professional
  • Biofeedback/biomedical consultations and Neurofeedback
  • Clinical trials and investigational or experimental treatments
  • Heavy metal toxicity testing or chelation therapy, unless there is a proven medical indication of lead, copper, or iron toxicity
  • Hyperbaric oxygen treatment
  • Herbal testing
  • Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)
  • Listening therapy
  • Vision therapy
  • Hippotherapy or equine therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Play therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • MeRT (Magnetic Resonance Therapy)
  • Social skills therapy
  • Therapy program fees
  • Gas
  • Flights
  • Food
  • Mileage
  • Hotel/motel stays

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

The Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards provides funding to Latinx high school seniors for either post-secondary education or a community service project. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards are granted in nine categories.

Applications for up to $4,000 are due by November 3, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT. Winners will be honored during 10 virtual ceremonies and become part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation network of 200,000 professionals. All applicants will also automatically be entered into the Haz La U program.

Eligibility

This award is open to individuals in the United States and its territories who:

  • Are currently enrolled in high school or an accredited homeschool program and will graduate in Spring 2025 OR
  • Are under 21 and working towards a GED
  • Have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale (If your school does not use either of these scales, you can calculate your GPA with an online calculator)
  • Will be enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education for the 2025-26 school year
  • Has at least one parent (including adoptive parents) who can trace their ancestry to Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, the Spanish speaking Caribbean, or the Philippines

Categories

Applicants may apply in multiple categories.

  • Community Service
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship & Business
  • Green Sustainability
  • Healthcare & Science
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Public Service & Social Justice
  • Technology

Required Documents

All applications must include:

Special Olympics Youth Innovation Grants

Special Olympics Youth Innovation Grants support Youth Leaders from across the globe who are promoting inclusion in their schools and communities. Applications for $500, $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 are due by November 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to Youth Leaders with or without intellectual disabilities who are:

  • 14-25 years old
  • Supported by an accredited Special Olympics Program. Long-standing involvement with the Special Olympics is not required, but applicants must contact their local program before applying.

Project Types

Regional Projects

Regional Projects are unique local programs, which may include:

  • Engaging with other young people to become leaders for inclusion
  • Creating or improving inclusive programming in the community
  • Bringing people with and without intellectual disabilities together to participate in activies such as sports, art, and cooking
  • Creating Unified Schools or University programs

Scaling for Impact

Scaling for Impact projects have been enacted in other communities and may be replicated by new applicants. The seven projects are:

Versacare Foundation Grants

The Versacare Foundation supports programs that fit with their mission and that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Priority is give to organizations working in the geographic regions where the Church has a presence.

They provide funding through three grant programs:

Impact Grants are by invitation only. Interested applicants must submit a Concept Note by October 31st to be considered. If invited, the final application will be due by December 31st. Catalyst and Venture Grant applications are also due by the end of the calendar year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to faith-based organizations and other 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Priority will be given to organizations located or operating in:

  • North America
  • Central America
  • Caribbean Islands
  • Colombia
  • Venezuela
  • Micronesia

Applicants must also have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to the application due date.

Grant Programs

  • Catalyst Grants are intended to give organizations and programs a financial boost when needed. This is also the most appropriate grant for schools.
  • Venture Grants are for financially stable programs with clearly stated goals and objectives as well as mechanisms for objectively assessing results.
  • Impact Grants are for creative programs with a proven track record of success and outside partners.

Project Priorities

Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/children-sitting-on-chairs-in-front-of-table-with-art-materials-8613059/

Versacare is particularly interested in supporting programs that address:

  • Church community engagement
  • Disadvantaged or underserved communities
  • Youth and young adults
  • Women and children’s efforts
  • Social justice
  • Humanitarian efforts
  • Health and wellness
  • General education and science education

Campus Pride Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism

Campus Pride Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism supports on-campus activities in the U.S. to help foster acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Projects must be youth-led, youth-driven, and youth-implemented.

Applications for up to $600 are due by October 15, 2024. In past years, 13-20 grants have been awarded. Projects must be completed within 6 months.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Individuals
  • Student organizations
  • Campuses

Priority Consideration

Priority consideration will be given to projects that:

  • Focus on 18-26 year olds
  • Advocate for LGBTQ awareness, programming, and initiatives that address the intersections of ethnicity, race, class, ability, faith/spirituality, etc.
  • Empower the voices of queer, trans, and nonbinary students, particularly youth of color
  • Stand in solidarity with queer and trans undocumented students and advocate for increased accessibility of higher education
  • Recognize the value and necessity of minority serving institutions (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American Serving Institutions) and support student organizing on these campuses

Submission Video

Applications must include a 1-2 minute video submitted as an mp4 file to info@campuspride.org. Videos should include:

  • Applicant’s name
  • Location
  • A description of the project
  • Expected outcomes
  • Why you’re passionate about this project

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Bookmobile Grant

Newbery Award winning author and illustrator Lois Lenski established The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation in 1967 to assist organizations helping kids develop literacy skills and a love of reading.

The Bookmobile Grant Program awards funds of $500 – $3,000 to groups in the United States that operate bookmobile programs for disadvantaged youth. Applications must be submitted each year by September 1st.

Eligibility

This grant is available to organizations in the United States, including its territories and commonwealths, such as:

  • Schools
  • Public libraries
  • Other 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations

Allowable Expenses

All grant funds are to be spent on fiction or nonfiction books suitable for children in preschool through 8th grade.

Grant funds may not be spent on:

  • Administrative costs
  • Books giveaways
  • Reference books (e.g. dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases)
  • Magazine subscriptions
  • Workbooks or other instructional materials

Application

All applications must be submitted as a hard copy with one photo of the exterior and one of the interior of the bookmobile. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.

Applications should be sent to:

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation

P.O. Box 255366

Sacramento, CA 95865

Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry Grant

Share Our Strength is on a mission to end hunger and poverty through programs like No Kid Hungry. They are the only national campaign dedicated to ending hunger for the millions of American children living with it today.

Interested applicants can submit an Inquiry Form at any time. The average grant is $5,000 – $15,000, but funding varies by state and program area.

Eligibility

This grant is open to school districts and community organizations serving children through federal feeding programs.

Allowable Expenses

No Kid Hungry tries to provide as much flexibility as possible to allow their grantees to best address the issue of childhood hunger. However, grant funds are rarely used to purchase food because it’s provided through federal feeding programs. Grant funds are typically used to purchase equipment such as:

  • Refrigerators
  • Coolers
  • Carts
  • Vehicles
  • Packaging

Funding Priorities

No Kid Hungry recognizes that race is a major factor is childhood hunger. To address this and other inequities, they prioritize:

  • Applicants serving communities with 50% or more of the population identifying as BIPOC
  • Communities where at least 60% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch
  • Communities experiencing economic hardship
  • Communities where members experience intersecting social and environmental inequities. 
  • Community organizations where 50% or more of the board and senior leadership identify as BIPOC

We Serve to Remember Grant

The We Serve to Remember Grant from Youth Service America and AmeriCorps funds projects on or around September 11th that honor those who died in the terrorist attacks and/or those who responded to the tragedy.

Up to 100 grants of $1,000 each will be given to youth-led projects in the United States and its territories. Applications are due by June 23, 2024. ‘

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Schools
  • Afterschool programs
  • Government entitites
  • Individuals aged 5-25

Volunteer Requirements

Projects are required to engage a minimum of 100 volunteers aged 5-25. Individuals outside this age group may participate, but may not be counted toward the 100. Volunteers may include people who serve in a leadership role, help plan the project, and/or work on the project day.

Eighty percent of volunteers (a minimum of 80 individuals) must come from marginalized backgrounds. This may include youth who are:

  • BIPOC
  • From low income families or communities
  • Homeless
  • In foster care
  • In the juvenile justice system
  • Immigrants or refugees
  • LGBTQ+
  • English language learners

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Project supplies
  • Local transportation for volunteers
  • Postage and printing
  • Food, drinks, and swag for volunteers (not to exceed 40% of total grant amount)

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Food or supplies to be donated
  • Expensive, one time use equipment
  • Salaries and stipends
  • General operating expenses