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Youth-Led Initiatives

Awards for Youth Philanthropy
The Association of Fundraising Professionals is accepting nominations for the William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy. The award honors a young person or group of young people who help their community by volunteering, creating charitable programs, or serving as leaders in philanthropy. Applications are due July 15. For more information, visit
www.afpnet.org/national_philanthropy_day_and_afp_awards/afps_awards_program

Mix It Up Grants (rolling)
The Southern Poverty Law Center is sponsoring the Mix It Up Grants program, which provides $500 for youth-directed activist projects that identify, cross and challenge social boundaries in schools and communities.  There is no application deadline.  For more information, visit http://www.tolerance.org/teens/grants.jsp.

USDA Rural Youth Development (May 21)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of Rural Youth Development Grants. The overall goal of the program is to provide opportunities for rural youth to improve their own lives and the communities in which they live. The grants are intended to breakdown barriers to participation, especially for rural youth; enhance opportunities for youth involvement in policy and decision-making; create safe and inviting environments for youth activities; and improve access to information and technology. The application deadline is May 21, 2007. For more information, visit the Department of Agriculture or call (202) 401-5048.

World of Children Awards Program (May 4)
[posted from RFP Bulletin]
The World of Children Awards were established to honor individuals or a group of individuals who devote their lives to children. In order to identify such individuals, World of Children annually announces a call for nominations for three award categories -- the World of Children Health Award, the World of Children Humanitarian Award, and the Founder's Award. The WOC Health Award is for those providing services specifically in the fields of health, medicine, and pediatric sciences. The Humanitarian Award is specifically for education and social and humanitarian services. The Founder's Award is specifically for a young person under the age of 21 who has provided exceptional services/support to other children. In November 2007, World of Children will gather the selected honorees together in New York City for an award ceremony and presentation of the two separate $50,000 awards and two $15,000 Founder's Awards. Honorees are expected to participate in all related events during this time. Travel and accommodations expenses associated with this participation will be arranged and paid for by World of Children. While the awards are not granted to organizations, the stipends must go to a sustainable organization. Awards are not given posthumously, and self-nominations are welcome. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006438/worldofchildren

PeaceChild International Grants for youth-led community projects (Mar 31)
Purpose: Supports young people under 25 years of age with small grants to get involved in local community action and development projects.
Eligibility: Projects must be genuinely youth-led with 2 experienced and committed adult mentors, and benefit the community rather than an individual need.
Benefit: $500 - $1,000
Deadline: March 31 2007
Application: http://www.comminit.com/funding2007/grants2007/funding-101.html

Tu Voz My Venture Contest for Latino youth (Jun 29)
[posted from RFP Bulletin]
In partnership with Youth Venture and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, MTV Tr3s Voces will award grants of up to $1,000 each to groups of young Latinos that have new and creative ideas for after-school programs, organizations, clubs, or other ventures that encourage and help Latino youth graduate high school and prepare for college. The contest challenges young individuals to take action by forming a team comprised of two or more individuals to conceptualize and implement a project aimed at encouraging Latinos to graduate from high school. The contest will award grants of up to $1,000 each applicable toward the development and implementation of team projects. Venturas grants will be offered every week until June 29, 2007. In addition, the contest will present a scholarship award of up to $5,000 to each of the top five teams with the most successful projects, as judged by the sponsors (each scholarship award is to be evenly split among team members).
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10005992/youthventure

SAGE-Youth Venture Grants (ongoing)
Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship and Youth Venture offer Social Enterprise grants for young people, ages 12-20. A venture can be any youth-created, youth-led organization designed to provide a positive lasting benefit in a school, neighborhood, or community. Contact Curtis DeBerg at CDeBerg@csuchico.edu or visit http://www.csuchico.edu/sage/2006-2007/about/our_partners/youth_venture.html

Red, White, and Green Climate Change Grant (Mar 9)
Youth Service America and the Civil Society Institute are excited to announce the second round of the Red, White & Green Climate Change Grant. This opportunity offers $500 to young people in the United States between the ages of 15-25 and to organizations that engage youth ages 15-25. Applicants are expected to develop and implement a service-learning project about climate change that engages their community, policy-makers and candidates running for election in 2007 and 2008. We welcome projects where youth work in partnership with adults (parents, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc.): but the projects should be youth-led, and must take place between May 1 and October 31, 2007. Selected grantees will share the outcomes and next steps of their service projects with each other and with climate change experts. They will also present their recommendations to high-level policy-makers. Please visit http://www.redwhiteandgreen.org to learn more about this initiative. Applicants can download application materials at http://www.YSA.org/awards.

YSA Youth Venture Grants (Feb 26)
YSA Youth Venture helps make every day National & Global Youth Service Day (April 20-22, 2007) by providing funding and support to who want to create new, sustainable, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses called Ventures.  Application Submission Deadline is February 26th, 2007 by 5:00pm EST. Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth Venture teams are required to plan a N&GYSD project every year that their Venture is operational. The YSA Youth Venture Program provides a variety of resources including: a national network of like-minded young people, media opportunities, technical support, helpful toolkits and workshops as well as seed money funding of up to $1,000 for start-up expenses. For an application, applications tools and more information about the YSA Youth Venture Partnership Program, please visit www.youthventure.org/ysa.

Pay It Forward Mini-Grants (Apr 15)
For one-time youth-identified service projects that benefit their schools, neighborhoods or greater communities. Projects must based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with ever-expanding results. Funder: Pay It Forward Foundation. Eligibility: Schools, churches and community youth groups (with an adult sponsor). Youths or adults may write the application. Deadline: April 15, Oct. 15 and Jan. 15 of each year. Amount: $500. Contact: http://payitforwardfoundation.org/educators/grant.html

Hitachi Foundation Yoshiyama Award Honoring Youth Community Service (April 2)
The Hitachi Foundation presents the Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community each year to ten high school seniors from around the United States on the basis of their community-service activities. The award is accompanied by a gift of $5,000, dispensed over two years. Recipients may use the award at their discretion. The program is not a scholarship program. Visit the Hitachi Foundation Web site for complete program information, an FAQ, and to download a nomination form.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10005728/hitachifoundation

YSA Youth Venture Funding Available (Dec 18)
The Youth Service America/Youth Venture Program is a unique partnership between Youth Service America and Youth Venture that helps youth engage in community service and develop as young social entrepreneurs. YSA Youth Venture helps make every day National & Global Youth Service Day (N & GYSD) by providing funding and support to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create new, sustainable, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses called Ventures. Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth Venture teams are required to plan a N&GYSD project every year that their Venture is operational. The YSA Youth Venture Program provides a variety of resources including: a national network of like-minded young people, media opportunities, technical support, helpful toolkits and workshops as well as seed money funding of up to $1,000 for start-up expenses. Applications are available at http///ga1.org/ct/N7wO-Kd1uuCG/YOUTHVENTURE-ORG-YSA.
Deadline: December 18, 5:00pmEST.

Youth Leaders for Literacy (Nov 24)
Helps youth plan and implement reading-related service projects that begin on Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminate on National & Global
Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007.
Amount: 20 grants of $500 each.
www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/index.html

JPMorgan's Good Venture Competition (Nov 27)
What: Good Venture offers your students the chance to make a difference. Students choose a nonprofit they believe in -- and enter a proposal to win funding for it from JPMorgan. How: Teams of students will be asked to make the case for a non-profit of their choice. Finalists will pitch to an investment board of JPMorgan executives and the winning team will actually have their proposal funded. Where: Finals will be held in New York City.
When: January 18th – 19th 2007
Registration ends November 27th, 2006
More details about the competition can be found at http://goodventure.org or contact JPMorganUndergrad@goodventure.org
 
ThinkQuest International 2007 (Apr 16)
The Oracle Education Foundation announces the opening of ThinkQuest International 2007, inviting students and teachers from around the globe to take part in collaborative learning. Students between the ages of 9 and 19 and their teacher-coaches from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply. The program promotes collaboration and cross-cultural learning by encouraging students to team with peers in other regions to develop Web sites on educational topics. Awards include laptops and $1,000 school grants for the top ten teams in each age division, travel to the annual ThinkQuest Live event for the top three teams in each division, and digital cameras for the team that receives the Global Perspectives Award. Application materials available at http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004128/thinkquest  
Questions? Email: thinkquest_ww@oracle.com.

Nestle's Very Best in Youth competition (Nov 1)
HELPING young people be the very best they can be is the cornerstone of Nestlé’s educational programs. The Nestlé Very Best in Youth program puts the spotlight on young people age 10–18 who have not only excelled academically, but who are making their communities and the world better places. Encourage your students to reach their dreams, make a difference, and enter to become America’s Very Best in Youth! Winners receive:
Profile in the Nestlé Very Best in Youth book published in the summer of 2007
$1,000 donation in their name to the charity of their choice
Round trip airfare and hotel accommodations for five days and four nights for the winner and a parent, plus spending allowance for gala attire, to attend the Nestlé Very Best in Youth awards ceremony in Los Angeles
Application: http://www.nestle-VeryBestinYouth.com

YouthRaising Grants (US APPLICANTS ONLY)
YSA and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention are pleased to announce the launch of the YouthRising grant program. This opportunity offers up to $2,000 for organizations to engage high risk and/or gang-involved youth in volunteer service. Eligible organizations must have documented success in prevention/intervention work with high risk and/or gang-involved youth. The grant will support projects that engage high-risk and/or gang-involved youth (ages 12-25) in service to their communities. We seek projects that are co-led by youth and adult allies such as parents, counselors, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc. A significant portion of the project must take place on National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Application materials are available at www.YSA.org/awards. Questions? Email youthrising@ysa.org. Receipt Deadline: October 12, 2006.

The Bubel/Aiken Foundation Grants
The Bubel/Aiken Foundation and YSA are pleased to announce grants of up to $1,000 to support youth-led service projects in which youth with and without disabilities serve their communities together. These grants support youth (ages 5-25), teachers, youth-leaders, youth-serving organizations, or organizations that serve people with disabilities in implementing service projects for National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Projects can address themes such as the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, and literacy, or other youth-identified community needs. To learn more, download grant application and guidelines at www.YSA.org/awards.
Questions? Email abletoserve@ysa.org
Receipt Deadline: November 30, 2006

State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grants
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board plans to fund $5 million in service-learning projects, with grants of $25,000 to $100,000 each. The Request for Proposals focuses on 4 project areas:
Disaster Preparedness
Driver Safety
Financial Education
Access to Higher Education
The deadline for submissions is November 15. The RFPs can be viewed at http://www.statefarmyab.com/

Grants for Problem Solving in Communities (Feb 12)
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation invites teams of up to four middle school youth and a coach to identify a community issue and use the scientific process to solve it.  Teams of finalists earn a trip to Walt Disney World and the opportunity to compete for a $25,000 U.S. savings bond to be used to implement the idea in their community.  Youth finalists will learn about the science and technology behind Walt Disney World.  The deadline is February 12, 2007.  For further information, visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com.

Be A Youth Leader For Literacy 
Grants Available For Student-Led Projects
Youth Leaders for Literacy is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Service America (YSA) to help youth plan and implement reading-related service projects.  NEA will award 20 grants of $500 each to support literacy projects that begin on NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminate on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007.  During these seven weeks and beyond, youth will create a groundswell of literacy service in communities across the country.  Applicants must be ages 21 or younger, and can be either individuals or groups.  Applications must be postmarked by November 24, 2006.   For more information, visit http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/index.html.

Youth Service America to Recognize Youth, Organizations and Media Outlets That Promote Service Learning (Oct 19)
Youth Service America will administer the 2007 Harris Wofford Awards, which are sponsored by the State Farm Companies Foundation. The awards recognize extraordinary achievements in three categories: Youth (ages 12-25), Organization (nonprofit, corporate, foundation), and Media (organization or individual)  for actively contributing toward "making service and service-learning the common expectation and common experience of every young person." Award Finalists will be honored and presented with an award of recognition at the 18th Annual National Service-Learning Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The recipient in the Youth category will receive a $500 award for him/herself and a $500 award for the nonprofit organization of his/her choice. Travel arrangements, including airfare and accommodation, will be provided for each award recipient. One award winner will be chosen in each of the three categories. Self-nominations are permitted. Visit the YSA Web site for complete program information and nomination forms.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004333/ysa

The 2007 BRICK Awards - "The Oscars of youth service awards"--CNN
The BRICK Awards are the premier awards for young social change-makers in the United States and Canada. BRICK Award winners are social change-makers who recognize a problem in their community, envision a solution, and take the steps necessary to make that dream a reality. Simply, BRICK Award winners build a better world, BRICK by BRICK. BRICK Award winners get a shot at US$25,000 in scholarships and grants to support their projects and organizations. Even cooler, this year’s ceremony will be televised and streamed on Yahoo! The BRICK Awards are open to U.S. and Canadian leaders ages 25 and under.
Apply online at www.dosomething.org/brick
APPLICATIONS DUE: Dec 1, 2006

Oracle Education Foundation Invites Students and Teachers to Take Part in ThinkQuest International (April 16, 2007)
The Oracle Education Foundation has announced the opening of a new ThinkQuest competition, ThinkQuest International 2007, and invites students and teachers from around the globe to take part in this collaborative learning experience.The educational contest is open to students between the ages of 9 and 19 and their teacher-coaches from anywhere in the world.  The program promotes collaboration and cross-cultural learning by encouraging students to team with peers in other regions to develop Web sites on educational topics. In the process of creating their site, students learn and practice their skills in research, writing, technology, and teamwork. Additionally, the competing teams have the opportunity to create Web sites that can be used as educational resources by students worldwide as part of the ThinkQuest Library, available online at: http://www.thinkquest.org/library. All submitted Web sites for ThinkQuest International 2007 will be judged by professional educators.Winners will receive prizes from the Oracle Education Foundation, including laptops and $1,000 school grants for the top ten teams in each age division, travel to the annual ThinkQuest Live event for the top three teams in each division, and digital cameras for the team that receives the Global Perspectives Award.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10004128/thinkquest

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards (Oct 31)
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. The program was created in 1995 and is sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle level and one high school Local Honoree for every 1,000 students (or portion thereof). Local Honorees are judged at the state level, with 102 State Honorees from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia to be named in February 2007. Each State Honoree will receive $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., (May 5-8, 2007) with a parent or guardian. While in Washington, ten National Honorees will be chosen. Each of the ten National Honorees receives an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, and a crystal trophy for his or her school. Student applications are due back to schools or organizations by October 31, 2006. Visit the NASSP Web site for complete program information and an application form.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10003811/principals

YouthRising grant program (Oct 12)
Youth Service America and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention are pleased to announce the launch of the YouthRising grant program. This opportunity offers $2,000 for organizations to engage high risk and/or gang-involved youth in volunteer service. Eligible organizations must have documented success in prevention/intervention work with high risk and/or gang-involved youth. The grant will support projects that engage high-risk and/or gang-involved youth (ages 12-25) in service to their communities. We seek projects that are co-led by youth and adult allies such as parents, counselors, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc. A significant portion of the project must take place on National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Application materials are available at http://www.YSA.org/awards.
Deadline is 5pm EST on October 12, 2006.

Mix It Up Youth Grants (ongoing)
Have a great idea about how to challenge social boundaries and bring down the walls that divide your school? We want to help, and, to prove it, we give $500 grants to support youth-directed programs and projects that address social boundaries in schools or communities. (Keep in mind: we can't give you one for hosting a Mix It Up at Lunch Day.) Our guidelines are simple:
1. Youth must serve as decision-makers in the project. Ideally, the project is created and implemented by youth.
2. Projects must promote collaboration across social boundaries — different youth groups, clubs or community groups working together.
3. The project or program should be a part of an ongoing effort, or an effort that's just getting started, but will continue.
4. Grants are non-renewable.
Be creative. We're definitely open to new ideas! http://www.tolerance.org/teens/grants.jsp

Open Meadows Foundation: Funding for Projects Benefiting Women and Girls (Aug 15)
[posted from RFP Bulletin]
The Open Meadows Foundation is a grantmaking organization for projects that are led by and benefit women and girls. The foundation offers grants up to $2,000 to projects that are designed and implemented by women and girls; reflect the diversity of the community served by the project in both its leadership and organization; promote building community power; promote racial, social, economic, and environmental justice; and have limited financial access or have encountered obstacles in their search for funding. Organizational budgets should not exceed $150,000. Small and start-up organizations are strongly encouraged to apply. Proposals not previously funded have priority. In addition to its general fund, Open Meadows has six special funds that are targeted to specific groups and/or for specific activities. All requests must be made through 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or institutions. The Jeanne Meurer Indigenous Women's Fund awards grants to projects related to issues concerning indigenous women. The Ellen Dougherty Activist Fund for Young Women awards grants to young women 19 and under who propose to develop and lead projects that are focused on activism and social change. The Edie Windsor Fund for Old Lesbians is for projects supporting and developed by lesbians age 60 and older. The India Fund supports projects in India developed and administered principally by women. The fund focuses on projects concerned with the rights of women and their health, education, and economic development. The PatsyLu Fund for Women's Music Projects will consider women in music projects from women who are composers, music educators, musicologists, or performers (or in performing groups). The mission of the fund is to seek out women's music projects from women of ethnic, cultural, and racial d! iversity and especially the work of lesbians. The Susan F. Eastman Fund for Environmental Activism seeks projects whose principle belief is in the right to a clean, healthy, and environmentally sustainable future. The fund invites applications from organizations committed to environmental issues and grassroots activism. The fund is looking for organizations that try to empower local women by organizing at the community level, standing unified to hold industry and government accountable for their actions against the environment. Visit the foundation's Web site for complete program information and application instructions.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10002942/openmeadows

NetAid Seeking Applications for Global Action Awards (Nov 30)
The NetAid Global Action Awards honor high school students in the United States who have organized and led a project that has impacted people in poor countries or raised awareness about global poverty in their own communities.
The awards celebrate young people who have shown leadership in areas such as preventing HIV/AIDS, alleviating hunger, and improving access to education. Honorees are awarded $5,000 for college or a charitable cause of their choice. See the NetAid Web site for complete program guidelines, an FAQ, and information on previous award winners.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10003050/netaid

Red, White, and Green Climate Change Grant (Sept 1)
Youth Service America and the Civil Society Institute are excited to announce the Red, White, and Green Climate Change Grant. This opportunity offers $500 to youth between the ages of 15-25 or to organizations that serve engage youth ages 15-25.  Successful applicants will design a service-learning project that promotes awareness about climate change and possible solutions. Applicants will be expected to develop and implement a service project about climate change that engages their community and candidates running for election in November 2006. Projects should be youth-led, and the service must take place between October 1 and November 30, 2006. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than Thursday, September 1, 2006. Application materials are available online at www.YSA.org.  Please download and review both the application and application guidelines. Email redwhiteandgreen@ysa.org  if you have questions after reviewing the materials.

Youth Service America Announces Literacy Grant Opportunity for Young People (June 9)
Youth Service America and Lionsgate have announced the "Bee" the Change Community Service Grant for literacy. This grant opportunity offers $1,000 to one young person to implement a sustainable community service project that increases literacy in his or her community and uses the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" as inspiration. The "Bee" the Change Community Service Grant is open to all young people in the United States between the ages of 5 and 25. Visit the YSA Web site for complete grant guidelines.
RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10002207/ysa

Project Ignition (Apr 30)
Project Ignition is a chance for high school students, teachers, and community-program leaders to implement new, creative service-learning projects promoting teen driver safety. Teams will create awareness campaigns using their choice of media. The possibilities are as far-ranging as the imagination. Up to 25 applicants will be selected by mid-May to move into the next phase of the project. Each applicant selected will receive a grant check at the beginning of the fall semester for $2,000 from State Farm to help put their plan into action. Final projects must be complete and ready for final judging in December 2006. Application deadline is April 30. Visit: http://www.sfprojectignition.com for application and detailed information.

Brower Youth Awards (April 16)
The Brower Youth Awards, an annual national award that recognizes six young people for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy.  The winners of the award receive $3000 in cash, a trip to California for the award ceremony and Yosemite camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.To apply contact: Jason Salfi, Earth Island Institute, 415-788-3666 x 144, jasonsalfi@earthisland.org

YouthActionNet Awards (Apr 15)
[posted from RFP Bulletin] 
YouthActionNet will present awards to youth leaders and emerging projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities. The YouthActionNet Awards are supported by Make a Connection, a global initiative of the International Youth Foundation and Nokia. Award recipients will receive $500 and are eligible to participate in an international capacity-building workshop. The program is open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 29. Individuals applying must have a leadership role in a youth-led initiative that works to create positive change in their community, and applications must be written in English. Visit the YouthActionNet Web site for complete program guidelines, application procedures, and information on previous award winners.
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000424/youthactionnet

Youth Community Service Awards (Apr 1)
[posted from RFP Bulletin]  
The Hitachi Foundation (http://www.hitachifoundation.org) presents the Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community each year to ten high school seniors from around the United States on the basis of their community-service activities. The award is accompanied by a gift of $5,000, dispensed over two years. Recipients may use the award at their discretion.Students must be nominated for the award. Self-nominations and nominations from family members are automatically disqualified.
RFP Link: http://www.hitachifoundation.org/yoshiyama/index.html

Young Community Volunteers for Kohl's Kids Who Care Program (March 15)
A philanthropic program of the Kohl's Corporation (http://www.kohlscorporation.com/), the Kohl's Kids Who Care program provides Kohl's an annual opportunity to recognize and reward young volunteers who transform their communities for the better. Nominators will be asked to describe a young community volunteer's actions in detail and document efforts that
are above and beyond what is normally expected. The volunteer's efforts should have resulted in a positive community outcome and must have occurred within the last twelve months. (Note: The volunteer activity cannot be performed to benefit a family member.) Each region will have one winner from each age group (for a total of 148 winners). Each Regional winner will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward his or her post-secondary education. Visit the Kohl's Web site to download the awards program brochure.
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000783/kohlscor

Katrina's Kids Community Service Grants Program (March 3)
America's Promise (http://www.americaspromise.org/) and Youth Service America (http://www.ysa.org/) have announced the Katrina's Kids Community Service Grants for hurricane relief. The program will offer seventeen grants of $1,000 to young people who wish to implement hurricane-relief projects.The Katrina's Kids Community Service Grant is open to all U.S. citizens between the ages of 5 and 25. Applicants will be expected to develop and implement a sustainable relief project that supports hurricane-relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region. The program welcomes projects in which children and youth work in partnership with adults (parents, coaches, teachers, youth leaders, etc.); however, projects should be youth-led and created, and must take place on National and Global Youth Service Day (April 21-23, 2006) (http://www.ysa.org/nysd/).The application form and an FAQ are available at the YSA Web site.
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10000704/ysa

International Essay Competition 2006 for youth 18-25 (April 1)
In order to learn from youth how they can make a difference in reducing
poverty, the World Bank is launching the International Essay
Competition 2006. The World Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 25.  Essays should be submitted by individuals. The winner(s) will present their work to the audience of the ABCDE 2006 conference in Tokyo, Japan, followed by an award ceremony on May 30, 2006. Awards include a grand prize of $5,000 and runner-up prizes of $1,000.
http://www.essaycompetition.org/

Build-A-Bear Workshop to Honor Young People for Community Service (Feb 14)
Build-A-Bear Workshop  (http://www.buildabear.com/) seeks nominations of young people who have made a difference to the life of their communities to be named 2006 Huggable Heroes. Nominations will be accepted of young people who are 18 years of age or younger and are legal residents of the United States and Canada. Twelve young people will be selected and recognized as 2006 Huggable Heroes. Each of the twelve honorees will be rewarded with a $2,500 donation to help further their cause along with a trip to Los Angeles, where they will be recognized for their achievements. Nominees may perform their community service as an individual working within a group or on an individual
basis. Self-nominations will be accepted. Nomination guidelines and forms are available at the company's Web site. http://www.buildabear.com/

InvenTeams grant for community problem solving invention (May 1)
InvenTeams is the Lemelson-MIT Program's national initiative to foster inventiveness among high school students. Teams, composed of students, teacher(s) and mentors, identify a problem in their community to address with an invention.  
Maximum award: $10,000 ($2,000 can be a teacher stipend) 
http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/

International Young Eco-Hero Award (Feb 28)
Action For Nature seeks applications from 8 to 16 year olds worldwide for its 2006 International Young Eco-Hero Awards Program. The award recognizes the individual accomplishments of young people who have carried out environmental action projects which concern environmental action, advocacy, environmental health, or protection of the natural world. Cash prizes up to $500 will be awarded. Applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2006. To print out award flyers, for guidelines, an application form, or to find out about winners for the last three years, click or copy and paste:
http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ecoheroawards.html

Tolerance.org Mix-it-Up Grant Program
http://www.tolerance.org/teens/grants.jsp
Deadline: open
We want to help you to keep crossing the boundaries. And to prove it, we give $500 grants to support youth-directed programs and projects that address social boundaries in schools or communities. Youth must serve as decision-makers in the project. Ideally, the project is created and implemented by youth. Projects must promote collaboration across social boundaries — different youth groups, clubs or community groups working together. The project or program should be a part of an ongoing effort, or an effort that's just getting started, but will continue. Grants are non-renewable.

Christopher Columbus Awards
http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com
Deadline: Feb. 13, 2006
Grants are available for teams of up to four middle school students and a coach to identify a community issue and use the scientific process to solve it. Grants are $25,000 and all-expense-paid trips to Disney World and U.S. Savings Bonds.

The Making the Business: Youth IT Challenge (rolling deadline)
 The Youth IT Challenge designed to engage minority high school students in the development of an original business idea, which leverages technology as its base. The program teaches students about entrepreneurship, the fundamentals of writing a business plan and the importance of technology, in starting, growing and sustaining a business. We are looking for all high school students living in the Philadelphia Metro area, between the ages of 14-18, with a 2.5 or higher GPA, who are interested in honing their technological and entrepreneurial skills. We would love to see your students participate in this exciting program and hopefully go on to represent Philadelphia at the 2006 National Business Plan Competition in Atlanta, GA. For further questions, please contact David Bounds, Urban League Programs Manager, at 215-561-6070, ext. 208 or via email at dbounds@urbanleaguephila.org.

Box Tops for Education Kids Caucus for Education
This event will be an assembly of children, parents, education officials, and members of Congress who will meet to discuss solutions to improving parental involvement in education in the United States. The Kids' Caucus, to be held on Capitol Hill in April 2006, will provide an opportunity for those who deal with parental involvement in education every day -- parents, teachers and children -- to offer practical insight to education officials into how parental involvement in education can be improved. In conjunction, students are invited to submit an essay to receive a grant and compete for inclusion in the caucus. Maximum Award: $1000.
Eligibility: Students grade 5-8.
Deadline: December 1, 2005.
http://www.boxtops4education.com/

Hope Venture Grants
MTV and Youth Venture are offering Hope Venture Grants of up to $1,000 to support young people who want to launch a venture -- an organization, club, or business -- that will aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. First priority will be given to proposals that support the creation of sustainable ventures that aid the citizens and communities who have lost so much from this disaster. Hope Venture Grants will be offered every week, through February 2006, to groups of two or more young people (ages 13-20) with the most compelling venture ideas to assist the people and communities affected.
Before applying, read the official rules at:
http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/take_action/
disaster_relief/hope_venture_rules.pdf
View and print the application by visiting:
http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/take_action
/disaster_relief/hope_venture_application.doc
For tips and tools on starting your venture visit Youth Venture http://www.youthventure.org

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in middle level and high school grades for outstanding volunteer service to their communities. Created in 1995 by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the awards constitute the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteering. Over the past ten years, the program has honored more than 60,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.
http://www.prudential.com/overview2/0,2155,intPageID%25
3D8983%2526blnPrinterFriendly%253D0,00.html

Project Ignition
Youth grant opportunity for the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Conference in Philadelphia. details >>

President's Environmental Youth Awards Program (Oct. 31)
The Environmental Protection Agency has sponsored the President's Environmental Youth Awards since 1971. The program recognizes young people for projects which demonstrate their commitment to the environment.  Projects submitted in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas including recycling programs; constructing nature preserves; major tree planting programs; videos, skits, and newsletters that focused on environmental issues; and environmental science projects. To be eligible, a student or students, sponsored by an adult, must submit to their local EPA regional office evidence of a completed project as defined in the President's Environmental Youth.  The deadline is October 31, 2005.  For additional information, contact http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/5000084/epa. Also for additional RFPs in environment, check
http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtml

Youth Leaders for Literacy Grants (Nov 21)
Youth Leaders for Literacy is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Service America (YSA) to help youth direct their enthusiasm and creativity into reading-related service projects. The National Education Association will award 20 grants of $500 each to student-led initiatives. Grant applications should propose youth leadership in developing and implementing a literacy project that begins on NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2, 2006 and culminates on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 21-23.
To be eligible for grant funds, applicants must include a scheduled activity (read aloud session, trip to the library, book-making, etc.) each week of the project period as part of the proposed service project. Applicants ages 21 and younger are eligible to apply as individuals or as groups. Grant applications must be postmarked by November 21, 2005.
For more information or to download an application, visit  http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/youthleaders.html
 
Youth Action Net Award
(open to US and International applicants)
 YouthActionNet is now giving awards to youth leaders and their emerging projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities. These youth-led projects should have clearly defined goals and have potential for growth or further replication. Final selections are made following a peer review process in which previous award winners select the next round of awardees. Award recipients will receive US$500 and are eligible to participate in an international capacity-building workshop. For more information, visit http://www.youthactionnet.org/yan_awards
 
Stand And Deliver: Agent of Change (Dec. 15)
Author Yvonne Bynoe, in association with Soft Skull Press, announces the creation of the Stand and Deliver: Agent of Change grant. A $500 grant will be awarded in April 2006 to an outstanding community-based or college activist. The application deadline is December 15, 2005. Application requirements can be obtained at http://www.yvonnebynoe.com

Labels for Education
Campbells, Inc. Labels for Education Program gives schools free educational equipment in exchange for labels from Campbell products. Maximum Award: N/A. Eligibility: Schools or parents coordinate label drives to raise resources for schools. Deadline: N/A.
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/about_lfe.asp

Do Something Youth Grants
Young people have the energy, creativity, and motivation to rock the world. Do Something is telling them that they really can make a difference, and they're putting our money where our mouth is to prove it. Each fall and each spring, Do Something gives grants of $500 each to 10 young people who submit creative proposals for solving local problems. Members of Do Something's Youth Advisory Council evaluate the proposals and award grants to the most deserving projects in three areas: community building, health, and the environment. You must be 18 years old or younger on October 21, 2005 to receive a Fall 2005 Do Something grant.
Deadlines for Applications: September 2, 2005
http://www.dosomething.org/awards/grants/
?PHPSESSID=59c866e4aeb82f2719c4ae61aedf0721

Do Something BRICK Awards (Nov 1)
The Do Something BRICK Awards honors 6 outstanding youth leaders who develop projects to improve their community. Maximum Award: $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant. Eligibility: Students age 18 and under.
Deadline: November 1, 2005
http://www.dosomething.org/awards/brick/index.php

Colin Higgins Foundation
[posted from RFP Bulletin]
The Colin Higgins Foundation (http://www.colinhiggins.org/) supports a wide variety of causes that further HIV/AIDS prevention, education, care, and harm reduction; and that foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender empowerment. The foundation also emphasizes reaching geographically and demographically underserved communities, including rural and reservation communities, communities of color, transgender communities, and low-income communities. As part of this mission, the foundation established the Colin Higgins Courage Awards in 2000 to honor individuals who "have endured overwhelming hostility and hate, yet have handled themselves with the utmost grace," thereby helping to educate and enlighten others about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender experience. The foundation presents the awards to individuals who are either lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning youth (up to age 24) who have bravely stood up to hostility and intolerance based on their sexual orientation and triumphed over bigotry; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer adults who have had a strong impact on the lives of LGBTQQ youth or the overall LGBTQ movement; or allies of any age working to end homophobia and discrimination against LGBTQ communities.
Deadline: July 15, 2005
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/2276/courage

Pay It Forward Foundation -- Mini-Grant Project
The Pay It Forward Foundation administers a mini-grant program
for "pay it forward" activities involving youth of all ages. A Pay It
Forward project is defined as one or more service activities that benefit
youths' school, neighborhood, or greater community, and include learning
goals for the youth participants. Applicants are encouraged to plan the
project with input from the clients or organization that will benefit in
order to ensure that the project is needed and timely. Mini-grants between $50 and $500 are available.
Deadlines: October 15, January 15, and April 15
Link: http://payitforwardfoundation.org/educators/grant.html

MTV Youth Venture
MTV and Youth Venture are teaming up to offer up to $1,000 each week to young people who are making a difference by creating and leading their own ongoing organizations, clubs or businesses that address a need in their community. Think Ventures must focus on one of the following issue areas: Discrimination, Education, Environment, Global Issues, Sexual Health
http://www.youthventure.org/index.php?tg=articles&idx=
More&article=1276&topics=368

CRF Encourages Service-Learning Efforts with Mini-Grants
Robinson Mini-Grant http://www.crf-usa.org/network/crf_robin.html projects are chosen because they address problems and needs arising within the broader issues of poverty, hunger, environment, mentoring children and youth, crime and safety issues, and aging. With the aid of the mini-grants, students develop problem-solving and citizenship skills that will help them become effective citizens in a democratic society while they give to their community.
For more information, visit the web site http://www.crf-usa.org/network/crf_robin.html.

David-Putter Scholarships for Student Activists
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund has applications available for student activists who are building the progressive movement and will be enrolled in school during the 2005-06 academic year. The following should answer the most basic questions about the Fund, our scholarships, and the students we support. If you know of student activists who may be interested, or have a list of peace and justice contacts, please send this announcement to them and refer applicants to the Fund's website: http://www.davisputter.org.

Brower Youth Awards: Call for Entries
An annual national award that recognizes six young people for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy.  The winners of the award receive $3000 in cash, a trip to California for the award ceremony and Yosemite camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.
Completed Application must be postmarked or e-mailed by June 1, 2005.          More info at http://www.earthisland.org/bya/byaHowToApply.html

Presidential Freedom Scholarships
We are excited to announce the availability of Presidential Freedom Scholarships.  This is a terrific way to recognize high school students for their outstanding service.  Every high school in the nation can nominate two juniors or seniors for this prestigious $1,000 scholarship.  Information is at http://www.nationalservice.gov/scholarships/.

$1,000 Presidential Freedom Scholarships
Washington D.C. - Two students from every high
school in the country are eligible to receive $1,000 Presidential
Freedom Scholarships in recognition of their outstanding service to the
community, the Corporation for National and Community Service announced
today.
The final postmark deadline is July 1, 2005.
Information and certification forms are available at
http://www.nationalservice.gov/scholarships/.

Youth Action Net Offers Grants to Promote Social Change
YouthActionNet is awarding $500 grants to individuals and groups that work with youth on projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities. Youth-led projects with clearly defined goals and the potential for growth or further replication will be given stronger consideration. Award recipients will receive $500 and are eligible to participate in an international capacity- building workshop. The competition is open to all young people aged 18-29. Applicants must have a leadership role in a youth-led initiative that works to create positive change in their community.
Deadline: April 18, with the 10 winners announced June 15.
For application guidelines and a downloadable application, visit: http://www.youthactionnet.org

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes Seeks Nominations (Apr 30)
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2005 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30. For more information and to nominate, visit http://www.barronprize.org.

Jordan Fundamentals Program Offers Support for Teachers in Low-Income School
Deadline: June 15, 2005
Applicants must be public school teachers or paraprofessionals working with students in grades one through twelve and be employed by an accredited public school where at least 50 percent of the school's student population is eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program. Applicants must develop an original lesson plan or thematic unit that demonstrates high expectations for students. Applicants are encouraged to involve students in the development of this plan or unit.
RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/611/nike

Youth-led community research grants
CIRCLE is happy to announce a new grant competition for community research conducted by young people. Application details can be found on our website at http://www.civicyouth.org/. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2005.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2005
awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown
leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each
year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service
work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30.
For more information and to nominate, visit www.barronprize.org.

Tony Hawk Foundation Offers Support for Skateparks Grants
Deadline: March 1, 2005 and September 1, 2005
The primary mission of the Tony Hawk Foundation is to promote high-quality, public skateparks in low-income areas throughout the United States. Foundation grants are awarded to encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction, and operation of new skateboard parks and facilities in low-income communities. Grants may be requested in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.
http://www.tonyhawkfoundation.org/grant_application.asp

The Charles Frueauff Foundation 2005 Grants
- Deadline: March 15, Sept 15
The Charles Frueauff Foundation focuses on at-risk youths in all its funding categories: education, health, and social services. Tutoring, sexual-health and job-training initiatives receive preference. Other funding priorities include welfare-to-work programs, inadequate day-care systems, and economic-development initiatives.
http://www.frueaufffoundation.com/

KaBOOM! Announces 2005 Playground Opportunities
[posted from RFP Bulletin]
KaBOOM! has announced ongoing opportunities to build new, safe playgrounds across North America. KaBOOM! is conducting outreach to locate potential Community Partners in cities and towns all across North America for playgrounds to be built in 2005. Ideal Community Partners are usually child-serving, nonprofit organizations, but could be community development organizations, neighborhood coalitions, charter schools, or any organization that can mobilize a volunteer force and is in need of a playground.
RFP Link: http://www.kaboom.org/nooz.aspx?id=452

Christopher Columbus Awards for Exploring Social Change
Teams of middle school students are invited to enter the Christopher Columbus Awards, a free awards program that challenges students to explore opportunities for positive change in their communities. Teams of up to four students and a coach must identify a community issue and use the scientific process to solve it. Coaches may be teachers, parents, community leaders, or mentors. Teams do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Application deadline: February 14, 2005. http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com
CIRCLE is happy to announce a new grant competition for community
research conducted by young people. Application details can be found on
our website at www.civicyouth.org . The
deadline for applications is March 31, 2005.

Youth Serve America Awards and Grants
http://www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm

Starbucks Foundation
The Starbucks Foundation provides grants of $5,000-$20,000 for nonprofits to help at-risk children and youth. The Youth Leadership Program has provided
more than $5 million since 1996. Applications embracing cultural diversity
and involving families, schools and neighborhood organizations receive
preference. The foundation's Power of Literacy priority stimulates personal
development and encourages commitment to social equity, justice and
environmental awareness through writing, literacy and the promotion of the
voices of youth in public forums. The Leaders in Diversity priority supports
efforts to teach the value of societal diversity, with an emphasis on
development of leadership skills to build bridges of understanding between
individuals, groups and communities. The next deadline is Oct. 1.
Info: www.Starbucks.com/aboutus/foundation.asp.

Girls Going Places Program to Recognize Girls for Entrepreneurship
Deadline: February 25, 2005
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (http://guardianlife.com/) has announced the launch of the 2005 Girls Going Places Scholarship Program, a national competition that recognizes and rewards entrepreneurial girls between the ages of twelve and eighteen. Guardian and Girls Going Places will award fifteen girls a total of $30,000 to be used toward furthering their education and supporting their entrepreneurial pursuits. Three top prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000 and twelve finalist prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded.
RFP Link: http://www.girlsgoingplaces.com/

Growing to Greatness 2004
NYLC is currently accepting research proposals from student-faculty teams.
Two teams will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend. Winning proposals will be announced at the 2005 National Service-Learning Conference, March 17-20, 2005, in Long Beach, California. The winning teams' final research reports will be slated for possible inclusion in the Growing to Greatness 2006 report.
Deadline: January 7, 2005. For more information visit:
http://leadershipforchange.org/program/

Youth Service America Youth Venturer
Get up to $1,000 in start-up funds for sustainable NYSD projects by becoming a YSA Youth Venturer! Want to help your community or change the world? Need some funds and support to help get things going? Youth Service America (YSA) and Youth Venture can help! YSA and Youth Venture are teaming up again to make everyday National Youth Service Day (NYSD).
http://www.youthventure.org.

Scribe Video Center Seeks Student Workers for 2005 Documentary History Project for Youth
If selected to participate, your job begins in February and ends in September 2005. This includes some after-school, Saturday and summer hours. Scribe Video Center provides the equipment and training.
215-222-4201 or e-mail us at inquiry@scribe.org.

YOUTHadelphia funding for youth-led projects
YOUTHADELPHIA, the youth advisory committee of the Fund for Children at the Philadelphia Foundation, is currently recruiting new members to join our board.  Comprised of 10-12 high school students and adult coaches from a diverse set of Philadelphia neighborhoods, schools, and youth organizations, YOUTHADELPHIA engages youth in grantmaking activities of the Fund for Children, providing leadership development opportunities and a forum for youth dialogue and action.  The mission of YOUTHadelphia is to give Philadelphia teens opportunities to build youth power by being in control of giving back to their communities through funding youth-led projects. 
215-563-6417 ext.
215-563-6882 fax
kbird@philafound.org

Youth Leaders for Literacy
The National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Service America will award $500 grants for youth-initiated community service projects promoting literacy. Youth and young adults (age 21 or younger) can apply individually or in groups. Projects should begin on NEA's Read Across America Day in March and end no earlier than Youth Service America's National Youth Service Day in April.
Deadline: October 22, 2004.
http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/admin/Newsletter_Tracker.cfm?
NewsletterID=53&StartPage=http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/
publications/sla_funding.cfm#6

Good Schools PA Building Their Youth Action Network
This school year Good Schools Pennsylvania is launching two new and exciting programs to build our Youth Action Network: High School Action Grants and the Youth Advisory Board. These are tremendous student leadership opportunities - you or students you know just might want to think about applying for one of these! The High School Action Grants will fund youth led initiatives across the state that are targeted at creating a fairer system of public education in our state. Each site will be granted awards of up to $1000. Teams will be composed of three or more students in grades 9-12, one adult advisor who is a faculty or staff member at the high school, and a representative from a partnering community organization. Our application deadline is November 24th.
Take a few moments and look over the information available on the Good Schools Pennsylvania website under High School Action Grants (http://www.goodschoolspa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.view
Page§ion_id=139&page_id=827 )
and Youth Advisory Board
( http://www.goodschoolspa.org/index.cfm?
fuseaction=cms.viewPage§ion_i! d=139&pa ge_id=655).

Funding for Student Volunteer Projects
Deadline: January 10, 2005
To celebrate publication of "D is for Democracy," publisher Sleeping Bear Press, a Thomson Gale imprint, is encouraging students in grades three through eight to play an active role in America's democratic process by developing their own volunteer project. Sleeping Bear Press will award five $1,000 grants to fund the winning student projects.Proposals are to be developed and submitted by a teacher on behalf of an entire classroom. Submissions will be evaluated based on their originality, a clearly stated need and benefit, and feasibility of implementation.
RFP Link: http://www.galeschools.com/grant_goldmine/sbpgrant.htm

Youth-Led Social Change Projects
Deadline: October 1, 2004
YouthActionNet (http://www.youthactionnet.org/) is offering awards to youth leaders and their emerging projects that promote social change and connect youth with local communities. These youth-led projects should have clearly defined goals and have potential for growth or further replication. Final selections are made following a peer review process in which previous award winners select the next round of awardees. Award recipients will receive $500 and are eligible to participate in an international capacity-building workshop.
RFP Link: http://www.youthactionnet.org/yan_awards