Read below to learn more about four new opportunities to fund your youth-led service and learning projects:
Grant: After School Grants! Projects started by young people who are providing after school activities that help youth in their community.
Funder: Do Something and JCPenney.
Eligibility: Young people under age 25.
Deadline: Sept. 15.
Amount: 10 $500 grants and five $1,000 grants.
Contact: www.dosomething.org/grants/afterschool.
Grant: Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge – For youth-led environmental projects.
Funder: Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education and the National Science Teachers Association.
Eligibility: Students in grades kindergarten to eight.
Deadline: Jan. 31, for elementary schools; March 15, 2010, for middle schools.
Amount: Students compete for more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Contact: http://wecanchange.com.
Grant: State Farm Youth Advisory Board – For service-learning projects that address certain issues, including drivers’ safety, access to higher education and environmental responsibility.
Funder: State Farm.
Eligibility: Individuals between the ages of 17 and 20 as of June 30, 2009.
Deadline: Oct. 2.
Amount: From $25,000 to $100,000 each.
Contact: www.statefarmyab.com/apply.php.
Grant: Big Green – For environmentally friendly projects that encourage youths to take care of the environment, be active, live healthier and engage in community service.
Funder: Nickelodeon.
Eligibility: Elementary and middle schools and after-school community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status serving kids age 5 to 15 years.
Deadline: Dec. 31.
Amount: $2,500 or $5,000 each. The latter amount must be matched one to one.
Contact: www.bghevent.com/grant/index.htm.