America's Field Trip Contest
Funding Amount
$500 (second-place award)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Students in grades 3-12
Other requirements
- All 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia
Overview
A nationwide scholastic contest for students in grades 3-12 to submit artwork and essays responding to the prompt "What does America mean to you?" for the chance to earn unique experiences at iconic American sites.
Recurrence: Multi-year/annual program. Second year of recognition (2025), building on success of pilot program.
Eligibility:
- Students in grades 3-12
- All 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia
Award Details:
- First-Place Awards: 75 awardees will embark on once-in-a-lifetime field trips to iconic historic and cultural landmarks during summer
- Second-Place Awards: 75 students receive $500 cash prize
- Selection based on panel of current and former educators
Award Scope: 150 total awardees selected annually
Geographic Scope: All 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and District of Columbia
Focus Areas:
- Artwork submissions
- Essay submissions
- Reflection on American identity and values
Funding Partner: The Bank of New York Mellon Foundation
2025 Results:
- Record number of submissions representing all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and D.C.
- 150 students selected
- 75 first-place awardees receive field trip experiences
- 75 second-place awardees receive $500 each
What AMERICA250ORG Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 20
- Total given
- $357K
- Median grant
- $10K
- Range
- $10K–$50K
- By dollars: Pennsylvania 14%, Virginia 14%, Alaska 10%. Top recipient cities: Anchorage, AK; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA.
- 15% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
AMERICA250PA · Philadelphia, PA
General purpose
$50K
Va Commemorations Inc · Richmond, VA
Seed funding for a250 commission
$50K
AK Historical Society · Anchorage, AK
Seed funding for a250 commission
$25K
Town of Lexington · Lexington, MA
General purpose
$25K
North Carolina Department of Cultural & Natural Resources · Raleigh, NC
Seed funding for a250 commission
$25K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Education
- K-12 schools
Categories
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