Funding Amount

$5,000 per recipient (2023); $20,000 total awarded (2024); monetary awards (2025)

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Hodan Nalayeh Changemaker Award

Overview: An annual award recognizing students who embody optimism, compassion, and have made substantial contributions to their school and community. The award honors the legacy of Hodan Nalayeh, a visionary leader, media pioneer, and humanitarian.

Geographic Scope: Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Students at Hodan Nalayeh Secondary School

  • Demonstrate exceptional leadership and service

  • Exemplify optimism and compassion

  • Have made substantial contributions to school and/or community

  • Show commitment to giving back

  • Demonstrate academic excellence
  • Focus Areas:

  • Leadership and service

  • Peer mentorship

  • Cultural awareness initiatives

  • Community dialogue and safe spaces

  • Volunteering

  • Mental health advocacy

  • Support for newcomers to Canada

  • Championing inclusion and equity
  • What Recipients Receive:

  • Plaque of recognition

  • Letter of recognition

  • Monetary award
  • Award History:

  • 2023: 3 recipients, $5,000 each

  • 2024: 12 recipients, $20,000 total awarded

  • 2025: 12 recipients awarded
  • Background: Created by the Nalayeh family to honor Hodan's memory and legacy. Hodan Nalayeh was the world's first Somali media owner, founder of Integration TV, and a renowned humanitarian and advocate for positive change. The award is presented annually at the Hodan Nalayeh Legacy Day celebration.

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-programseducation

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Related Grants

    Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

    Ready to apply for Hodan Nalayeh Changemaker Award?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.