Service Learning Through Sports Micro-Grant

Overview

_NOTE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis._

Service Learning Through Sports Micro-Grant

As proud recipients of a grant from The Allstate Foundation, the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program supports youth committed to improving youth sports. Inspired by our School Sports Equity Toolkit, Service Learning through Sports is a one-year program that provides micro-grants and mentorship programming to select U.S. high school students who lead, or aim to lead, a project or initiative that improves the youth sports experience and/or increases opportunities for sport and play.

Service Learning for a Better Future

For school-age youth, service learning begins with organized acts of service for real-world challenges. The more that act of service can meet a recognized need and improve systems or lives at scale, the better. Leaders are born from such work.

Improving Youth Sports Across Communities

Through Project Play, the signature initiative of the its Sports & Society Program, the Aspen Institute learned that the supply of sport opportunities were not meeting youth needs. As illustrated in our School Sports Equity Toolkit, motivated high school students like Noor Abukaram, Ashley Badis, Matt Diaz and Rishan Patel have shown that young people can take it upon themselves to improve sports in their communities. Their stories make clear that not only do youth want quality sport experiences, but the act of bolstering access and quality for others can produce meaningful service learning.

A Program For Youth Committed to Improving Youth Sports

Service Learning through Sports is a one-year program that will identify and support a small number of U.S. high school students who lead, or aim to lead, a project or initiative that addresses an issue in sport in their community. Recipients will receive a micro-grant and mentorship programing to support their project and develop them as future service leaders.

The program includes:

* $2,000 micro-grant - Through an affiliated non-profit host organization, students will receive a $2,000 grant for a sports-focused project or initiative that they actively lead.
* One-day learning retreat at the Project Play Summit - Students will travel for discussion and brainstorming with the full cohort, a set of peer mentors and Aspen staff. Costs for travel and hotel will be included.
* Ongoing peer mentorship and guidance - Over a one year period, students will receive periodic feedback and guidance from peer mentors and program staff through virtual meetings for themselves and the full cohort.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Current U.S. high school students can apply, including those in U.S. territories.
* Parent/guardian consent is required for youth under 18.

Ineligibility

* You may not apply if you are a immediate family or household of an Aspen Institution or a Allstate Foundation employee