11 Awards for Student-Run Nonprofits in 2025
If you run a nonprofit in high school, an award can put your work in front of a far wider audience than you could reach on your own.
What are awards for student-run nonprofits?
These are competitions and recognition programs that reward young people for leadership, creativity, and measurable social impact. Most require no travel and little or no entry fee, and many are entirely online, so you can apply no matter where you live or how much you can spend.
Why apply for a nonprofit award in high school?
Winning, or even being shortlisted, gives your organization credibility that is hard to earn any other way. Recognition can open doors to new partnerships, unlock funding and specialized resources, and give you the visibility to grow your work further.
To help you find the right fit, here are 11 awards for student-run nonprofits in 2025, plus a bonus resource for students who want to start a nonprofit of their own.
Quick look
These are all recognition and grant programs, not courses or internships. Most charge no entry fee, and many accept online applications from anywhere.
Prize value ranges enormously, from certificates and small micro-grants (Everyday Young Hero, $250; Youth Empowerment Fund, €500 to €5,000) up to major cash awards (Gloria Barron Prize, $10,000; Skoll Award, $2 million).
Some are open globally (Anthem, PRME, Youth Empowerment Fund), while others are limited to the US or North America (Princeton Prize, Brower Youth Awards, Billie Jean King).
A few are nomination-only or tied to a specific course or institution (Skoll, Gantcher), so read the eligibility rules closely before investing time in an application.
Almost every award here recognizes a nonprofit you have already built. If you are still at the idea stage, the bonus entry, Young Founders Lab, helps you build and launch the organization you can later enter for these awards
12 Awards for Student-Run Nonprofits in 2025
1. Anthem Awards
Location: Global; entries submitted online. Winners may attend in-person recognition events.
Cost/Prize: Entry fees vary by category and deadline tier. Winners receive trophies and global recognition.
Dates: Submissions open annually in spring.
Deadline: Early Entry Deadline: June 6; final deadlines vary by year; check here for updates.
Eligibility: Individuals, student groups, nonprofits, and organizations advancing social impact work across sectors such as education, health, equity, and sustainability.
The Anthem Awards, run by the team behind the Webby Awards, highlight student-led nonprofits and youth initiatives that create real social impact. You can apply if your project or organization focuses on areas like education, equity, climate action, or humanitarian service. Entries are judged on innovation, impact, scalability, and storytelling. If you’re selected as a finalist or winner, you gain recognition through Anthem’s media platforms, receive a digital badge and trophy, and have your project featured in their impact showcase. Some categories also connect you to conferences, networking, and mentorship opportunities, giving you visibility and leadership experience in the social impact space.
2. Skoll Award for Social Innovation
Location: Global. Recipients are honored at the Skoll World Forum in Oxford, UK, through virtual and in-person events.
Cost/Prize: No cost to apply. Awardees receive a $2 million unrestricted grant to advance their social innovation work.
Dates: Awards are announced annually in April during the Skoll World Forum.
Deadline: No open application process. Candidates are identified through referrals and internal nominations.
Eligibility: Legally incorporated organizations, including nonprofits, for-profits, or hybrids, advancing systemic social change. Student-founded groups are not explicitly eligible unless formally incorporated and meet Skoll’s criteria.
The Skoll Award for Social Innovation, run by the Skoll Foundation, honors nonprofits creating systemic solutions to global challenges. You can be nominated if your organization shows a clear path to large-scale change, like shifting policies, reforming unjust systems, or leading movements. Fewer than 10 awardees are chosen each year through a multi-year nomination and review process. If selected, your organization receives $2 million in unrestricted funding, long-term access to the Skoll network, and support to expand your impact.
3.PRME Global Students Sustainability Awards
Location: Global and virtual; includes nine regional divisions and a global final
Cost/Prize: No entry fee. The global winner receives a $2,000 prize to support sustainability initiatives.
Dates: Global competition runs from 10 March to 18 April 2025
Deadline: Submission Deadline: 2 March 2025
Eligibility: Student organizations affiliated with PRME Signatory Members that demonstrate impactful sustainability work aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The PRME Global Students Sustainability Awards recognize student groups that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through campus or community projects. You can apply if your organization is linked to a PRME Signatory Member and has carried out sustainability work in the past year, whether social, environmental, or economic. Regional winners are chosen across nine world regions and move on to the Conscious Capitalism Simulation Challenge. Finalists present their projects at the PRME Global Forum, where you gain skills in pitching, international exposure, mentorship, and the chance to win funding to grow your work. The award also connects you to a global network of educators and student changemakers.
4 .Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
Location: National; open to youth residing in the United States and Canada.
Cost/Prize: No application fee. Each winner receives a $10,000 cash prize to support education or service work.
Dates: Applications open in early January; winners are announced in September
Deadline: April 15 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time
Eligibility: Youth ages 8–18 (not yet 19 by the deadline) who are currently leading or have recently led an inspiring individual service project. Group applications are not accepted.
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors up to 25 young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact through service projects or nonprofit work. The prize focuses on individual leadership, so joint applications from large groups aren’t accepted. Fifteen top winners receive a $10,000 cash award to support their service work or education, along with national media coverage and access to a network of past winners and scholars. You’ll submit an essay, three letters of recommendation, and optional supplemental materials.
5. Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Location: National program across the U.S. with 28 regional committees and an At-Large option; winners receive local recognition and attend a multi-day Symposium on Race at Princeton University.
Cost/Prize: No cost to apply. Each regional winner receives $2,500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Princeton symposium.
Dates: Applications open annually in September
Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (grades 9–12) who have shown leadership in advancing racial equity, promoting racial understanding, or addressing racial bias in their schools or communities.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR) honors high school students who have shown outstanding leadership in advancing racial equity and promoting racial understanding in their schools or communities. The program operates through 25 regional alumni committees and an at-large committee for students outside those areas. Each region selects one Prize recipient, who receives a $2,500 cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip to Princeton University for the annual Symposium on Race. At the symposium, you’ll join other winners for workshops, discussions, and networking with scholars, activists, and policymakers.
6. Everyday Young Hero Awards
Location: National (United States); honorees are recognized virtually through Youth Service America’s newsletter and social media.
Cost/Prize: No fee to enter. Weekly recipients receive a certificate, a congratulatory letter, and national recognition. Select honorees may also receive $250 micro-grants to expand their projects.
Dates: Nominations are accepted year-round
Deadline: Rolling; one Everyday Young Hero is selected each week
Eligibility: Youth ages 5–25 who are improving their communities through service, advocacy, or awareness projects; individually or through youth-led initiatives, schools, or organizations.
The Everyday Young Hero Awards, run by Youth Service America (YSA), recognize young people ages 5 to 25 who lead service projects that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities. You can be nominated year-round if you’re running your own initiative, leading a student-run nonprofit, or collaborating on a project through school, faith groups, or other organizations. Each week, one honoree is selected to receive a certificate of recognition, a congratulatory letter, and a feature in YSA’s Youth Service Briefing and social media platforms.
7.Gantcher Family Foundation Student-Led Grant Program
Location: Geneva, New York; hosted at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Students conduct in-person site visits and host a campus-based grantmaking event.
Cost/Prize: No cost for student participants. Each spring, $20,000 in grant funding is distributed by the class to selected local nonprofits.
Dates: Semester-based course offered during the spring term.
Deadline: Grant decisions are finalized near the end of the spring semester; in 2025, the culminating event was held on April 23.
Eligibility: Only students enrolled in the “Nonprofit Organizations, Philanthropy and Impact” course at HWS Colleges serve as grantmakers. Eligible nonprofits must be based in the Geneva, NY area.
The Gantcher Family Foundation Student-Led Grant Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges is a semester-long course where you and your classmates decide how to distribute $20,000 to local nonprofits. You review proposals, visit project sites, and meet with community leaders to understand how organizations operate. Along the way, you build skills in evaluating impact, analyzing budgets, and considering ethical issues in philanthropy. By the end, you make strategic grant decisions and gain experience in nonprofit evaluation, charitable giving, and civic leadership.
8.Community Collaboration Challenge
Location: National (United States); grants awarded to community partnerships across 28 states in 2025. Recognition is local and virtual.
Cost/Prize: No cost to apply. Micro-grants of $5,000–$10,000 awarded to selected partnerships; total funding pool varies annually.
Dates: Funds disbursed in three payments between January and June
Deadline: Application deadline: November 15. Project deliverables due by June 15
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include school districts, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and government agencies.
The Community Collaboration Challenge, run by Johns Hopkins University’s NPSS Support Hub with support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, gives $5,000–$10,000 microgrants to communities working to improve student outcomes. You can apply if you’re part of a school district, college, nonprofit, or youth organization focused on issues like chronic absenteeism, academic support, or post-secondary transitions. Awardees use the funds to launch or expand supports such as tutoring, mentoring, and wraparound services. Along with funding, you gain planning tools, visibility through NPSS’s national network, and resources to strengthen community partnerships.
9. Youth-Led Solutions Open Call - Youth Empowerment Fund
Location: Global; eligible youth from multiple countries submit projects virtually. Recognition and support are provided online.
Cost/Prize: No application fee. Micro-grants of €500–€1,500 for individuals and informal groups; up to €5,000 for registered youth-led organizations.
Dates: Open Calls are announced periodically throughout the year.
Deadline: No fixed deadline; upcoming cycles are announced viaGlobal Youth Mobilization’s official site and social media.
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–30 from eligible countries. Applicants may apply as individuals, informal groups, or registered youth-led organizations.
The Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), run by Global Youth Mobilization and the European Union, gives grants to youth-led initiatives that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You can apply as an individual, an informal group, or a registered youth-led organization. Funding ranges from €500–€1,500 for individuals and groups, and up to €5,000 for registered organizations. Projects should tackle issues like climate change, gender equity, disability inclusion, or socio-economic barriers. Applications are reviewed by a youth-led global panel. If selected, you receive funding along with workshops, mentorship, and an Accelerator Program to help you grow your project and expand its impact.
10.Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award
Location: National (United States); honorees are recognized during the ESPYS in Los Angeles and may engage in sport-for-development programming throughout the year.
Cost/Prize: No cost to participate. National honorees receive a $10,000 college scholarship or nonprofit grant; regional honorees receive $2,500.
Dates: Leadership development and recognition programs run year-round.
Deadline: Application cycle closes May 19. Future deadlines are announced via ESPN and Beyond Sport.
Eligibility: U.S. high school and college-aged youth under 25 who use sport to drive positive change. Applicants may apply directly or be nominated by a nonprofit or community organization.
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, run with ESPN, recognizes young people who use sports to create social impact. You can apply if you have led a project or nonprofit that promotes equity, inclusion, or community development through sport. Each year, three national honorees receive a $10,000 college scholarship or charitable grant, and 20 regional honorees receive $2,500 awards. As a winner, you’re recognized at the ESPYS and gain mentorship, leadership coaching, and training in sport-for-development. The award builds your leadership skills and connects you to a national network of youth advocates and professionals in sports and social change.
11.Brower Youth Awards
Location: North America; open to youth in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and U.S. territories. The award ceremony is held annually in Berkeley, California.
Cost/Prize: No application fee. Each winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, a professionally produced short film about their work, and an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in leadership and media training.
Dates: Awards are announced each October
Deadline: May 20
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–22 (as of the deadline) living in North America who have played a lead role in an impactful environmental project or campaign.
The Brower Youth Awards, presented by the Earth Island Institute, honor six young environmental leaders ages 13 to 22 from North America each year for their outstanding work on issues like climate change, air quality, food sovereignty, and community activism. You can apply if you’ve played a major leadership role in an ongoing environmental project that shows innovation, impact, and potential for replication. Winners receive a $3,000 cash prize, a professionally produced short film about their work, and an all-expenses-paid trip to the San Francisco Bay Area for a week of leadership development, media training, and networking. The program emphasizes diversity and inclusion, helping amplify youth voices and connect you to a global network of changemakers.
Bonus
Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies according to program. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup and non-profit bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. It is not an award, but if you are reading this list because you run or want to start a nonprofit, it is one of the most useful resources here. On the nonprofit track, you build and launch your own social-impact venture from the ground up, taking it from a real community problem all the way to a working organization. You are mentored the whole way by established founders and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X, and you take part in interactive classes on fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. Most of the awards on this list reward a nonprofit you have already built; YFL helps you build the one you will enter. You can apply here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need an already-established nonprofit to apply?
For most of these awards, yes. They are designed to recognize work you have already done, so a functioning project or organization is usually expected. If you are still at the idea stage, a program like Young Founders Lab can help you build and launch your nonprofit first, giving you something concrete to enter later.
2. Are these awards free to enter?
Most are. The large majority on this list charge no application fee, and several also come with grants or cash prizes. The Anthem Awards are the main exception, with entry fees that vary by category and deadline tier.
3. Which awards are open to students outside the United States?
Several are global, including the Anthem Awards, the PRME Global Students Sustainability Awards, and the Youth Empowerment Fund. Others, such as the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, the Brower Youth Awards, and the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, are limited to the US or North America, so check eligibility before applying.
4. I have a strong idea but have not started a nonprofit yet. What should I do?
Start by building it. Young Founders Lab walks you through launching your own social-impact venture from problem to working organization, with mentorship from founders and professionals at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Once your nonprofit is running, you can return to this list and apply for the awards that fit your work.
5. Do these awards help beyond the prize money?
Yes, often more than the cash itself. Recognition builds credibility, opens doors to partnerships, and connects you to networks of mentors and fellow changemakers. Many programs also include leadership training, media coverage, or accelerator support that can meaningfully grow your work.