What are Do Something Grants all about?

We are one of the only organizations that puts money directly into the hands of young people, our community action grants help turn dream projects into a reality and take existing projects to the next level. Past grantees have used the money to create a community-run organic farm, publish a youth-written literary magazine for women of color, and even create an organization that teaches sick kids how to fly. The Do Something Grants program isn’t just about giving money though. Through our monthly alumni calls, newsletters, Boot Camps and online content we provide our grant winners with the skills to grow and sustain their projects.

Am I eligible to apply for a grant?

In order to be eligible to apply for a Do Something Grant you must:

• Be 25 or younger
• A U.S. or Canadian citizen (you are asked to prove citizenship if you win)
• You can apply for as many grants as you’d like, but you can only win ONE grant from DoSomething.org within a 12 month period (excluding the Do Something Awards or unless otherwise noted).

What can’t grant money be used for?

Do Something Grants CANNOT be used to fund:

• Travel costs
• Individual sponsorships
• Shipping costs
• Individual school fees (our grants support projects, check out our scholarships [1] to help you pay for school)
• Fundraisers

How can fundraisers be incorporated into my project?

If your project has a fundraising element it can still be considered so long as there is a direct community impact through education, awareness, or taking action. We do not fund projects whose sole goal is to raise funds. Additionally you CANNOT contribute the Do Something Grant money towards your fundraising goal, specifically the money CANNOT be funneled to any other organization.

What do I need to apply for a Seed Grant?

In order to apply for a Seed Grant:

Post a project [2]

Fill in the Seed Grant Application [3]

Be patient! Your application will be put into our judging queue once you hit submit and you will hear from us within 2 months

What is an example of a good application?

A good application should follow the Judging Criteria [4] Additionally your application should address your individual role in the project; how you are or will measure the impact you are making on your community; and please pay attention to detail in your grammar and spelling.

I started my project with a partner or group. Can we apply together?

Yes, we love group participation and encourage you to carry out your project with your friends. If you started your project with a group, you should decide one person to act as the project leader who will be the main contact person. The project leader will enter other group members' emails on the application form so that we can update all of you with any news.

My project is partnered with another organization, or part of a larger organization. Can I still apply?

Yes! If you are partnering with another organization you can apply for a Do Something Grant, so long as your project stands on its own and you are the leader of it. The same is true if your project is a part of a larger organization. Again, the project must be a separate and distinct part of the organization of which you must hold a leading role.

What needs to be included in my budget?

Your budget should provide a general overview of how you plan to use the money and if you can, include specifics (i.e. 25 soccer balls at $15.33 each). Make sure to take a look above at what we do not fund and make sure none of your plans include those items.

How long do I have to spend my grant money?

You must use your grant money within 6 months of receiving your check. If your project is planned further in advance than six months, you might want to wait to apply. Remember, the Do Something Grants are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can apply at anytime.

Who should I approach for a recommendation?

The strongest applicants have recommendations written by people who are well informed about their projects and ideas. This should be someone who knows you well, but more importantly can attest to the goals and strength of your project, rather than your personal character. This means they should know your project or your plan of action, what you’ve done or what you plan to do. Please ask your recommenders to write about their experience with you and their thoughts about your work, your impact, and your collaboration with the community, if possible. They should be as specific as possible. We suggest that you send your recommender the Judging Criteria.

I am getting an ‘It’s broken’ message when I try to apply

If you are having trouble posting a project or viewing the application it is most likely because you have not verified your email address. When you created a log in for the Do Something site you were sent an email. In that email there is a link to verify your email address. Check your junk mail. If you can't find the email or are still having trouble please let us know by emailing help@dosomething.org [5].

How do I edit my application?

You can edit your application by logging into www.dosomething.org [6], going to MY ACCOUNT (On the top right side of the site, right above the "Sign Up" box. Your Do Something Grants application will be listed under "Grants I've Applied For.

What if my application isn’t showing up in my member profile?

If your application is not appearing in your profile, you can access it here [7]

What if my computer crashes while I’m working on my application?

Yikes! Computer crashes happen to everyone. To protect your application from being lost, make sure to FIRST write your essays in Word and then copy/paste them into the online application. Also, as you work on your application, periodically hit "Submit" to save your changes. We have no ability to access your application if your computer crashes before you hit submit, so please help us help you by making sure you have back up copies of your essays.

How do I find out if I’ve won?

Do Something Seed Grant applications are accepted on a "rolling basis" which means that there is no application deadline. You will be notified whether or not you have won a grant within 2 months of submitting your application. It's annoying to wait, we know, but we have to read through a lot of applications! Winning applicants will receive emails and see their projects highlighted on our Facebook page. Non-winning applicants will be notified by email two to three months after submission.

What happens if I don’t win a grant?

Non-winning applicants will be notified by email 2-3 months after submission. We encourage you to take another look at your application and re-apply. It might be that we had so many great applications that month we just couldn’t fit you in. Or it might be that your application has room for improvement: maybe it needs more clarity on how your project measures change, or maybe you need to explain what makes your project unique. If you would like individual feedback, you can email grant@dosomething.org [8] for one-on-one advice on how to improve your application.

Where can I find more opportunities to fund my project?

If you're looking for more funding, check out our Grants Database [9], a comprehensive listing of other social action scholarships, grants, trips and awards.