Dreamstarter Grant

Running Strong for American Indian Youth's Dreamstarter program awards $20,000 grants to Native youth ages 18 to 30 to carry out a community project inspired by their dream, in partnership with a nonprofit mentor organization of their choice. Applicants must be enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribal nation, and each year's projects must fit an announced theme (the 2026 theme was food sovereignty).

The mentor organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) or 7871 nonprofit, and selected Dreamstarters and their mentors attend the Dreamstarter Academy training together.

Applications for the most recent cycle opened in late August and were due January 3 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, with awardees announced in late February. Since 2015 the program has funded more than 100 Native youth-led projects.