Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants Available for Global Youth Service Day Projects/Events
Michael Minks
Dear K-12 education partners,
In partnership with The Hershey Company, YSA will award Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants for Youth Service Month (April 10 - May 10, 2026) & Global Youth Service Day (April 24-26, 2026) projects and events.
Youth changemakers - ages 5 to 25 - in the U.S. and Canada are eligible to apply for these grants to lead and engage their peers in awareness, service, and philanthropy projects or youth voice, leadership, and advocacy events in their communities.
This year, youth may apply for grants of $250, $500, or $1,000 depending on the number of youth who will be participating as project volunteers or event participants. A total of $50,000 in grants will be awarded. Grant options include:
- $250 – at least 25 youth project volunteers / event participants
- $500 – at least 50 youth project volunteers / event participants
- $1,000 – at least 100 youth project volunteers / event participants
We’re looking for ideas straight from your heart that build meaningful connections and create more inclusive, empathetic, and kind communities. New for 2026, we're also looking to support events that provide opportunities for youth voice, leadership, or advocacy in your community.
Suggested project focus areas include:
- Promoting Inclusion
- Celebrating Diverse Cultures
- Building Racial Equity
- Teaching Empathy
- Creating a Kinder Community
- Protecting Mental Health
- Fostering Meaningful Connections
- Building Intergenerational Relationships
- Addressing Social Isolation & Loneliness
- Youth Voice Events
- Youth Summit or Forum; Youth-Facilitated Candidate Forums/Debates
- Youth Participation in Public Meetings (City Council, County Board, School Board, etc.)
- Wish Wall Event
- Youth Takeover Day
- Youth Leadership Events
- Youth-Led Training; Leadership Training for Youth; Youth-Adult Partnerships Training for Adults
- Youth Advisory Group Planning, Recruitment, Training, and Matching Event
- Community Mapping and/or Needs Assessments Activities
- Youth Advocacy Events – Advocating, speaking out, and joining others to influence policy/decision-makers.
- Youth Rally, March, or Protest
- Youth Day at City Hall or State Capitol
- Youth Voter Registration Drive
Learn more and apply by March 15 at YSA.org/Hershey
Michael Minks
Vice President of Operations
YSA (Youth Service America)
1050 Connecticut Ave NW #65525
Washington, DC 20035-5525