|
Got a Great Idea to Change the World - mtvU Offers Student Grants
Are you aware of an issue in your
community where you knew you could help if only you had the money? Is
there something bothering you that you knew you could fix if you had the
resources? If that is the case, you might qualify for an mtvU grant.
The grant provides up to $1,000
for students to create an organization with the purpose of uplifting the
community. In addition to the $1,000, students receive an opportunity
to be on MTV news. The grant is a joint project between MTV and Youth
Ventures, Inc. Winners will also receive valuable information and
resources from Youth Ventures, Inc. which helps young people, "start
businesses, civil society organizations and informal programs that
address all kinds of social issues."
To apply, you need to be a part-time or full-time student at an mtvU
school to apply for a grant.
Although it isn't a requirement, keep in mind that priority will be
given to projects that aid children, teenagers, the elderly, the
homeless and disaster victims. Applications are accepted in two cycles:
Fall – September 1 through December 31st – and spring – Jan 1st through
May 31st.
|
Students from the University
of Illinois at Chicago won with their project Jam Over There. |
University
of Illinois at Chicago winners for "Jam Over There" organized a
fundraising concert to provide Chicago Public School students with
musical instruments. Other previous winners have included students from
Bowling Green State University's Tint Magazine staff to launch a
self-sustainable and non-profit magazine created to empower young women
in inner city Detroit and beyond. Long after the founders move on, the
magazine can continue. Similarly, any project that students submit
should be sustainable.
Your organization should be run
primarily by young people like the mentoring program established by
Chris Smith, Brandon Thompson, Loren Taylor, Brandon Creamer, and
Rodriquio Davis of Lincoln University's Brothers Unified for the
Community. These gentlemen from the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter of Iota Phi
Theta Fraternity, Inc. established a mentoring program for male students
in local high schools. The goal of the program is to provide quality
activities and group discussions that promote scholarship, leadership,
and citizenship among the youth group.
In order for
your project to be considered, your program must be new, sustainable and
beneficial. The strongest organizations
have clear plans to become ongoing, including transition plans and
structured roles of responsibility for future members; benefits many
others; and has clear short-term and long-term goals.
|
Florida A&M University student
volunteers and the Books All Around team after the first book
giveaway. |
"One of the
good things is that they focus on not just giving to good ideas, but
this is the money to get you started," says Darius Graham who received
an mtvU grant for his organization "Books All Around," a national
literacy initiative striving to make a difference in the lives of youth.
"That money came in handy in making us legitimate."
This grant
provides young people the opportunity to make a positive impact on the
lives of others and serve as role models not just in their communities,
but around the world. Dewan Kazi Farhana won an mtvU grant for her
creation of the Darfur Action Project, which creates awareness of the
genocide that is occurring in the 21st century and to encourage student
activism.
If
your organization has a strong advisor, where the team members and
volunteers demonstrate high energy levels, commitment, and the drive to
meet challenges that arise, download an application at
this link:
http://www.mtvU.com/contests/mtvU_grants/pdfs/mtvU_grants2008.pdf.
Be sure to review the guidelines and criteria BEFORE sending in your
application (http://www.mtvU.com/contests/mtvU_grants/pdfs/criteria.pdf
)
Requirements:
Make sure you
go to an mtvU school (http://www.mtvU.com/uconnect/where_to_watch/)
Download the
application here (http://www.mtvU.com/contests/mtvU_grants/pdfs/mtvU_grants2008.pdf).
For any
questions or to email your application please send your inquiries to the
following address:
ny@youthventure.org.
Additional Photos:
|
Books All Around |
 |
 |
|
Previous mtvU grant winners. |
Tint Magazine |
Brothers United |
|
