Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes GYSD Grants

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Youth Grants are administered by Youth Service America (YSA) in partnership with The Hershey Company through its Hershey’s Heartwarming Project. This initiative is part of a broader movement to promote youth engagement, social connection, and emotional well-being by empowering young people to lead community-based service and advocacy efforts. The grant supports projects scheduled during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) 2026, aligning with YSA's mission to increase opportunities for youth to serve and connect meaningfully with their communities. These grants are designed to amplify youth leadership by supporting initiatives that foster inclusivity, empathy, and kindness. Applicants—youth aged 5 to 25 from the United States (including U.S. territories, military bases, and Department of Defense schools) and Canada—can apply for grants of $250, $500, or $1,000 depending on the expected number of youth participants or volunteers. A total of $50,000 in funding is allocated for the 2026 grant cycle. Applicants are encouraged to propose either service projects or youth-led events that promote awareness, philanthropy, or advocacy. Priority will be given to projects that involve diverse youth populations and emphasize peer and community connection. Grant-funded activities must occur between April 10 and May 10, 2026, with a strong recommendation for engagement on the core Global Youth Service Day dates of April 24–26. Eligible project themes include promoting inclusion, celebrating diverse cultures, fostering intergenerational relationships, and addressing mental health, loneliness, and social isolation. Other focus areas include building racial equity and teaching empathy. Events may include youth summits, voter registration drives, rallies, advocacy events, and training sessions—provided they are youth-designed and youth-led. To determine grant tiers, projects must indicate the number of youth who will participate or volunteer. For example, a $250 grant requires engagement of 25–50 youth, $500 grants correspond to 50–100 participants, and $1,000 awards require 100–200 youth involved. Funded efforts should prioritize youth from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds, including youth of color, youth with disabilities, those from low-income households, and others who are typically recipients rather than agents of service. Projects must also take place within the applicant’s own community. The application deadline is March 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM local time. All applicants will be notified of decisions by March 31, 2026. Selected grantees must attend a mandatory one-hour orientation session in early April and submit a post-project impact report by May 31, 2026. The grant does not require cost sharing or matching funds. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. For questions related to the program or the application process, applicants are directed to first consult the program’s FAQ. Further inquiries may be addressed to Scott Ganske, the program administrator, at [email protected]. Although the grant application for 2025 has closed, the 2026 application cycle is expected to open soon, and prospective applicants are encouraged to sign up early to receive notifications when the application portal is live.

Projects must be youth-led, take place in applicant's community, and involve diverse volunteers with a focus on empathy, inclusion, and connection.