Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is cultivating the next generation of Native leaders. We believe in the dreams of young Native Americans to create stronger communities and build a better tomorrow for themselves and their communities.
Fifty-eight years ago, Billy Mills achieved his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal, and since then, he has used that victory to help him give back to the Native American community. To celebrate Billy’s dream and his leadership, Running Strong launched the Dreamstarter® program to help the next generation of American Indian youth make their dreams come true through, financial support, hands-on mentorship, networking, and communications training. Programs like Dreamstarter® ensure Native youth have the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to build stronger communities and create positive, lasting change.
Each year, Running Strong awards grants for Native American students to 10 youth and their non-profit mentor organizations to implement projects inspired by their dreams for their communities.
Applications for Dreamstarter Academy 2026: Food Sovereignty are open now, through January 3, 2026.
In 2021, we developed Dreamstarter® Creative to invest in Native artists who are upholding generations of culture and tradition through their artwork.
In 2017, we launched Dreamstarter® Teacher, a companion program designed to support educators who work in majority-Native classrooms with unmet needs.
In 2025, we selected five Dreamstarters to receive $50,000 grants to expand upon their original dreams and create lasting impact for Indigenous communities.
In 2022, we began working with Dreamstarters to develop new Running Strong programs inspired by their dreams through Dreamstarter® Incubator.
Check out the most recent updates on your favorite Dreamstarters as they report on their projects, submit photos of their progress, and keep the dream alive.
Your support enables us to provide grants for Native American youth to fund programs that transform communities. Every donation empowers Native youth to achieve their dreams and address critical needs in their communities.