1. You must identify a non-profit organization to apply with. Applicants must apply in partnership with a registered 501©3 or 7871 nonprofit organization, known as the Mentor Organization. Mentor Organizations should be schools, non-profits, or tribal organizations working in Indian Country and to which the Applicant has a personal connection. Each Mentor Organization will designate an authorized representative, known as the Dreamstarter Mentor, to apply with the applicant, attend Dreamstarter Academy, and oversee the grant year. This Mentor should be an individual with whom the Applicant has a good personal or professional relationship. Dreamstarter Applicants and Dreamstarter Mentors will need to fill out this application together, as there are sections of this application for both individually.

2. You must be enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribal nation. Applicants should be prepared to submit documentation with the Application. If you have any questions, please email Dreamstarter@IndianYouth.org.

3. You must be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the time of application.

4. Your proposed project must fit within the theme “Storytelling.” Have an idea that you aren’t sure is eligible? Email us at Dreamstarter@IndianYouth.org.

5. Dreamstarter Grantees and Mentors are required attend Dreamstarter Academy from May 17-20, 2024. Failure to confirm availability will result in rejection of the application and failure to attend will result in revocation of grant if awarded.

September 1, 2023: Applications OPEN

January 15, 2024: Applications are DUE by 11:59 pm EST.

March 29, 2024: Successful applicants notified, Social media Announcement. 

May 17-20, 2024: Dreamstarter Academy with all Dreamstarters & Mentors. Washington, D.C. area.

May 20, 2024: First half of grant funding dispursed.

November 15, 2024: Program Update DUE

November 15, 2024: Second half of grant funding dispersed upon submission of update reporting.

June 30, 2025: Grant period ENDS and all grant monies must be spent.

August 15, 2025: All receipts and Grant Report DUE

May 20, 2024 – June 30, 2025: ALL DREAMSTARTER FUNDS MUST BE USED DURING THIS PERIOD.

Please make sure to have the following items available when you’re filling out the application. The following attachments are required for application submission. 

• Grant Budget
• Grant Budget Narrative
• Project Timeline
• Proof of Tribal Enrollment
• SIGNED W9 from Mentor Organization
• IRS Tax Exempt Letter from Mentor Organization
• Most recent 990 for Mentor Organization (should not be more than 2 years old)
• 3 letters of recommendation from community members, tribal leaders, professors, employers, etc.
• Photos – 1 Headshot of Dreamstarter Applicant, 2-3 photos of Dreamstarter Applicant in action (volunteer projects, school, or work related photos, etc.), and 2-3 photos of Mentor Organization in action. 
• Video- 1 Video shot in 9:16 aspect ratio of Dreamstarter Applicant introducing themselves, and following a short prompt. Video should not exceed 1 minute in length. 

PLEASE NOTE: The photo and video attachments you provide will be shared to Running Strong website and Social Media. Please provide large, good quality images. Headshots of Dreamstarter Applicants should have entire face visible, with a background that is not busy or distracting.

In video, please be sure to present yourself nicely, speak clearly, and film in 9:16 aspect ratio (vertical phone video). Prompt provided on application. 

Native Youth, ages 15-30, can apply to receive $20,000.00 to pursue their dream of telling Native stories, preserving traditional storytelling, and increasing Native representation in various forms of media!

Indigenous peoples have strong storytelling traditions. Stories are used to communicate, entertain, share generational knowledge, and explain the world around us. For centuries, storytelling was the main form of education as stories were used to pass on tribal and familial history and to teach cultural values. Today, many Natives in the media are using their platforms to tell their traditional stories and the stories of Native people and tribal communities across the country. They are using storytelling to bring awareness to issues in Indian Country and celebrate the beauty of Indigenous people and culture.

A systematic erasure of cultures and the removal of Native people from their traditional lands and family systems has left many Native communities fighting to preserve languages, customs, and storytelling traditions and has led to a devastating lack of Native representation in mainstream media. 2024 Dreamstarter applicants are encouraged to use visual, oral, written, or digital storytelling to undertake projects that will help uplift Native voices and allow Native perspectives and stories to be heard. There is no one better to tell the story of Indigenous people than you. 

What are some examples of these types of storytelling?

• Visual Storytelling
  • Drawings, sculpture, painting, photography, dancing
• Oral storytelling
  • Songs, cultural workshops, discussion groups, radio/podcast, spoken word
• Written
  • Novels, picture books, comics, poetry, journalism
• Digital
  • Documentaries, blogs, social media, videos, storyteller marketing, graphic design

We invite you to apply for a Dreamstarter grant today!