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.
Over the past decade, Running Strong for American Indian Youth®’s Dreamstarter Program has transformed lives and systems across Indian Country. Launched in 2015 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of by Billy Mills’ (Oglala Lakota) Olympic victory, the program has become a catalyst for systemic change.
Dreamstarter has done more than fund individual projects — it has cultivated a generation of Indigenous leaders who now serve as educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, and community organizers.
These Dreamstarters not only realized personal dreams but sparked ripple effects within their communities, creating new organizations, mentorship networks, and cultural revitalization initiatives.
Dreamstarter has been instrumental in preserving Indigenous languages, cultural arts, and traditional knowledge systems. Projects have created immersive language camps, traditional arts collectives, and cultural education initiatives that reconnect youth to their heritage.
The Dreamstarter network has helped reduce health disparities and increase access to education in tribal communities.
From restoring rivers to launching renewable energy systems, Dreamstarters are leading the Indigenous climate justice movement
10 YEARS OF DATA
A decade later, the outcomes of Dreamstarter’s strategic model are measurable:
Increase in Indigenous language speakers through revitalization programs.
Higher graduation and college enrollment rates among Dreamstarter youth and their mentees.
Higher graduation and college enrollment rates among Dreamstarter youth and their mentees.
Sustainable organizations like Tribal Adaptive, Ekowah Coffee, Xinewh:ding, Apsaalooke Immiio, and Indigi Arts are Dreamstarter founded and now operate independently and continue serving communities beyond their initial grants.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Dreamstarter honors the 7th Generation — those ensuring a thriving future for Native communities. From AI-powered language tools and food sovereignty gardens to maternal health programs and film collectives, they demonstrate that Native youth are not just dreaming — they are system builders.
Running Strong’s Dreamstarter Program has redefined Native youth empowerment — transforming small dreams into systems of change. Through mentorship, funding, and cultural reclamation, Dreamstarters have strengthened sovereignty, revitalized identity, and built self-sustaining solutions that continue to ripple through Indian Country — ensuring that the dreams of today become the strength of generations to come.
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.
Current Cycle
Applications for Dreamstarter Academy 2026: Food Sovereignty are open now, through January 3, 2026.
In 2025, we selected five Dreamstarters to receive $50,000 grants to expand upon their original dreams and create lasting impact for Indigenous communities.
Impact Level
Advanced funding for scaling proven community projects.
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.
