1) 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.

2) Your proposed project must follow one of the 3 prompts. You may work within any style and with any medium you like, but the completed project must be reflective of one of the 3 listed prompts.

3) You must meet minimum age requirements. INDIVIDUALS applying must be at least 18 years of age. If you are applying with a partnering NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION you must be at least 15 years of age to apply.

4) You must use grant funds appropriately. Grant monies are to be used for you to complete this project, funds should be spent on things like: supplies, materials, and equipment; Workshops and seminars; professional development; stipends for cultural bearers, ect. Have a question on what spending is eligible? Email us at Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org

• March 1, 2024 – Applications Open

• May 3, 2024 – Applications Due at 11:59pm EST

• May 31, 2024 – Successful Grantees Notified

• June 17, 2024 – Awards Distributed

• December 15, 2024 – Program Update Due

• June 30, 2025 – Grant Period End (All funds must be used by this date)

• August 15, 2025 – Final Grant Report Due

Please make sure to have the following items available, these items will need to be submitted in order for you application to be reviewed.

1) Grant Budget and Budget Narrative Please include a detailed budget of how you will spend grant monies.
For a grant budget template visit bit.ly/DSCreativeBudgetTemplate

2) Grant Narrative Please explain how you will complete this project. What would be the impact/significance of this project?

3) W9 If you have chosen to have the grant monies disbursed to you, an INDIVIDUAL, you must submit a personal W9. If you have chosen for the grant monies to be disbursed to a partnering ORGANIZATION, you must submit the Organization’s W9.

4) Artwork Samples Please submit 3-5 photo samples of your previous works, in the medium you intend to use with this project.

5) Headshot Please submit a headshot that you are willing to share on social media. Successful applicant’s photos and a brief bio will be shared on Running Strong’s website/social media pages.

6) Tribal Enrollment Documentation Be prepared to share documentation of your tribal enrollment at the time of application submittal.

7) Optional Documents/Photos You have the opportunity to submit 2 additional attachments. This could be pictures of other works you have completed, shows you have participated in, photos of you in action, letters of recommendation anything that you feel would strengthen your application.

Please select 1 of the 3 art prompts that you will focus on throughout your grant year (May 2024-June 2025). This year’s selections will focus on Native storytelling. Choose a prompt that sparks your creativity! Need clarification on a prompt? Email us: Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org

A selection of works that focuses on Traditional stories, storytelling ways, creation stories, etc.. 

A selection of works that focuses on contemporary stories, family stories, biographies, Urban stories, etc..

A selection of works that focuses on the future of Native story telling, futuristic images, fiction stories, etc..