The Dreamstarter program was launched in 2015 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Billy Mills’ historic Olympic victory. Dreamstarter is designed to give back to Indian Country by investing in perhaps the most valuable resource in America — our Native youth. Since 2015, ten Native youth (along with the local nonprofit of their choice) have been selected each year to receive funding for and mentorship in implementing projects of meaningful change, inspired by their dreams, in their communities.
Each year, we orient our work around a new theme — a question, a calling, a thread that ties the cohort together. From pre-dental school workshops and local powwows to an immersive Indigenous language camp or a Native owned coffee roastery, there is community action for every Dream — and a Dream in every Native youth! If you have a dream that uplifts your community, in any sense of the word, we want to hear from you.
Dreamstarter Youth Leadership Development applications open each August for emerging youth Leaders and their non-profit partners to apply for $20,000 in grant funds to support their dreams for their community. Applications close the first week of the new year; successful applicants are generally notified by mid February as the new class of Dreamstarters and their Mentors plan to attend the Dreamstarter Academy in April.
