Kid Kindness Grants

Kid Kindness Grants support projects where children are directly involved in spreading kindness to people in their community. We do not fund projects where kids simply donate money or goods to another organization. We also do not fund projects focused on spreading kindness to animals. While those causes are meaningful, they are not the focus of this grant program.

• Applicants must be students in grades K–12.
• Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a group, such as friends, a classroom, school club, scout troop, sports team, or other youth group.
• All members of a group application must be students in grades K–12.
• Applicants must reside in the United States.
• Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on November 1.

• Individual applicants may request up to $250.
• Small groups of 2–4 kids may request up to $500.
• Large groups of 5 or more kids may request up to $800.
• Please request only the amount you truly need. Do not apply for the full amount simply because it is available. Kindness Grows Here may choose to fund a project at a lower amount if appropriate.

• The project must be the child’s idea and must be carried out by the student or students named in the application.
• The project must be kid-driven from start to finish. Adults may provide support, guidance, and supervision, but the core idea and work should come from the child or youth group.
• The application should be written in the child’s own words. If an adult adds information, the application must clearly identify which parts were written by the adult.
• All applications must include a detailed budget. Applications without a detailed budget will be disqualified.
• Funds must be used only for the project described in the application. No changes may be made without approval.

• Application quality: Is the application complete, detailed, thoughtful, and written primarily by the child applicant?
• Project impact: Will the project help people feel seen, valued, connected, or cared for?
• Fiscal responsibility: Are the requested funds necessary and reasonable? Does the budget show careful planning and responsible spending?
• Creativity: Does the project spread kindness in a thoughtful, unique, or creative way?
• Safety: Does the project include appropriate steps to keep everyone safe, especially if it serves people who may be vulnerable or at risk?
• Adult supervision: Does the application name a supervising adult who will help ensure the project is completed and that funds are used properly?

• We do not fund projects submitted only to complete a required assignment. The child applicant must be the driving force behind the idea, application, and project.
• No more than three students per classroom may submit applications.
• If approved, grant recipients must complete their kindness project by June 1 of the following year.
• Grant recipients will be asked to answer a few brief questions about their project while it is in progress. A questionnaire will be sent to the recipient and adult sponsor in the spring.

All Kid Kindness Grant recipients must submit a Project Completion Report to Kindness Grows Here by July 1 of the following year. The report may be written, recorded as a video, shared as a slideshow, or submitted in another approved format. It should explain:

• What it was like to complete the project;
• Who was impacted and how;
• How people responded;
• How the grant funds were spent; and
• Any additional information requested by Kindness Grows Here.

Kindness Grows Here, Inc. provides funding for approved projects but is not responsible for carrying out, supervising, or obtaining permissions for any project funded through this program. Submitting an application indicates agreement to this waiver of liability. All grant recipients must sign an official Waiver of Liability before funds are distributed.

Winning applications do not need to describe large or complicated projects. We are always excited to fund simple, meaningful ideas that show a child’s sincere desire to spread kindness. Share as much detail as you can—we would rather receive too much information than not enough.

You can find a list of last year’s winners here. At the bottom of that page, you will also find common application pitfalls to avoid. We encourage all applicants to review past funded projects for inspiration—but please be creative and do not simply copy an idea that has already been done.

Good luck! We cannot wait to see the kindness ideas you bring to life.