RFPs: Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes GYSD Grant Program (US and Canada)

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants 2026 support youth-led service projects during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day, focusing on empathy, inclusion, kindness, and connection. Grants of $250, $500, or $1,000 are available for community-impact projects designed and led by young people. Funded initiatives must take place between April 10 and May 10, 2026, with priority given to activities around Global Youth Service Day (April 24–26, 2026).

Overview of the Grant Programme

The Hershey Company, in partnership with Youth Service America (YSA), is offering the Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants to support youth-designed and youth-led projects during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day 2026.

The grants are designed to empower young people to lead meaningful service, advocacy, and community-building initiatives that promote empathy, inclusivity, and social connection.

A total of $50,000 is available to support projects across communities, with individual grants awarded based on youth participation levels.

Key Focus Areas and Themes

Projects must align with the core values of empathy, inclusion, kindness, and connection. Priority focus areas include:

• Promoting inclusion and celebrating diverse cultures

• Advancing racial equity and social justice

• Teaching empathy and kindness

• Creating welcoming and compassionate communities

• Protecting mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Addressing social isolation and loneliness

• Building intergenerational relationships

• Fostering meaningful peer and community connections

Applicants may propose other issue areas, provided that empathy, inclusivity, kindness, or connection remains a central goal.

Grant Amounts and Funding Structure

Available Grant Levels

• $250 grants for smaller youth-led initiatives

• $500 grants for mid-sized projects with broader engagement

• $1,000 grants for larger projects with higher youth participation

Grant amounts are determined based on the number of youth involved and the scale of the project.

Total Funding Pool

• Total funding available: $50,000

Funding supports project implementation, materials, outreach, and related community-impact costs.

Types of Projects Supported

The programme supports a wide range of youth-led initiatives, including:

Awareness and Education Activities

• Campaigns that educate communities and inspire positive behavior change

• Events that promote empathy, inclusion, or mental health awareness

Direct Service Projects

• Hands-on service activities that address community needs through youth time and talent

• Initiatives supporting vulnerable or underserved groups

Youth Philanthropy Projects

• Collecting and donating funds, supplies, or in-kind resources

• Community drives aligned with empathy and connection goals

Youth Voice and Advocacy Activities

• Nonpartisan forums, summits, and listening sessions

• Youth participation in public meetings or civic processes

• Leadership trainings and community assessments

• Advocacy gatherings that influence decision-makers without promoting specific candidates or legislation

Youth Leadership and Inclusion Requirements

All supported projects must:

• Be youth-designed and youth-led

• Intentionally bring together youth from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds

• Include first-time volunteers and young people who are often served but not asked to serve

• Foster meaningful relationships with peers, caring adults, and community partners

Inclusivity and collaboration are core evaluation criteria for funding.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be young people or youth-led groups proposing a community-based project

• Design and lead the project themselves, with adult support as needed

• Implement the project in the community where the youth applicant lives

• Commit to required orientation, planning, and reporting activities

Projects must be nonpartisan and community-focused.

Why This Grant Matters

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants play a critical role in:

• Empowering youth leadership and civic engagement

• Encouraging empathy-driven service and social connection

• Supporting mental health and community wellbeing

• Elevating youth voices in addressing real community challenges

• Building inclusive, kinder communities through youth action

By funding youth-led solutions, the programme strengthens long-term community resilience.

Timeline and Key Dates

• Youth Service Month: April 10 to May 10, 2026

• Global Youth Service Day: April 24 to April 26, 2026 (strongly encouraged)

• Notification of funding decisions: By April 1, 2026

• Orientation and final plan submission: Required before project implementation

• Final impact report deadline: By the end of May 2026

Projects must take place entirely within the eligible activity period.

How It Works: Step-by-Step

1. Design a youth-led project aligned with empathy, inclusion, or connection

2. Ensure the project brings together diverse youth participants

3. Plan activities to take place between April 10 and May 10, 2026

4. Apply for the appropriate grant amount based on youth participation

5. Await funding notification by April 1, 2026

6. Complete required orientation and submit final project plans

7. Implement the project during Youth Service Month

8. Submit a final report documenting outcomes and impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting adult-designed rather than youth-led projects

• Proposing activities outside the eligible project dates

• Failing to demonstrate inclusion of diverse youth groups

• Planning partisan political activities

• Overlooking the requirement to report on project impact

• Proposing projects without a clear community benefit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants?

Youth or youth-led groups proposing community-impact projects during Youth Service Month 2026.

Do projects have to take place on Global Youth Service Day?

Participation during April 24–26, 2026 is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

Can projects focus on issues outside the listed focus areas?

Yes, as long as empathy, inclusion, kindness, or connection is a core goal.

Are advocacy projects allowed?

Yes, nonpartisan youth advocacy and leadership activities are eligible.

How are grant amounts determined?

Grant size depends on the number of youth involved and the scale of the project.

Do projects need to involve diverse participants?

Yes, intentional inclusion of youth from different backgrounds is required.

Is reporting required after the project?

Yes, all grantees must submit a final impact report by the end of May 2026.

Conclusion

The Hershey Heartwarming Young Heroes Grants 2026 offer a powerful opportunity for young people to lead service projects that build empathy, inclusion, and connection in their communities.

By supporting youth-led action during Youth Service Month, the programme helps create kinder, more inclusive communities while empowering the next generation of leaders.