Deadline: 19-May-2026
The Express Yourself Challenge funds innovative solutions that help young people build confidence, identity, and safety in digital environments. It provides grants between $50,000 and $100,000 to nonprofit organizations addressing issues like norm pressure, gendered content, and online harms. Projects must be youth-centered, co-designed with young people, and focused on measurable wellbeing outcomes.
What is the Express Yourself Challenge?
The Express Yourself Challenge is a funding initiative designed to support youth-focused solutions that strengthen identity, belonging, and agency in a digitally shaped world.
It responds to the growing impact of digital platforms, algorithms, and online social norms on how young people experience themselves and others.
Core Objective
- Help youth navigate identity and belonging online and offline
- Address digital harms and social pressures
- Support innovative, youth-centered interventions
Key Focus Areas
Projects must address at least one of the following:
1. Norm Pressure and Identity Stress
- Social comparison driven by online platforms
- Pressure to conform to digital trends and expectations
- Impacts on self-esteem and mental wellbeing
2. Harmful Gendered Narratives and Content
- Stereotypes and biased portrayals
- Gender-based online messaging
- Content affecting girls, boys, and gender-diverse youth differently
3. Tech-Facilitated Harms and Loss of Safety
- Cyberbullying and harassment
- Exposure to harmful or unsafe content
- Privacy and safety concerns in digital spaces
Projects must be tailored for:
- Girls
- Boys
- Trans and gender-expansive youth
Key Concept: Digital Tension
A central idea in this challenge is digital tension.
Definition
Digital tension refers to:
- The conflict between wanting to disconnect from digital spaces
- And the pressure to stay constantly connected for social belonging
Why It Matters
Young people often:
- Feel overwhelmed by online expectations
- Struggle to balance digital and real-world identities
- Experience stress from constant connectivity
The challenge seeks solutions that help youth:
- Manage this tension
- Build healthy digital habits
- Strengthen self-confidence
Funding Details
- Total funding pool: Over $1.5 million
- Number of grants: 10+ organizations
- Grant size: $50,000 to $100,000
- Funding type: Project-based grants
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
- Fiscally sponsored projects under such nonprofits
Partnerships
- Collaborative proposals are encouraged
- Partnerships between organizations are allowed
Key Requirement
- Projects must be co-designed or co-led with young people
Leadership
- Can be led by individuals of any age
- Must demonstrate clear youth wellbeing outcomes
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
Strong proposals typically:
- Address real digital challenges faced by youth
- Offer practical, scalable solutions
- Focus on mental health, identity, and safety
- Include youth participation in design and execution
- Show measurable impact
How the Challenge Works
Step 1: Identify the Problem
- Focus on a specific digital challenge
- Link it to youth identity, safety, or wellbeing
Step 2: Design a Solution
- Develop an innovative intervention
- Ensure it directly addresses digital tension or related issues
Step 3: Engage Young People
- Co-create the project with youth
- Include them in decision-making and implementation
Step 4: Define Outcomes
- Set clear, measurable goals
- Focus on confidence, belonging, and agency
Step 5: Submit Proposal
- Apply through the official process
- Include all required documentation
Why This Challenge Matters
This initiative addresses a critical global issue:
- Young people are deeply influenced by digital environments
- Online spaces shape identity, behavior, and mental health
- There is a growing need for safe, inclusive digital experiences
The challenge supports solutions that:
- Empower youth
- Reduce harm
- Promote healthy digital engagement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not involving young people in project design
- Proposing generic or unclear solutions
- Ignoring the concept of digital tension
- Weak or missing impact measurement
- Failing to address specific target groups (girls, boys, gender-diverse youth)
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define the problem and target group
- Show youth leadership and participation
- Provide evidence-based insights
- Focus on practical and scalable solutions
- Include a strong monitoring and evaluation plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available per project?
Each selected project can receive between $50,000 and $100,000.
2. Who can apply for the challenge?
Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and fiscally sponsored projects are eligible.
3. Are partnerships allowed?
Yes. Collaborative proposals are encouraged.
4. What is “digital tension”?
It is the conflict between wanting to disconnect from digital spaces and feeling pressured to stay connected.
5. Is youth involvement mandatory?
Yes. Projects must be co-designed or co-led with young people.
6. What issues should projects address?
Norm pressure, gendered content, and tech-enabled harms affecting youth.
7. How many organizations will be funded?
More than 10 organizations will receive funding.
Conclusion
The Express Yourself Challenge is a forward-looking initiative that supports innovative, youth-driven solutions to complex digital challenges. By focusing on identity, safety, and wellbeing, it aims to help young people thrive in an increasingly connected world.
For more information, visit Young Futures Fund.
