Riley’s Way Call For Kindness Fellowship Program in the US

In addition to the general category, at least ten projects specifically focused on the special topic: educational equity, to address the growing need for solutions in this critical space.

Categories

Your project can fall under one of the following categories:

• General Application: This category is for projects focused on any issue area besides the special topic. Up to 29 projects will be awarded in the General Category.
• Special Topic: This category is for projects focused on the 2023 special topic: Educational Equity. Up to 10 projects will be awarded in the Special topic.
• Yuriko Kikuchi Arigato Award: This category is for projects that have a focus in the dance/arts field. They will be awarding one award in this category.

Funding Information

• Riley’s Way will award up to 40 youth-led projects in 2024. Twenty-five start-up grants of up to $5,000 and 15-grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded.

Pillars

The Riley’s Way Call For Kindness offers a robust Leadership Development Fellowship for participants of the winning projects. The three pillars of the Fellowship focus on:

• Skill Building – Riley’s Way provides workshops and professional development opportunities designed to enhance Fellow’s leadership and project management skills. Individual skill-building training may vary each year as they tailor the experience and sessions based on the interests and needs of each cohort.
• Inclusive Community – Inclusive community is at the heart of Riley’s Way. Over the year-long Fellowship, participants will learn how to share their stories, strengthen their networking skills, and become part of a national network of like-minded youth, adults, and experts who inspire and support them. This network will continue long past the end of the Fellowship and will be a support and resource as Fellows move forward in their careers.
• Project Support – Through the Call For Kindness, Riley’s Way offers direct financial support for projects and 1:1 project support, mentoring, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Staff members are available for bi-weekly one-on-one conversations and support. Fellows also get support, ideas, and encouragement from current and prior Fellows in group brainstorms and problem-solving sessions. This year, in addition to staff support, Riley’s Way will pair each project with a mentor for the year. Mentors include inspiring leaders in nonprofit or industry, past C4K Fellows, Riley’s Way staff or Board members, and subject matter experts.

Fellowship Expectations

• The Call For Kindness program is more than the grant, it is a life-long community of other young changemakers. By becoming a Call For Kindness Fellow, you are part of a Leadership Development community that learns from, helps, and inspires each other. During the year, you will learn from experts, peers, and mentors about a variety of topics, and become a part of a cohort of like-minded peers.
• In order to get the most out of the Fellowship and build a strong peer community of practice, the expectations of participating in the Call For Kindness Leadership Development Fellowship include:
• Attend a monthly 60-minute virtual meeting, scheduled to occur on the second Thursday of each month, starting on May 11, 2024 (subject to change).
• At least one representative (up to 4) from your project attends the in-person Call For Kindness Leadership Retreat over a weekend in February 2025.
• Attend quarterly meetings with Riley’s Way staff and/or your assigned mentor.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any US citizen or DACA recipient between the ages of 13-22 can apply. Applicants must reside in the United States.
• You can apply as an individual or as a group. If you are applying as a group, you only need to submit one application.

For more information, visit Riley’s Way Foundation.