Deadline:

Jan 23, 2008 - Closed

Program Area:

Vulnerable Populations

Purpose:

Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation, an online, open source competition co-sponsored by RWJF's Vulnerable Populations Portfolio and Changemakers, looks to identify the most innovative approaches to help young men ages 15 to 25 fulfill their potential and become healthy, successful adults. From dancing as means to address domestic violence to using music to promote improved mental health, an increasing number of programs are finding new ways to meet pressing societal problems faced by today's young men.

Young men are increasingly at risk of suffering from societal problems of gangs, addiction, crime, violence and mental health problems. These challenges are often the greatest for young men of color in the United States where traditional education, juvenile justice system and health care system are not consistently providing them with the support they need to develop successful adult lives.

To learn more about how RWJF and Changemakers have framed this issue, visit the competition mosaic.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria:

The competition is open to all types of organizations (charitable organizations, private companies or public entities) from all countries.  

To learn more about competition eligibility and selection criteria, visit the competition guidelines and assessment.

Key Dates:

• Entry Period—Entries are accepted through January 23, 2008, 6 p.m. EST.
• Finalist Selection—There will be a four-week review period following the entry deadline, during which the Young Men at Risk judging panel will narrow the entry pool to approximately 12 finalists.
• Voting—After the finalists are announced, there will be a two-week period for the Changemakers community to vote online to select three award winners. Competition winners will be announced March 11, 2008.

Total Award:

• Three competition winners will each receive $5,000 from Changemakers.
• Following the competition, selected entries will be invited to submit proposals to RWJF's Vulnerable Populations Portfolio for future funding consideration. Up to $1 million in grants will be available to support promising innovations from organizations operating in the United States or its territories.