You might think a few hundred dollars can’t spark meaningful change—but with the Hershey Foundation Heartwarming Action Grants Program, that’s exactly what youth-led initiatives are doing across the U.S. and Canada. When you bring together 25 or 50 young volunteers to focus on social connection and emotional well-being, these small grants become powerful tools for creating inclusive, empathetic communities. But the real question is—how will you lead that change in your own community?
Key Takeaways
- The Hershey Foundation Heartwarming Action Grants offer youth-led grants of $250 or $500 for projects enhancing social connection and emotional well-being among ages 5 to 25 in the U.S. and Canada.
- Grants require engaging 25+ youth volunteers for $250 or 50+ for $500, with projects promoting inclusivity, social awareness, and collaboration with community organizations.
- Projects must occur during Youth Service Month (April 11 – May 11, 2025) and include activities aligned with Global Youth Service Day (April 25-27, 2025).
- Eligible initiatives focus on youth empowerment, health and wellness, environmental sustainability, and fostering relationship-building skills.
- The program supports community impact and recognition by empowering youth to drive positive change and promoting ongoing social responsibility and empathy.
Grant Overview and Eligibility
Although many grants require prior invitations, the Hershey Heartwarming Action Grants Program offers youth-led grants of $250 or $500 to projects promoting social connection and emotional well-being for youth aged 5 to 25 in the U.S. and Canada.
The grant benefits include funding projects that engage 25 or more youth volunteers for $250 and 50 or more for $500, encouraging collaboration with community organizations.
Project examples include workshops, events, or advocacy activities that foster social awareness, inclusivity, and relationship-building during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day.
Application Process and Deadlines
You’ll need to submit your Hershey Foundation grant application by March 16, 2025, at 11:59 pm local time to be considered.
After applying, expect notifications by late March, with an orientation scheduled for April 1 for all grantees.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for the Hershey Foundation Heartwarming Action Grants is March 16, 2025, at 11:59 pm local time, so you’ll need to submit your materials before then to be considered.
For successful application tips, verify you meet all eligibility criteria and submit a thorough proposal.
Remember, this is an essential deadline reminder: once the deadline passes, late applications won’t be accepted.
Make certain to review all application requirements carefully to avoid any issues.
Notification Timeline
Once you submit your application by March 16, 2025, expect to hear back about your grant status by late March.
This notification process guarantees you’re informed promptly about the outcome of your submission. The grant announcement will communicate whether you’ve been selected as a grantee, allowing you to prepare for next steps.
If awarded, you’ll be required to attend a one-hour orientation on April 1, 2025, to get you started.
Staying attentive to this timeline is key to managing your project schedule and meeting all program requirements efficiently.
Orientation Requirements
Although the application deadline for the Hershey Heartwarming Action Grants is March 16, 2025, at 11:59 pm local time, you must be ready to attend a mandatory one-hour orientation shortly after notification of grant awards.
Once selected, you’ll receive an invitation to this required session, scheduled for April 1, 2025; mark your calendar, as participation is a critical step in securing your grant.
Orientation logistics will be shared directly with grantees—check your email promptly for details and confirm your attendance when requested.
Skipping this meeting may jeopardize your grant status, so prioritize confirming your participation to move your project forward.
Project Requirements and Guidelines
When considering a project for the Hershey Foundation Grants Program, you must meet specific requirements that focus on youth engagement and community impact.
To foster project creativity and volunteer motivation, guarantee your initiative aligns with the following guidelines:
- Engage at least 25 or 50 youth volunteers for $250 or $500 grants.
- Projects must occur during Youth Service Month (April 11 – May 11, 2025).
- Collaborate with community organizations.
- Include activities on Global Youth Service Day (April 25-27, 2025).
- Foster social awareness and relationship-building skills.
Thematic Areas of Focus
You’ll find the Hershey Foundation Grants Program centers on three key themes to fuel your project’s impact:
Youth Empowerment Initiatives, Health and Wellness Programs, and Environmental Sustainability Efforts.
These focus areas guide you in shaping projects that build social skills, promote wellbeing, and encourage ecological responsibility.
Aligning your proposal with one or more of these themes increases its relevance and potential to connect with your community.
Youth Empowerment Initiatives
Because the Hershey Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Initiatives center on cultivating social and emotional skills, they actively promote empathy, inclusion, and leadership among youth within their communities.
- Motivate youth leadership: Grants empower you to develop and lead local projects—like Michigan’s “Project Youth4Youth” or Minnesota’s “Personal Care Kits for Homelessness”—tailored to address real community needs while building planning and service skills.
- Foster empathy and inclusion: You’re encouraged to design initiatives that break down barriers, celebrate diversity, and create supportive, kind environments in schools and neighborhoods.
- Engage diverse volunteers: The program values projects that unite youth from varied backgrounds, amplifying your impact through community collaboration.
- Build collaboration: You work alongside peers and community organizations, gaining hands-on experience in teamwork and collective problem-solving.
- Scale positive change: In 2024 alone, 134 youth changemakers received grants, proving that your ideas—when supported—can spark meaningful, lasting transformation across communities.
Health and Wellness Programs
Health and wellness programs supported by the Hershey Foundation improve mental wellbeing for children and teens by fostering social and emotional skills through hands-on, community-driven projects.
These initiatives focus on community engagement, helping young people develop essential life skills. For example, community projects like “Welcome to Boston Cards & Card Packages” and initiatives in North Carolina highlight the importance of creating inclusive environments.
Environmental Sustainability Efforts
As you investigate programs that promote community well-being, your focus shifts to initiatives that cultivate a strong connection between youth and the environment.
The Hershey Foundation supports youth activism by funding projects that foster sustainable practices and ecological awareness. These grants back youth-led efforts that empower peers and improve local ecosystems through practical engagement.
- Engage youth in environmental stewardship through hands-on projects
- Support community greening activities like tree planting and gardening
- Promote education emphasizing sustainability and climate action
- Encourage youth to lead and advocate for environmental preservation
- Fund initiatives like “Teaching Boys to Change the World” and “EcoMind: Planting Hope”
This focus strengthens young leaders ready to fight for a sustainable future.
Community Impact and Recognition
Though you mightn’t always see headlines about local kindness initiatives, the Heartwarming Action Grants program quietly transforms communities by empowering hundreds of teens each year to turn their ideas into action—one $250 grant at a time.
These youth initiatives earn community recognition for fostering connection, empathy, and inclusion. By supporting projects like hygiene kits for foster teens and community cleanups, the program promotes social awareness and builds meaningful relationships, significantly impacting local communities and acknowledging the positive role of youth in driving change.
Past Grantee Highlights and Success Stories
The Hershey Heartwarming Action Grants Program has empowered youth across the U.S. and Canada to lead impactful community projects, demonstrating the transformative power of youth-driven change.
Past grantees have showcased remarkable youth leadership and project innovation.
Consider these highlights:
- STEM for social good initiatives
- “Mix it Up” events fostering inclusion
- Mental health projects
- Environmental awareness campaigns
- Community support programs.
These projects have engaged children in meaningful actions, showcasing the positive influence of youth-led community service.
Youth Engagement and Empowerment Initiatives
Youth engagement takes center stage in The Hershey Foundation’s Heartwarming Project through grants that empower teens to lead initiatives fostering connection, empathy, and inclusion in their communities.
By supporting your ideas—from STEM initiatives to service-learning activities—the program invests in youth leadership and community collaboration, challenging you to rally peers and create real impact.
You’re not just applying for funding; you’re shaping projects that address social isolation, celebrate diversity, and build essential social-emotional skills for yourself and others.
These experiences strengthen bonds, build empathy, and prepare you to plunge into positive change, both now and in the future.
Partnerships and Community Support
By connecting with local organizations and community leaders, you’ll amplify both the reach and effectiveness of your Heartwarming Action Grant project—turning a vision into lasting change.
Community collaboration is key to developing social responsibility and creating sustainable impact. When you engage diverse partners, you:
- Strengthen youth-led initiatives with expert guidance
- Access additional resources beyond the grant
- Build networks of caring adults and community allies
- Guarantee inclusive participation, especially from marginalized groups
- Create lasting local partnerships that sustain your project’s progress
These connections not only expand your project’s impact but foster a supportive environment for meaningful youth-driven change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Hershey Company Charitable Donation Program?
You’ll discover The Hershey Company’s charitable donation program through its Hershey philanthropy, focusing on community outreach by supporting education and youth development initiatives to foster inclusive environments for youth.
Who Inherited Milton Hershey’s Fortune?
You see that Milton Hershey’s fortune was inherited by the Milton Hershey School Trust, which he established to guarantee his legacy continued to benefit underprivileged children, cementing his philanthropic legacy.
Is Hershey an Ethical Company?
Yes, Hershey demonstrates corporate responsibility by pursuing ethical sourcing—pledging 100% certified cocoa by 2025—and supports worker livelihoods, while also reducing emissions and backing youth wellness programs that model empathy and inclusion in communities.
How Can Hershey Foods Raise Funds to Expand Their Business?
You can sweeten your fundraising strategies by cooking up community partnerships that double as exclusive promotions, digital campaigns, and co-branded events—because nothing raises cash like cashing in on loyal fans and influencer buzz.
Conclusion
You hold the power to turn sparks into a blazing community fire with the Hershey Foundation Heartwarming Action Grants Program. By leading inclusive projects that nurture connection and empathy, you can inspire real change and build lasting bonds among youth. Don’t wait—grab this chance to amplify your voice, rally peers, and craft a kinder, more connected world during Youth Service Month. Your idea could light up many lives and start a ripple that never fades.