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Dream Big! Application

What would you do with $5,000 to make Milwaukee better?

In celebration of 15 years of service, Lead2Change is bringing back DreamBig! DreamBig! is a grant program of Lead2Change that awards youth groups a $5,000 grant for the best response to the question: “What would you do with $5,000 to make Milwaukee Better?”

Applicants must live in Milwaukee, be 19 years old or younger, and have a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization to manage the funds. Adults may guide, but cannot complete the application or participate in the interview process. Projects must take place in the city of Milwaukee and fit into one of the following categories: Health & Wellness, STEM (Science, technology, engineering and math) or Arts and Culture.

DREAMBIG! GRANT GUIDELINES:
YOUTH LED: Youth up to the age 19 must create the project, prepare the application, present their ideas to Lead2Change Dreambuilders and implement the project once it is funded.
COMMUNITY: The project’s main goal is to involve youth in community service projects within the city of Milwaukee that answer the question, “What would you do with $5,000 to make Milwaukee better?”
STRATEGY: The project should clearly state the desired outcomes and the strategies for achieving them.
RESEARCH: The project’s idea should be thoroughly researched, and that research should be incorporated into the project.
TIME: Projects must be complete and final reports submitted by December 1st, 2026.

Selected applicants will be invited to present on July 16th, 2026. Lead2Change DreamBuilders will contact youth with the date and time of interview. Youth presenters must:
1. Have a visual aid as part of their presentation
2. Have at least two youth representatives
3. The presentation must be five to seven minutes long.

Application Process:
1. Applications must be submitted by July 6th, 2026.
2. Applicants are required to make a formal presentation of their project to Lead2Change DreamBuilders on July 16th, 2026.
3. A celebration of the DreamBig! grant recipients will be held on July 30th, 2026, where winners will be announced.
* *Please note, youth representatives must be present at the event to receive the DreamBig! grant. Applicants who are not present will forfeit the opportunity to receive funding.
1.Please share the name of your project?
2.Name of Youth Applicant (Two youth representatives are required for the application).
3.Age
4.Phone Number
5.Home Address
6.Email Address
7.Name of Second Youth Applicant
8.Age
9.Phone Number
10.Address
11.Email Address
12.Organization Name: Project funds will be disbursed to a nonprofit organization in good standing. At the end of the application, applicants will be required to submit a year to date balance sheet, profit and loss statement, list of board of directors and proof of good standing from Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution.

Please list the nonprofit that will serve as the fiscal agent for your project.
13.Adult Contact Name
14.Title
15.Work Phone
16.Organization Address
17.Email Address
18.How many youth will be involved in your project?
19.Age range of youth in group?
20.Which focus area(s) does your project address? Select all that apply.
21.Please give a detailed description of your project. In your description, please tell how what the project will accomplish and be sure to share how this project will make Milwaukee better.
22.What role will the youth take in this project? What are your exact responsibilities?
23.How is your group researching the project? Please give some examples of what you have learned and how those facts apply to your project.
24.What are your project goals? Please at least two measurable goals.
25.How do you plan to accomplish the goals outlined above?
26.Is your project led by youth?
27.Does your project take place in the city of Milwaukee?
28.What is the expected completion date for your project? Please note that projects must be completed and final reports submitted by December 1st.
29.Budget: Please upload the provided budget document that outlines how you plan to spend the funds.

Lead2Change, Inc. will not fund the following: professional fees that are more than 25% of the budget, internal staff time, student stipends, scholarships, support of individuals, monetary donations to other organizations, fundraisers, paying debt, starting or supporting a business and administrative fees for the fiscal agent.