Created by Unity Church of Ames and funded by “love offerings” from Ames Interfaith Community

Dream Seed is offering grants up to $300 to youth who have high hopes and big dreams for their future!

The focus of a young person's use of Dream Seed funds is to assist in the transition to adult life, including the desire to make a positive contribution to society in realizing an individual dream. This may include pursuing a personal goal related to career, educational or community betterment/development goals.

The Dream Seed fund is not to meet basic needs for living or to support therapy or other mental health needs. While a youth's particular spiritual path may be of supreme importance that is also not the focus of Dream Seed. For these needs, youth are encouraged to access funding streams connected with the particular areas.

Eligible applicants are youth throughout Iowa age 16 and older who are participating in the Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) Program and youth participating in the Iowa Aftercare Services Network. Grant applications must be received no later than March 31 , 2026. Awards will be determined by April 9, 2026 and you will be notified that day regarding your request to receive a Dream Seed grant.

Dream Seed would like you to think about your immediate future; something that you want to be when you grow up or something you want to excel at. What can you start working on now? The money needs to be used to purchase something you can use to better yourself or give you a better chance of being successful in your dream.

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* 1. Name

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* 2. Today's date

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* 3. Requested Dream seed amount: (Maximum is $300)

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* 4. Contact information

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* 5. Age

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* 6. Current grade in school

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* 7. Are you in Aftercare or AMP? If so, please name your Aftercare worker or the AMP council you participate in.

Mentors will provide support and are required through this process.
We would like your mentor to be a positive influence in your life and/or a positive member of the community you live in. Your mentor can be your AMP facilitator, Aftercare Advocate or a community member approved by your AMP facilitator or Aftercare Advocate.

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* 8. Mentor information

Below are examples of what you may have dreamed about doing for a long time or what you currently want to do; please think about your likes and interests. Think about the steps to take to get you closer to that dream becoming a reality and the supplies you will need for your dream to come true:
  • Play Basketball or any sport - basketball, bag, shoes, clothes and a water bottle, classes
  • Professional Photographer- camera, case, batteries, charger, extra lens, tripod, light etc.
  • Artist or get into Art school- art supplies, case, canvases, easel and books
  • Go to College - computer, backpack, supplies and calculator
Please answer the following questions to help you identify your dream.

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* 9. If you could be anything in the world when you grow up, what would you be?

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* 10. Why?

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* 11. What are your hobbies (things you like doing regularly for fun)?

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* 12. If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?

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* 13. Do you take any special lessons outside of school (music, sports, dance, acting, singing)?

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* 14. What is your favorite sport/extracurricular activity? (Ex. Softball, dance, photography, hunting, etc.) What kind of activities do you like to do all by yourself?

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* 15. What is your favorite TV show and why?

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* 16. What is your favorite movie of all time?

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* 17. What is your favorite animal? Why?

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* 18. What is your favorite food?

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* 19. If you could be like any one great person, whom would you choose, and why?

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* 20. What do you do at home when you have time to do anything you wish?

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* 21. Set a goal for yourself regarding school in the coming year. Be specific (something other than “getting better grades”).

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* 22. What class or classes do you like the most in school?

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* 23. What is your favorite book of all time? Why?

Grants will be awarded based on your answers to the questions below. Please be VERY specific as the donors of these funds would love to know how you will use them to support your dreams.

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* 24. Describe a time when you had an obstacle that stood in the way of a dream and how you overcame the obstacle.

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* 25. What is your dream?

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* 26. What are the steps you need to take to reach your dream?

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* 27. In what specific ways will you use the Dream Seed money to fund your dream, or what specific items would you plan to purchase with these funds to support your dream? (Ex. If you would like to use these funds for college, what will you buy and how will it be used - laptop, books, paying for classes?)

We hope that you will complete this 2025 Dream Seed Grant Application to take a step towards reaching your dream!
You may email Laticia Aossey at laossey@yss.org to ask any questions you have relating to the Dream Seed Grant.

If you are awarded a grant, you will be expected to make significant strides in reaching your dream between August 8, 2025 and February 2, 2026. As it is important to share your “dream” with the community to inspire others; after August 15, 2025 an email will be sent to you to request a report regarding the progress you have made to reach your dream. If you do not respond to the email, you will be contacted via phone. Also, if possible please share a photo of yourself and anything you purchased with your Dream Seed grant, to share with our generous donors.

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