SONA 2024 Youth Innovation Grant Cohort

SONA 2024 Youth Innovation Grant Cohort

Welcome to the 2024 SONA Youth Innovation Grant Cohort Application.

Youth innovation grants are awarded to leaders ages 14-25 across the globe who plan and implement projects promoting inclusion in their communities. Grants are awarded in amounts ranging from $500-$2000.

SONA is now accepting submissions for the 2024-2025 pilot learning cohort until September 23, 2024 at 11:59PM EST. This cohort experience consists of live training sessions, networking sessions, independent learning, and real-world project execution to build inclusive youth leadership skills in each individual and as the Unified Generation. Our first session will meet Thursday Oct. 3 at 7:00 pm EST. Please save the date, if you are accepted you are expected to attend.

Moving forward, sessions will be Thursdays at 7:00PM EST weekly in the first semester (October- December) and bi-weekly in the second semester (January - June). Exceptions do apply, including holidays. All of our meetings are virtual.

Please write and save your answers in a Google or Word Document, then copy and paste them into the form. The form must be completed in one sitting and DOES NOT SAVE PROGRESS.

If you need any assistance completing this application, please contact Eliana Neuwirth at eneuwirth@specialolympics.org

Special Olympics Program*

Select or enter value

Which of the following describes you?*

Select

How many youth leaders are applying together?*

Up to 4 youth leaders may apply together on this form to be considered as a project group

Select

First (Given) Name of the First Youth Leader*

Last (Family) Name of the First Youth Leader*

Email Address of the First Youth Leader*

Please provide a personal email address, NOT a school email address.

Date of Birth of the First Youth Leader (month/day/year)*

Is the first youth leader between the ages of 14 and 25?*

Select

Please indicate the gender identity of the first youth leader.*

Select

Where is the first youth leader currently located?*

(city/town)

What language does the first youth leader primarily use at home?*

Select the box(es) that represent the racial/ethnic identity of the first youth leader*

Select or enter value

Is the first youth leader currently a student?*

Select

What is the full name of current school or the last school attended by the first youth leader?*

Does the first youth leader have an intellectual disability?*

Select

Does the first youth leader have a sibling with an intellectual disability?*

Select

First Youth Leader - Please write a brief personal bio containing the following information:*

What is your preferred name?

What are your favorite sports or activities?

How are you connected to or involved with Special Olympics?

What does inclusion mean to you?

What inspires you or motivates you to be a youth leader promoting inclusion in your community?

What are 3 things you are really proud of?

Tell us about a dream you want to accomplish.

Example:

My name is Michael, but I go by Mike. My favorite sports are basketball and swimming. I have been playing Unified Basketball for 4 years. To me, inclusion means that everyone is valued for who they are, like on my basketball team. All of us are important members of the team, and we have to work together to win games! I have Down syndrome. People that don't know me always assume that I can't do things that people without Down syndrome can do. I want to show them that I can do great things and so can other people with intellectual disabilities. For example, I have the best free throw of anyone on my team and I scored the winning point in our last game. I am proud that I am a good friend, a hard worker, and that I won an MVP medal in my basketball league. My dream is to continue playing basketball when I go to college next year.

First Youth Leader - Please share why you are interested in this leadership experience and what skills you hope to learn or practice.*

Example:

I am interested in this experience because I am passionate about inclusion and want to meet other youth leaders who have the same passion while I improve my skills. I would like to learn about budgeting for an event, so I can plan a something special for my school.

First Youth Leader - By marking this box, I am consenting to receiving communications from Special Olympics (like newsletters and announcements). I understand I can unsubscribe any time.*

Select

I as the parent/legal guardian of the first youth leader confirm that I have read the Parent Release document.*

The Parent Release document was linked in the "How to Apply" instruction page. If you still need to read the document, it is linked here. Please remember that this form CAN NOT SAVE PROGRESS and clicking away from this tab may lose your submission.

Select

Parent/Guardian Virtual Signature*

First (Given) Name of the Second Youth Leader*

Last (Family) Name of the Second Youth Leader*

Email Address of the Second Youth Leader*

Please provide a personal email address, NOT a school email address.

Date of Birth of the Second Youth Leader (month/day/year)*

Is the first youth leader between the ages of 14 and 25?*

Select

Please indicate the gender identity of the second youth leader.*

Select

Where is the second youth leader currently located?*

(city/town)

What language does the second youth leader primarily use at home?*

Select the box(es) that represent the racial/ethnic identity of the second youth leader*

Select or enter value

Is the second youth leader currently a student?*

Select

What is the full name of current school or the last school attended by the second youth leader?*

Does the second youth leader have an intellectual disability?*

Select

Does the second youth leader have a sibling with an intellectual disability?*

Select or enter value

Second Youth Leader - Please write a brief personal bio containing the following information:*

What is your preferred name?

What are your favorite sports or activities?

How are you connected to or involved with Special Olympics?

What does inclusion mean to you?

What inspires you or motivates you to be a youth leader promoting inclusion in your community?

What are 3 things you are really proud of?

Tell us about a dream you want to accomplish.

Example:

Second Youth Leader - Please share why you are interested in this leadership experience and what skills you hope to learn or practice.*

Example:

Second Youth Leader - By marking this box, I am consenting to receiving communications from Special Olympics (like newsletters and announcements). I understand I can unsubscribe any time.*

Select

I as the parent/legal guardian of the second youth leader confirm that I have read the Parent Release document.*

The Parent Release document was linked in the "How to Apply" instruction page. If you still need to read the document, it is linked here. Please remember that this form CAN NOT SAVE PROGRESS and clicking away from this tab may lose your submission.

Select or enter value

Second Youth Leader - Parent/Guardian Virtual Signature*

First (Given) Name of the Third Youth Leader*

Last (Family) Name of the Third Youth Leader*

Email Address of the Third Youth Leader*

Please provide a personal email address, NOT a school email address.

Date of Birth of the Third Youth Leader (month/day/year)*

Is the third youth leader between the ages of 14 and 25?*

Select

Please indicate the gender identity of the third youth leader.*

Select

Where is the third youth leader currently located?*

(city/state)

What language does the third youth leader primarily use at home?*

Select the box(es) that represent the racial/ethnic identity of the third youth leader*

Select or enter value

Is the third youth leader currently a student?*

Select

What is the full name of current school or the last school attended by the third youth leader?*

Does the third youth leader have an intellectual disability?*

Select

Does the third youth leader have a sibling with an intellectual disability?*

Select

Third Youth Leader:*

What is your preferred name?

What are your favorite sports or activities?

How are you connected to or involved with Special Olympics?

What does inclusion mean to you?

What inspires you or motivates you to be a youth leader promoting inclusion in your community?

What are 3 things you are really proud of?

Tell us about a dream you want to accomplish.

Example:

Third Youth Leader - Please share why you are interested in this leadership experience and what skills you hope to learn or practice.*

Example:

Third Youth Leader - By marking this box, I am consenting to receiving communications from Special Olympics (like newsletters and announcements). I understand I can unsubscribe any time.*

Select

I as the parent/legal guardian of the third youth leader confirm that I have read the Parent Release document.*

Select

Third Youth Leader - Parent/Guardian Virtual Signature*

First (Given) Name of the Fourth Youth Leader*

Last (Family) Name of the Fourth Youth Leader*

Email Address of the Fourth Youth Leader*

Please provide a personal email address, NOT a school email address.

Date of Birth of the Fourth Youth Leader (month/day/year)*

Is the fourth youth leader between the ages of 14 and 25?*

Select

Please indicate the gender identity of the fourth youth leader.*

Select

Where is the fourth youth leader currently located?*

(city/town)

What language does the fourth youth leader primarily use at home?*

Select the box(es) that represent the racial/ethnic identity of the fourth youth leader*

Select or enter value

Is the fourth youth leader currently a student?*

Select

What is the full name of current school or the last school attended by the fourth youth leader?*

Does the fourth youth leader have an intellectual disability?*

Select

Does the fourth youth leader have a sibling with an intellectual disability?*

Select

Fourth Youth Leader - Please write a brief personal bio containing the following information:*

What is your preferred name?

What are your favorite sports or activities?

How are you connected to or involved with Special Olympics?

What does inclusion mean to you?

What inspires you or motivates you to be a youth leader promoting inclusion in your community?

What are 3 things you are really proud of?

Tell us about a dream you want to accomplish.

Example:

Fourth Youth Leader - Please share why you are interested in this leadership experience and what skills you hope to learn or practice.*

Example:

Fourth Youth Leader - By marking this box, I am consenting to receiving communications from Special Olympics (like newsletters and announcements). I understand I can unsubscribe any time.*

Select

I as the parent/legal guardian of the fourth youth leader confirm that I have read the Parent Release document.*

Select

Fourth Youth Leader - Parent/Guardian Virtual Signature*

Can the Youth Leader(s) commit to consistent attendance of cohort sessions (Thursdays 7pm EST)?*

From October - December, we will meet weekly, beginning on October 3. From January - June we will meet biweekly (every two weeks). These meetings are virtual at 7pm EST. All cohort participants are required to attend live video sessions. If you have to miss a session for any reason, you need to email Eliana Neuwirth and anyone else in your group before the session, letting them know that you will not be there.

Select

Provide your own 3 examples of how you can use the T's of Giving (Time, Talent, Treasure, and Ties) to improve inclusion in your community as a youth leader.*

This question asks you to think about what you learned from the prerequisite video lesson linked in the "How to Apply" instruction page. If you are applying a group, you only have to answer this question once and may work together. You may watch the video again at any time, but be mindful that clicking away from this page may cause you to lose your progress as it DOES NOT SAVE.

Example:

1. My mom is a kindergarten teacher. I can use my connection to her and my time to spread inclusion by speaking to her class about how to be kind and inclusive of people with all abilities.

2. My grandma gives me money for my birthday each year, which counts as treasure. I can donate some of that money to my local Special Olympics club that is fundraising for new uniforms.

3. Every year on Halloween I use my talent for baking to make cupcakes for my class. In my school, the students who receive special education are unfortunately separated from other students. This year, I will make enough cupcakes for my class and the special education class so everyone can enjoy them and I can make some new friends!

Accepted Cohort Members

Name & Likeness Release

Special Olympics relies on sponsors and partners to help support our mission. We often use photos, videos and stories of our athletes to show the impact of support by companies that sponsor Special Olympics. If you wish to allow your likeness to be used in this way, please read and sign below.

I agree to the following:

I give permission to Special Olympics, Inc., Special Olympics games organizing committees, and Special Olympics accredited Programs (collectively “Special Olympics”) and their sponsors and partners to use my likeness, photo, video, name, voice, words, and biographical information (“my likeness”) to acknowledge the sponsors’ and partners’ support for Special Olympics.

Special Olympics and its sponsors and partners will not use my Likeness to endorse commercial products or services.

I understand I will not be compensated for the use of my Likeness.

Engagement with Partners & Donors

I would be willing to engage with donors and partners of Special Olympics International in the planning or execution of my project, if an opportunity is available near me. Examples of Special Olympics International partners include the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Microsoft, the Samuel Family Foundation, Hasbro, and Lions Club International, amongst others.

Examples of this could include:

A mentorship with an employee of a donor or corporate partner of Special Olympics International

Attending a training or other event held by a partner of Special Olympics International

Attending an event at the office of a partner of Special Olympics International to share the story of the Youth Innovation Project

Participating in an interview with a partner of Special Olympics International to capture and share the story of the Youth Innovation Project

First Youth Leader: Name & Likeness Release

Select

First Youth Leader: Engagement with Partners & Donors

Select

Second Youth Leader: Name & Likeness Release

Select

Second Youth Leader: Engagement with Partners & Donors

Select

Third Youth Leader: Name and Likeness Consent

Select

Third Youth Leader: Engagement with Partners & Donors

Select

Fourth Youth Leader: Name and Likeness Release

Select

Fourth Youth Leader: Engagement with Partners & Donors

Select

Project Proposal

27 a) Project Type

Select or enter value

27) Name of Project

27 b) Name of Project

28) Project Problem

29) Project Activities

30) Project Goals

31) Project Timeline

Select

31 a) Project Start Date

31 b) Project End Date

32) Metrics

Select

33) # of youth w/wo ID actively engaged

34) # of Unified Schools with expanded programming

35) # of new Unified Schools

36) # of new Unified Champion Schools

37) # of new youth leaders

38) # of Special Olympics athletes engaged

39) # of people without ID engaged by the project

40) Total social media impressions

41) # of new Unified Sports Clubs

42) Budget Request

Select

43) 2000 Request

57) Opt In Training

Select

58) Final Report Consent

comms 2

Select

ii. Please name the active group members

Program Support Letter?

Select

Project Name

44) Budget Breakdown

Select

45) Transportation

46) Venue

47) Supplies

48) Food

49) Advertising/Marketing

50) Equipment/Maintenance

51) Printing/Videography

52) Photography/Videography

Headshot

53) Miscellaneous

54) Total

i. descrip

Send me a copy of my responses

Privacy Notice|Report Abuse