Do you have an idea you are ready to put into action? Have you started a social venture? Now through July 21, 2022, Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka are accepting applications from young US Residents, ages 16-26, with an idea to enact change in their communities or the world.
Donor Name: Ashoka Changemakers
State: All States
County: All Counties
U.S. Territory: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Type of Grant: Accelerator
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 06/01/2022
Prize Size: $25,000
Details:
The Taco Bell Foundation and Ashoka are joining forces to accelerate young innovators’ most ambitious social impact ideas through the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator.
This is the chance to grow your changemaking abilities, access funding, receive feedback on your project, discover a community of like-minded young people, and more!
All Ambition Accelerator Applicants Will Receive:
- An opportunity to articulate their project or idea
- Invitations to virtual learning session(s) where applicants will deepen their changemaking skills, connect with like-minded young people, and receive guidance on the application process
- Ashoka staff and Taco Bell employees’ feedback on their entries
- Peer Review and feedback on their entries
Prize Information
- Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Innovator” Quarter-Finalists (220) Will Receive:
- $500 Cash Prize
- Opportunity to receive additional feedback on their projects
- Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Ambassador” Semi-Finalists (25) Will Receive:
- $1,000 Cash Prize
- Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.
- 5 Semi-finalists will also be selected to pitch their social idea at the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit. The additional benefits these 5 participants will receive are reflected below.
- Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Leader” Finalists (4) Will Receive:
- $10,000 Additional Cash Prize
- Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.
- Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.
- Ambition Accelerator “Ambition Champion” Grand Finalist (1) Will Receive:
- $25,000 Additional Grand Prize
- Paid Participation in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator Summit featuring skills-building workshops and networking events, fostering connections with young changemakers from across the United States and its territories. Airfare, lodging, and meals will be provided.
- Formal recognition of their contributions to the broader movement on the Taco Bell Foundation Ambition Accelerator website and social media platforms.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participants must be at least 16 at the time of application and not older than 26 by the end of the entry period.
- Participants must be residents of the United States or US Territories.
- Applicants can apply with a team member or as an Individual.
- Applicants selected to participate in the Summit must bring a team member
- Limit one entry per person/team.
- Submissions must be made by the leader/creator of the idea/venture.
- Two participants of eligible ages (plus ONE chaperone if any participant is under 18) per winning team must be available to participate in the Ambition Accelerator Summit in Greater Los Angeles Area, CA [Thursday, November 3 – Sunday, November 6, 2022].
- Each team invited to the in-person Ambition Accelerator Summit, including chaperones, will be required to provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series against Covid-19.
- The Ambition Accelerator organizing team will accept all vaccines approved by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) for travel to the US. Attendees are highly encouraged to receive a booster vaccination, if eligible.
- Attendees who provide proof of a completed primary vaccination series must adhere to the following guideline: the final vaccine must be dated at least 14 days (about 2 weeks) prior to the first date of the event.
For more information, visit Ashoka Changemakers.
