Young leaders: get cash from Do Something Awards

Do Something, win money.

by Jeneiene Schaffer

TUCSON -- The Do Something Awards, formerly the Brick Awards, are designed to provide recognition and funding for young community volunteers. Do Something Award Winners receive a community grant, participation in a special award ceremony, media coverage, and continued support from Do Something.

In the 2009 program, five winners will receive a minimum of $10,000 in community grants and scholarships. (Only winners who are age 18 and under are eligible for a scholarship of $5,000 and a $5,000 community grant; winners age 19-25 receive their entire award in the form of a community grant.) Of the five winners, one will be selected as the grand prize winner, and will receive a total of $100,000 in community grants, paid directly to the nonprofit of his or her choice.

Do Something Award applications go through two stages. First, the Do Something Award Academy (comprised of former winners) reads through all of the applications and selects the finalists. Finalists are flown to New York City for interviews with representatives from the Do Something Award Selection Committee.

The five Do Something Award winners are announced shortly thereafter in Spring 2009. The grand prize winner will be announced in Summer 2009.

Please visit the Do Something Web site for complete program guidelines. For more information on how to support youth in our local communities, please contact Jeneiene Schaffer at jschafferaz(at)gmail.com