The application period for the 2026 National Changemakers Summit has closed. Check back next year! 

Project Proposal Application

Project Team Application

Every year, YMCA of the USA calls on high school students (current 9th-11th graders) in all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico to propose a YMCA Changemakers Project that addresses a critical issue or need in their communities. The issue/need you select is entirely up to you, but should be directly connected to your local community - it can have national/global importance, but must have a specific local context. 

Each Changemakers Project must be led by two (2) student Project Leaders. Additional students from your community are encouraged to support the project as needed, but only two students can apply as leaders. 

Forty (40) project teams of two (2) students each will be selected to attend the YMCA Changemakers Summit. All travel and conference expenses for the two Project Leaders from the selected project, along with a YMCA Staff chaperone from your community/state, are fully covered.

At the conference, the two Project Leaders from each state will present their proposal, and all attendees will help select three (3) winning teams to receive $5,000 each in funding to implement their project.