Listen up all you do-gooders, entrepreneurs, and volunteers! Who said being good doesn't pay off? MTV and Youth Venture are teaming up to offer up to $1,000 each week to young people who are making a difference by creating and leading their own ongoing organizations, clubs or businesses that address a need in their community.
think Ventures must focus on one of the following issue areas:
Discrimination
Education
Environment
Global issues
Sexual health
Each week, one grant will be awarded to a group of young people (two or more) who submit the most compelling and sustainable think venture application.
For tips and tools on starting your venture, and examples of successful ventures, visit Youth Venture.
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think VENTURE GRANT WINNERS
Here's a list of students who have already won a think Venture Grant. Apply now and your name could be listed here!Chantell Bury and Cortney Bury, Glendive, MT
think Venture: Paleokids educates youth about paleontology through classes and projects at the Makoshika Dinosaur Museum. Through the Paleokids program, the community learns about its local dinosaur history and encourages a greater respect for the environment.
Malavika Balachandran and Rebecca Brumfield, Baton Rouge, LA
think Venture: Through landscaping and beautification projects, installation of recycling bins, classroom programs, and community outreach, McKinley Green addresses the need for environmental education at their school and the surrounding community of Old South Baton Rouge.
Alan Rodrigues, Natalie Vokes, Matthew Piven, Wesley Tjosvold, Williamstown, MA
think Venture: Live Fit focuses on improving the health of children in Northern Berkshire County. Live Fit hopes to engage and excite children through a school-based program that will enable the students to make decisions that are conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
Jonathan Dyer, Ryan Campbell, Justin Skord, Carbondale, IL
think Venture: Saluki Cycles encourages students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to use non-motorized transportation to get around the community. Saluki Cycles will deploy a fleet of twenty free bicycles to ease traffic congestion and parking problems on campus, lessen air pollution, and encourage students to exercise. Saluki Cycles also educates students, faculty, staff, and community members about the economic, social, environmental, and personal health benefits of cycling.
Aleen Bedrosian, Sevana Abkarian, Tamar Sarkisian, Van Nuys, CA
think Venture: Youth Endeavors: A Remedy Plan is taking action against extreme poverty in one of the world's poorest nations, Niger. Through events such as bowling nights, walk-a-thons, concerts, and poetry nights, Youth Endeavors will raise awareness and funds for the crisis in Niger. The goal of Youth Endeavors is to join in relief efforts in order to assuage the harsh impact of poverty.