Volunteer Grants
For most people, taking time off from work means they probably won’t have a constant flow of income. Although PSF does not charge volunteers hefty participation fees, volunteering does requires a financial commitment to cover basic living expenses in addition to the time and effort you are willing to put in to make a difference in the world. It is imperative for anyone thinking about volunteering to carefully consider the costs associated with their service. We strongly encourage you to take a look at the Volunteer Costs page for more detailed information that will allow you to plan your budget accurately and be sure you have enough saved up before you come.
Alternatively, there are various organizations that are able to assist international volunteers with the living (and travel) expenses associated with volunteering abroad by offering grants and/or stipends to volunteers who submit compelling applications. If you are interested in long-term volunteering (four months or more) at PSF, we encourage you to apply for funds provided by any of the organizations listed below whose mission is compatible with your own goals. However, these are not the only options out there. We urge prospective volunteers to conduct their own independent search for financing, as this list is by no means comprehensive. Please see the information provided through the links below for details on how to submit a successful application and feel free to contact us at info@piscosinfronteras.org if you have any questions we might be able to help you with.
Interexchange Foundation’s Christianson Grant
Award Amount: $2,500 – $10,000
Application Deadlines: March 15, July 15, & October 15
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
- Between the ages of 18 and 28
- Participating in a work, internship, or volunteer abroad program.*
- Committed to a program duration of at least six months
- Willing to submit a written report upon completion of their program
Application Fee: $50
Website: www.interexchange.org/content/331/en/
Omprakash Foundation’s Volunteer Grant
The Omprakash Volunteer Grant supports travel and living expenses for qualified, energetic, and entrepreneurial individuals who want to volunteer abroad within the Omprakash international network of grassroots health, education, and environmental “Partner” organizations (this includes Pisco Sin Fronteras). This grant program seeks to harness the potential of inspired individuals who are poised to contribute to our mission but would struggle to afford these basic costs.
The program has three basic aims: to provide talented young people with educational and empowering experiences of global citizenship, to provide Partners with needed support, and to expand the scope and depth of [Omprakash’s] impact by recruiting volunteers who exhibit the intention and capacity to make a long-term contribution to [the Omprakash] international network. This contribution might involve reaching out to new volunteers or Partners, sharing creative resources such as lesson plans or educational documentaries, helping students and teachers learn and serve with [Omprakash] Partners, or fundraising—but ultimately, it is up to each applicant to determine his or her most valuable offering to the network.
The Omprakash Foundation Volunteer Grant program is open to all, regardless of age or nationality. Four cycles of grant applications are reviewed each year. Quarterly deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15.
Website: www.omprakash.org/VolunteerGrants
Jessica Jennifer Cohen Foundation
The Jessica Jennifer Cohen Foundation seeks to provide financial assistance to benefit young adults to enable them to perform community service that otherwise would be financially difficult or impracticable for them to do. The community service may be through employment or other association with a non-profit or other suitable community service organization, through the development and execution of an individual’s own program of community service, or through any other suitable community service activity.
Website: www.jjcf.org/
Burners Without Borders Community Grant
The goal of this program is to stimulate community projects by engaging YOUR community.
Website: http://www.burnerswithoutborders.org/bwb-community-grant-program-2011
Go! Overseas Volunteer Abroad Scholarship
Go Overseas is proud to support international volunteers through the Go Volunteer Abroad Scholarship program. Anyone participating in a volunteer program abroad is eligible to apply for the Go Volunteer Abroad Scholarship. Scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship is awarded based on the creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. Further details are as follows:
Volunteer abroad scholarships are awarded each academic year. The award for each scholarship is $1,000.
Go Overseas will judge entries based on the following criteria: Creativity of writing sample, displayed analytical thinking, and passion for volunteering.
The Go Volunteer Abroad Scholarship is open to participants in volunteer programs in the upcoming year. Recipients must be successfully accepted into a volunteer abroad program. The sole purpose of this award is to assist in the funding of participation in a volunteer abroad program.
Outstanding scholarship submissions will be posted on the Go Overseas website. All recipients will be required to participate in a pre-departure and post-return interview.
Volunteers may apply prior to or while working with PSF, but should note that the scholarship is only awarded in September.
Website: www.go-volunteerabroad.com/volunteer-abroad-scholarship
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Response
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting provides travel grants to cover hard costs associated with upcoming travel for an international reporting project. Ideal projects offer print, photography, radio, and video.
