Challenge Scholars Dream Fund
Supporting Student Success
The Challenge Scholars Dream Fund supports projects that
benefit students and graduates of Union High School in the classes of
2020-2028. If you are a Challenge Scholar, a parent, a teacher or a community
partner, these grants are for you! Please see our grant guidelines for detailed information about focus areas, eligibility criteria and the application process.
Funding Guidelines
Our Application Process
The Dream Fund makes award decisions twice each year.
- Applications submitted by October 4 at 5pm will be reviewed in the first round, with awards announced in November.
- Submit your application by February 7, 2025 at 5pm to be considered in the second round of awards, which will be announced in March.
We believe students who have strong relationships with caring adults, access to high-quality teaching and learning, support as they navigate academic transitions and access to financial resources will be successful in their journey to and through college or career training. We also believe in amplifying community voice in decision-making and accountability.
Read the grant application guidelines to learn more. Grant application guidelines in Spanish are also available.
- Describe your idea through our simple application.
- Allow the Dream Fund Committee to review your materials.
- Launch the project with funds in hand.
DREAM FUND GRANTS AWARDED
2023-2024 school year
- Union High School - $300
Student-submitted request. Funds were used to purchase books selected by students for the classroom library in Union High School Spanish class, to increase the number of Spanish-language graphic novels. - Harrison Park School - $9,900
Co-submission by Harrison Park and WMCAT. Funds used to support a PBL experience at WMCAT as students use various media to define the meaning of "community," based on their own understanding and interviews with community members. - Union High School - $800
Co-submission by Union High School and the Promise Zone. Funds used to provide a meal for families attending a FAFSA completion event at UHS. - Westwood Middle School - $2,450
Funds used to cover the cost of eighth-grade field trip (admission, bus, food) to the Holocaust Museum in Detroit as a capstone to a seven-week unit around The Diary of Anne Frank. - Harrison Park School - $2,450
Funds used to cover the cost of eighth-grade field trip (admission, bus, food) to the Holocaust Museum in Detroit as a capstone to a seven-week unit around The Diary of Anne Frank. - Union High School - $2,500
Funds supported the QUEENdom Club at Union High School, providing opportunities for 15-20 female scholars to develop holistically, develop relationships, goal-setting, and leadership through bi-monthly meetings and a culminating event. - The Other Way Ministries - $5,051
Funds supported the Westside Youth Employment Services (YES) program, a paid summer work experience for youth ages 14-18, in grades 9-12. The program pairs westside youth with local businesses and organizations to learn job skills in a variety of career fields. Interns also participate in employability skills workshops and explore college options. - Fair Housing Center of West Michigan - $6,500
In partnership with the Diatribe, funds supported a unit that combines civil rights/fair housing content and spoken word benefitting Union High School students with a better understanding of their rights, the importance of place and how to use their creative voice in positive ways to express themselves and impact their community. - Grand Rapids Community College Foundation - $10,000
Funds supported five comprehensive campus visits to GRCC’s primary transfer partners, such as Ferris State University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University or Grand Valley State University. Each campus visit served 30 to 50 GRCC students who are Challenge Scholars, Promise Zone scholars, and/or TRIO scholars. - New City Kids - $10,000
Funds supported a westside teen leadership/paid internship program specializing in sound engineering and video production, paired with a twice weekly tutoring program for high school students.