Youth Empowerment and SEL Initiatives is a grant from The Allstate Foundation, administered in partnership with the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO), providing $10,000 awards to college student-led service programs. The 2026-2027 College Service Grants fund youth-led initiatives focused on social-emotional learning, relationship skills, and community service.

Programs must engage young people in meaningful service activities that build resilience, civic engagement, and leadership capacity while addressing local community needs.

College Service Grants - CELO The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants In support of The Allstate Foundation ‘s youth empowerment strategy, the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) has partnered with the Foundation to (re)define youth service for a new generation and empower youth to serve and improve communities. In continuation of this partnership, we are excited to announce the College Service Grants 2026-2027.

Each grant recipient will receive $10,000 to empower youth-led, youth-driven service on their campus. To date, The Allstate Foundation has generously granted over $2 million toward this program. Funded initiatives fall into one of the following categories: Microgrants : Directly provided to students for new, youth-led service initiatives.

Access Support : Initiatives that increase student access to service experiences. Increasing Impact : Initiatives that enhance the depth of impact of existing youth-led service activities. Institutions are required to apply by March 30, 2026 for consideration.

The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants In support of The Allstate Foundation ‘s youth empowerment strategy, the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) has partnered with the Foundation to (re)define youth service for a new generation and empower youth to serve and improve communities. In continuation of this partnership, we are excited to announce the College Service Grants 2026-2027.

Each grant recipient will receive $10,000 to empower youth-led, youth-driven service on their campus. To date, The Allstate Foundation has generously granted over $2 million toward this program. Funded initiatives fall into one of the following categories: Microgrants : Directly provided to students for new, youth-led service initiatives.

Access Support : Initiatives that increase student access to service experiences. Increasing Impact : Initiatives that enhance the depth of impact of existing youth-led service activities. Institutions are required to apply by March 30, 2026 for consideration.

View the 2025-2026 Recipients Bowling Green State University California State University, Long Beach Christopher Newport University City University of New York Coahoma Community College East Tennessee State University Eastern Illinois University George Washington University Harford Community College Kennesaw State University New York Institute of Technology Northern Arizona University Northern Kentucky University Oberlin College & Conservatory Pennsylvania State University Abington Rowan College at Burlington County Rutgers University Camden Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Saint Mary’s College of California Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Southern Methodist University Southern Virginia University The College of New Jersey University of Detroit Mercy University of Minnesota Duluth University of Missouri-Kansas City University of Nebraska Omaha University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at El Paso University of Texas at San Antonio Virginia Military Institute View the 2024-2025 Recipients Baldwin Wallace University Bowling Green State University California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California State University, Long Beach Christopher Newport University Concordia College Moorhead CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies George Washington University Harford Community College Kennesaw State University Northeast Lakeview College Pennsylvania State University, Abington Saint Mary’s College of California Southern Methodist University Southern Virginia University The College of New Jersey University of Central Arkansas University of Minnesota, Duluth University of Mississippi University of Nebraska, Omaha University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Texas at Arlington University of Texas at San Antonio York College of Pennsylvania View the 2023-2024 Recipients Butler County Community College California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Coahoma Community College Metropolitan State University of Denver Texas State University, San Marcos University of Nebraska – Lincoln University of Nevada, Las Vegas 2026-2027 Applications Close March 30, 2026 Apply now to secure funding for student-led service projects on your campus!

Institutions will be selected through an application process. Questions about The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants 2026-2027 application can be directed to tafyouthservice@expandingleadership. org .

Funded initiatives must fall into one of the following categories: Microgrants: Directly provided to students for new, youth-led initiatives. Access Support: Initiatives that increase student access to service experiences. Increasing Impact: Initiatives that enhance the depth of impact of existing youth-led service initiatives.

Grants may not be used for: International initiatives; Alternative break/immersion service trips; Service-learning initiatives; “Re-gifting” funds directly to a charity or cause, or using funding to purchase resources for a charity or cause; Support for political campaigns, candidates, parties, or political issues; OR Salary support or institutional overhead.

The Allstate Foundation is committed to ensuring that the College Service Grants application process is accessible for all applicants. To support this goal, the application is intentionally brief and focused, designed to make the submission process as clear and efficient as possible. The online application must be completed in its entirety by Monday, March 30, 2026 for consideration.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following open-ended responses: Institution Information: State, Approximate Student Population, Local Environment (Rural, Suburban, Urban) Please indicate which of the following categories your grant aligns with (select all that apply): Microgrants, Access Support, Increasing Impact What is the purpose of your program or initiative?

What would The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants enable or accelerate for your institution? Please share a high-level budget projection using the following categories as guidance when applicable: Program Supplies and Materials Microgrants Directly to Students How do you plan to measure and document the outcomes of the grant?

Please list the number of people impacted by the anticipated funds: Students directly impacted, Youth (ages 5-25) indirectly impacted, Community members impacted For previous recipients of The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants: Please describe how this proposed initiative strengthens or expands the work supported by previous year(s) of funding.

Funds must be distributed to support youth-led, youth-driven community service at your institution. For the purpose of this grant, community service is defined along a continuum from volunteerism to civic engagement ( Dugan, Skendall, & Weatherford II, 2024 ). Significant funding is already directed toward service-learning, consider opportunities beyond that modality.

You do not need to launch a new program to receive funding. Grantees commit to selecting one member of the grant implementation team to participate in a fully-funded, in-person convening with The Allstate Foundation and CELO in June 2026. Grantees commit to participating in three (3) virtual convenings with The Allstate Foundation and CELO in October 2026, February 2027, and April 2027.

Funds must be spent by May 15, 2027. Given the size and scope of funding, no overhead will be provided. Grantees agree to provide a final grant report outlining the use of funds by June 5, 2027.

Grantees commit to sending at least one youth involved in service from their campus to participate in a virtual focus group coordinated by CELO (Date TBD). Grantees commit to contributing success stories and photos of student service work done as part of this grant. Grantees may be invited to contribute to media and dissemination efforts.

Our goal is to amplify stories of your youth and campus efforts to ignite a renewed and sustainable investment in community service.

December 15, 2025: Application Launches March 30, 2026: Application Deadline April 2026: Notification of Awards June 2026: College Service Grantee In-Person Convening July 2026: Disbursement of Funds October 2026: College Service Grantee Virtual Convening February 2027: College Service Grantee Virtual Convening April 2027: College Service Grantee Virtual Convening May 15, 2027: Grant Expenditure Deadline June 15, 2027: Grant Report Deadline TBA: Grantee Student Representative Virtual Focus Groups Frequently Asked Questions I am part of a student organization on a college campus.

Are we eligible for this grant? Funds will be distributed directly to colleges and universities. Student-led initiatives are encouraged, however, you will need a mechanism through the institution to access the funding .

This is typically through a campus foundation or grant office. Please consult with your faculty advisor on the best approach prior to submitting your application. I run a 501(c)3 that serves young people.

Is my organization eligible? Funds will be distributed directly to institutions of higher education. At this time, only colleges and universities are eligible for this grant.

Can summer programs be funded? Funds for The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants 2026-2027 program will be disbursed to institutions in July 2026 (following the in-person convening) and must be spent by May 15, 2027. Due to these requirements, summer programs are not eligible at this time.

Where can I find the application questions? Please review the Application Requirements section above for more information on the application. Can an institution submit multiple proposals?

Institutions are welcome to submit multiple proposals. However, because awards are limited, it is unlikely that an institution will receive more than one grant. We therefore encourage departments and units within the same institution to collaborate and consolidate efforts to submit the strongest possible application.

What makes a strong application? A strong proposal clearly demonstrates how your initiative empowers young people to serve and improve their communities. Proposals should include a description of the purpose of the project, intended use of funds, strategy for incorporating youth leadership, and the impact it intends to create.

Applicants are encouraged to show collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to building lasting impact within their communities through youth-led service . Can our proposal address multiple categories (microgrants, access support, increasing impact)? Absolutely!

We know that these categories are not mutually exclusive. Proposals that align with the recommendations outlined in the linked reports are of great interest, especially those that equip and engage student leaders with the skills and resources to bring their ideas to life. Are there any word count limitations for the different application sections?

There are no word count or page limitations – in partnership with The Allstate Foundation, we aim to reduce the burden of lengthy applications in this process. Our only request is that proposals clearly address the prompts on the application . There are no options to upload additional documentation to the application.

Please do not email supplemental information. How is “youth-led service” defined? For the purpose of this grant, community service is defined along a continuum from volunteerism to civic engagement ( Dugan, Skendall, & Weatherford II, 2024 ).

Significant funding is already directed toward service-learning, consider opportunities beyond that modality. You do not need to launch a new program to receive funding. Click here to view a new definition, model, and design considerations to guide the next decade of youth-led, youth-driven service.

Click here to download an article co-written by current and recent college students deeply invested in community service. It offers a call to action focused on accelerating the promise of service and its impact in a contemporary context. Do expenses for the required in-person convening come out of the grant funds?

Lodging, meals, and transportation are generously provided by The Allstate Foundation for one full-time representative per institution, at no cost to the campus. Can I use funds for institutional overhead or to pay personnel? Funds should not be used to pay for staff salary support or institutional overhead; however, grantees can work with their institution to strategize on compensation for youth service leaders .

Approaches to compensation (e.g., stipends, hourly compensation) for students should follow your campus policy. Review examples of proposals that have successfully received grant funding to gain insight into the qualities of a strong application. These proposals represent only a selection of funded ideas and are not intended to limit the scope of future submissions.

City University of New York used The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants funds for students to propose service projects in their local communities for microgrants ranging from $200-$1000. The selection committee included CUNY staff, faculty, and one alumnus. Selections were based on feasibility and potential impact of the project.

Students were encouraged to partner with other current students on the leadership of the project and to recruit CUNY students to volunteer for it. Student leaders were encouraged to bring their proposal to a relevant faculty member to invite their students to also participate.

Colorado College used The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants funds to increase student access to service experiences by providing more access to transportation resources. Funds were used to pay for the routine maintenance and gas for a car from the campus motor pool that students used to get to their community engagement site.

Prior to application, the campus also saw an increase in requests for background checks for service sites. The cost was anywhere from $42-$55 per student. Funds also allowed the campus to cover more student background checks for service experiences.

Berkeley College used The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants funds to extend, evolve, and increase the impacts of their garment repair-teaching and camp model. The core of the project was a week-long, free, public-school break-week camp for high school students that is centered on circular fashion, visible and invisible repair methods, sustainability, and skill-building.

Berkeley College students planned, led, and taught hands-on fashion skills to local high school students. Funds were used to lengthen the duration of the camp, create kits for the high schoolers, and add a community pop-up event. “Receiving this grant has been a catalyst for broadening interpretations of service and leadership for our students, including community service, leadership, engagement, and extracurricular opportunities.

By participating in this grant, we have been able to operationalize a robust, youth-led, service-oriented collegiate experience that supports student success in college and beyond.

” Dean of Student Life & Leadership, Palomar College The Allstate Foundation Resource Library View youth service resources including guidance documents, research, tools, and websites to reference when designing, delivering, and engaging in youth-led, youth-driven service experiences. Have a resource you think would be a good addition to The Allstate Foundation Resource Library? Please email tafyouthservice@expandingleadership.

org. Click Here to Visit the Resource Library In support of The Allstate Foundation ‘s youth empowerment strategy, the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) has partnered with The Allstate Foundation to (re)define youth service for a new generation and empower youth to serve and improve communities. Learn more about our shared work on youth-led, youth-driven service here .

The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants 2026-2027 Applications Close March 30, 2026 Apply today to secure funding for student-led service projects on your campus!