Mandela Day Service Grants (MDSG) Now Open

2019 Fellowship Alumna Jennifer Batamuliza leads a coding workshop for girls in Rwanda during her MDSG project.

The U.S. Department of State and IREX are pleased to announce that applications for the Mandela Day Service Grant are now being accepted. Applications are due January 31, 2025, at 11:59pm Eastern Time.  

Mandela Day Service Grants provide small grants for Fellowship Alumni to implement short-term volunteer-driven campaigns that contribute to longer-term projects that improve livelihoods. All Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni are invited to apply for the Mandela Day Service Grant.  The application will consist of a project proposal, including an overview of project goals and objectives, target audience, budget, timeline, work plan, and Collaborator (if applicable). 

Mandela International Day of Service is officially on July 18; however, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the custodian of his legacy, has advocated for “Making Every Day a Mandela Day” to encourage ongoing volunteerism throughout the year.  The new Mandela Day Service Grant will support community service and volunteer projects where Alumni design, implement, and actively engage in short-term volunteer-driven community campaigns.  Through the grant, up to six Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni (or Alumni teams) will receive up to $1,000 each to implement a short-term community service or volunteer project in honor of Mandela Day.

The Mandela Day Service Grant funds short-term service projects that the Fellowship believes will contribute to sustainable community development.  Selected grantees will implement their short-term projects from April to May and will report on all project activities, including recording videos of their projects and documenting impact, in June.

Submission Policies

  • Applications must follow instructions.
  • Extra materials outside of the application will not be considered.
  • Revisions to applications after submission will also not be considered.
  • Only one application per team will be considered.
  • Applications must be written in English.

Mandela Day Service Grant Timeline

  • January 13-31: Application period.
  • March: Selected projects announced.
  • April 1 – May 31: Alumni implement their projects.
  • June 6: MDSG Project reports due.

Selection Criteria

Contestants are evaluated based on:

  • Project’s Engagement with volunteers: Project demonstrates how Fellowship Alumni and local community partners, including the YALI Network, are involved. 
  • Project’s Contribution to improving livelihoods in the long-term: Although short-term, MDSG activities demonstrate alignment to longer-term projects focused on improving livelihoods. 
  • Lead and Collaborator (if applicable) Qualifications: Demonstrated evidence that the Alumni Lead, and the primary Collaborator have the skills and/or technical expertise to implement the proposed activities. 
  • Budget: Budget is reasonable and demonstrates value for cost. 
  • Work Plan: Work plan is detailed and implementable within an eight-week period.

Application Materials

Apply Now

Questions?

Email MWFAlumni@irex.org

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