A $5K Grant For Being Kind? This Foundation Has Doled Out $4M So Far

The Riley’s Way Foundation, created 11 years ago by a New York couple as a “love letter” to their daughter, is again accepting applications for “Kindness Fellow grants” of up to $5,000 to support youth-led projects in communities across the country.

Young people ages 13-23 may apply for grants to support projects of their own design rooted in kindness, empathy, youth leadership and community.

The 2025 Call For Kindness, or C4K as the year-long fellowship is known, provides up to $5,000 in funding for as many as 45 youth-led projects. The fellowship includes leadership development training in strategic planning, fundraising and outreach, active listening, fostering empathy, and effective communication.

“In a time where our nation is deeply divided, we believe the way forward is to lean into our values and choose kindness, connection, and community,” Dr. Christine O'Connell, the foundation’s executive director, said in a news release. “In leadership, kindness is strength, and the Riley’s Way community is proving it every day.”

What Is Riley’s Way?

Mackenzie and Ian Sandler established the Riley’s Way Foundation in 2014 to honor the life of their late 9-year-old daughter Riley Hannah Sandler.

They made “a deliberate choice to honor Riley’s beautiful spirit by spreading the love, kindness, and friendship that defined her,” said Ian Sandler, who serves as chairman of the Riley’s Way Foundation board.

Since 2014, the foundation has supported more than 300 Kindness Fellows with more than $4 million in grants and leadership support. Those projects have touched at least 100,000 lives, according to the organization’s website.

Riley’s Way said its Kind Leadership model is backed by research showing that leading with kindness and purpose fosters happier workplaces, more productive teams, and increased innovation.

“Today, Riley’s Way shines as a guiding light, inspiring a generation of young leaders to create a world filled with connection, compassion, and belonging,” Sandler said.

What Projects Are Awarded?

Last year, 42 fellowships were awarded for projects in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Some had co-founders.

Past projects have addressed mental health and well-being, promoted racial justice, bridged the tech industry’s demographic gap, supported those experiencing homelessness, combatted food insecurity, and addressed problems that aren’t often thought about.

For example, 2023 fellow Jessie Baxter of Palm Beach, Florida, co-founded a project that levels the sports playing field for girls and young women.

Ta-Ta For Now provides the recommended supportive undergarments to girls and women who are unable to afford the upgrade “so they feel comfortable and prepared to compete in sports,” according to the project mission statement.

Baxter said the fellowship was “a transformative experience helping me grow while empowering me to contribute to a kinder world.”

Ariella Robinson, a 2024 fellow from Los Angeles, received support for her project, Reducing Animal Stress, a nonprofit that works with animal shelters and rescue organizations to educate people on the importance of animal enrichment.

“Not only have they provided the necessary funds, but also numerous other resources, including one-on-one support from experts on resume help, networking, and marketing,” she said.

Check out the complete list of projects on the Riley’s Way Foundation website.

How And When To Apply

Apply online for 2025 C4K fellowships by the deadline, 11:59 p.m. ET on March 9.

Applications may be submitted for new or existing initiatives centered on prevailing social impact issues and community needs.

Separate categories will consider projects focused on LGBTQIA+ communities, civil discourse and connection, dance and the arts, animal welfare, and equity and law.