Funding Opportunity /  5 April 2024

Young Futures - The Lonely Hearts Club Funding Challenge

The Lonely Hearts Club Challenge is a $1 million commitment and open funding call for early-stage organizations and solutions focused on fostering meaningful social connection, teen belonging, and wellbeing in a tech-driven world. Galvanized by the work of the U.S. Surgeon General, and in partnership with the Foundation for Social Connection, this is the first of several high-need thematic challenges that Young Futures will issue over the next few years

Deadline: 5 April 2024 - the deadline has passed.
United States

Funding Challenge Overview

All challenges seek to help (pre)teens ages 10-19 thrive in a tech-driven world.

The first cohort of up to 10 grantee partners will be deeply committed to a youth-centered and empathetic approach to transforming the culture and norms of social connection and wellbeing in a digital age.

Access and download the full Request for Proposals (RFP) here.

Up to 10 grant recipients, aka Young Futures Innovators (YF Innovators), will join the foundational cohort of the Young Futures Academy (YFA), a six-month program designed to help level up their organization and amplify their impact.

YFA participants will receive leadership and organizational coaching, mentorship, access to a peer community, and media and communications support. YFA will culminate in a virtual Showcase, where YF Innovators will present their organization and solution(s) to an audience of funders, potential programmatic partners, and users. In addition, YF Innovators will receive travel and accommodation support to participate in an in-person retreat at the start of the program.

Applicants Must Be

  • Organizations based in the U.S. and registered as a non-profit with 501(c)(3) or tax-exempt status, including those under fiscal sponsorship.
  • Organizations offering a solution or program that has already been piloted or deployed.
  • Organizations whose leadership is willing to actively participate in and complete the six-month Young Futures Academy (~10 hours a month).

Find out more through this link: