We want to make faith matter more for teenagers
Thanks to the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc., we are excited to announce the TENx10 Faith and Service Project (TFS). The primary objective of the TFS Project is to make faith matter more for teenagers by strengthening the capacities of TENx10 partner organizations to engage teenagers in intentional acts of service and justice.
In support of this objective, TFS invites current TENx10 partner organizations (registered as partners by December 14, 2024) to submit a proposal for up to $25,000 for work in 2025 that catalyzes adolescent service, community building, and theological reflection in ways that match the organization’s unique mission and strengths. This might include directly engaging young people in more effective service and justice efforts, conducting research, developing resources, conducting planning activities, launching service-oriented relational cohorts, and/or hosting service-focused leader training gatherings. Other approaches that fit the primary objective, as well as reflect your organization’s unique mission and strengths, will also be considered.
As explained in our Faith Formation Strategy, young people are more likely to have a faith that matters when they experience relational discipleship radically focused on Jesus. One core component of this is that young people’s faith is applied through service. While engaging in service and justice is vital, too many young people today do not experience faith communities and Christians as invested in compelling acts of service. This project hopes to inspire and cultivate projects that reflect and embody the diverse racial and ethnic, cultural, and theological traditions related to service and justice–which we hope will help more young people experience a positive and compelling view of the Christian church.
Here are the grant criteria
As a TENx10 partner, you have been recommended as a qualified candidate for this project! Your proposed project must meet the following criteria to apply:
- TFS-funded activities may include, but are not limited to: directly engaging young people in more effective service and justice efforts, conducting research, developing resources, conducting planning activities, launching service-oriented relational cohorts, and/or hosting service-focused leader training gatherings. Other approaches that fit the primary objective, as well as reflect your organization’s unique mission and strengths, will also be considered.
- TFS furthers your organization's proven commitment to faith, service and justice.
- TFS-funded projects address an identified injustice, problem, or opportunity.
- The project will strengthen the faith development of young people through engaging in theological and biblical reflection.
Partner requirements
In addition to the grant criteria, organizations must also meet the following requirements:
- Have joined TENx10 as a partner as of December 14, 2024. Partners who join after this date will not be eligible to apply. For TENx10 partner organizations that are for-profit, please contact us directly before applying.
- Be based in the United States and be able to present an IRS tax-exempt status determination letter as confirmation of their financial readiness to receive a grant. For profit entities should contact us to discuss details, but they are also invited to apply.
- Submit a TFS Project Application proposal by February 14, 2025. Proposals that match the stated criteria will be eligible to receive up to $25,000 (paid in two installments) to complete the service-related project and submit the final report by December 2025. Each TENx10 partner organization can only submit one application.
- Be open to participate in TENx10 and TFS activities as you are able, including periodic TFS Zoom webinars, the in-person TENx10 Summit in October 2025, and additional TFS activities.
- Commit to submit a final report that includes the outcomes of the project, developed resources, a budget summary, and reflections, stories, and insights.
Need some help applying?
We will host two informational sessions where we share more context about the project and answer questions about the application process. We invite you to attend on January 7, 2025 from 9:00AM - 10:00AM PST or January 15, 2025 from 9:00AM - 10:00AM PST. The content we share in these two sessions will be identical.
In addition, we will offer a 90-minute workshop on how to write a grant proposal for organizations and leaders who are newer to this process. You are welcome to join us on January 28, 2025 from 9:30AM - 11:00AM PST.
We'll also host a 60-minute brainstorming workshop to help prospective applicants brainstorm ideas and projects. You are welcome to join us on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 8:00AM PST.
We also have a FAQs page available.
Webinar Recordings
Informational session recording - watch here.
Grant writing workshop - watch here.
Timeline for the project
- February 14, 2025 (11:59PM PST) – Deadline for TFS Project Proposals
- Early March 2025 – TENx10 will notify organizations of accepted proposals
- March 2025 – Initial 50% disbursement of grant funds and first TFS webinar
- August 2025 – Mid-project reports are due from grantees, second TFS webinar, and final 50% disbursement of grant funds
- October 2025 – Attend TENx10 Summit
- December 2025 – Submit TFS Project Report and attend the celebration webinar
Submit your proposal
The application will be completed through an online form. All materials and answers to the application questions should be assembled before submitting the application. The online form does not permit the saving of materials before submitting the application.
This worksheet includes all questions and prompts that are included on the online application form. Feel free to save your own copy of this document and use it as you prepare your application materials. Once you have begun your application form, you will need to complete it, as you will not have the opportunity to save and return to your work later.
As you prepare your application, we invite you to reflect on the following questions:
- What kinds of experiences of Christian service and justice are compelling and meaningful for young people in your tradition? How might these experiences nurture and deepen their faith?
- What biblical and theological texts in your organization’s faith tradition help to inform justice and service to others as a core practice of Christian life? How will you help young people reflect on what they’re doing and see service and justice as a theological practice?
- How might your insights and learning be shared (with TENx10 partners, and/or through your own channels) with others to catalyze broader efforts toward faith and service?
TFS Project proposals must be submitted by 11:59PM (PST) on February 14, 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready. Applications are reviewed and funds are released in order of submission. We do not plan to accept proposals after February 14, but please contact our team if you have an extenuating circumstance. We anticipate being able to award funding to every eligible TENx10 partner organization who applies and fulfills the application criteria in this worksheet.
If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email TFS@tenx10.org.