We want to make faith matter more for teenagers
Thanks to the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc., we are excited to announce year two of the TENx10 Faith and Service Project (TFS). The primary objective of TFS Project is to make faith matter more for teenagers by strengthening the capacity of TENx10 partner organizations to engage teenagers in meaningful acts of service and justice–making faith more relevant in their lives.
In support of this objective, TFS invites current TENx10 TFS Grantees to submit a proposal for up to $100,000 for single-organization implementation grants and $150,000 for collaborative grants for work in 2026 that catalyzes youth faith formation through youth involvement in service and justice-oriented work and theological reflection in ways that match the organization’s unique mission and strengths. This might include projects that accelerate youth faith formation through engagement in service and justice efforts and theological reflection, increase the implementation of resources that integrate youth formation, service and justice or conduct related research. Other approaches that fit the primary objective, as well as reflect your organization’s unique mission and strengths, may also be considered.
As shown in our Faith Formation Strategy, young people are more likely to have a thriving faith when discipleship is relational and radically focused on Jesus. One core component of this is applying that faith through service and justice. While the application of one’s faith within one’s context is vital, too many young people today do not experience faith communities and Christians as invested in compelling acts of service and justice. The second year of TFS hopes to strengthen and scale projects that embody the diverse racial and ethnic, cultural, and theological traditions related to service and justice–helping more young people encounter a positive and compelling view of the Church.
Here are the grant criteria
As a TENx10 Faith & Service grantee, you are eligible to propose an implementation project as a follow up to the 2025 TFS Grant! There is a limited number of grants that will be awarded. In addition to awarding “Implementation Grants” to single TFS organizations, year two will also have a designated number of “Collaborative Grants.” Collaborative Grants, in line with TENx10’s broader goal of strengthening collaboration, will encourage grantees to partner with two or more organizations to meet the goals of TFS year 2.
The proposed project must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Demonstrate a commitment to the faith formation of 13-18 year olds at the intersection of service and/or justice.
- Demonstrate a trajectory toward successful completion of desired outcomes in the year one grant.
- Commit to participating in all TENx10 and TFS activities in year two.
- Have spent at least 75% of year-1 funds.
- Commit to being involved in a more coordinated awareness and storytelling campaign.
- Demonstrate how participating in year two of TFS will strengthen their organizational capacity.
Implementation Grants – Yearlong grants for $50,000-$100,00
- Focus on projects that will form the faith of 13-18 year olds at the intersection of service and justice coupled with theological and biblical reflection.
- TFS-funded projects may include efforts that help young people grow in faith through service, justice, and theological reflection; expand the use of resources that connect faith, service, and justice; or carry out related research. Other approaches that fit the primary objective, as well as reflect your organization’s unique mission and strengths, will also be considered.
- Projects that further your organization's proven commitment to faith, service, and justice.
- Projects address an identified injustice, problem, or opportunity.
- The proposed project builds on the momentum of a TFS year one project.
Collaborative Grants – Yearlong grants for $100,00–$150,000
- Meet all the requirements of the Implementation Grant.
- Collaborate with and expand the organizational capacity of at least two organizations that are a TENx10 Partner. The TENx10 Partner does not have to be a year 1 grant recipient.
- Collaborating organizations must 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.
- One organization must be underresourced, underserved, work with communities of color, and/or led by a person of color.
Grantee requirements
In addition to the grant criteria, organizations must also meet the following requirements:
- Submit a TFS Project Application proposal by December 10, 2025. Proposals that match the stated criteria will be eligible to receive up to $100,000 for single-organization implementation grants and $150,000 (paid in two installments) to complete the proposed project and submit the final report by December 2026. Each TENx10 partner organization can only submit one application.
Participate in TENx10 and TFS activities as you are able, including periodic TFS Zoom webinars, the in-person TENx10 Summit in October 2026, participating in marketing and storytelling projects, and additional TFS activities.
- Commit to submit a mid-year report that includes progress on outcomes, requests for adjustments, and any resources produced by that deadline.
- 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 October 21, 2025, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST or November 7, 2025, from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST. The content we share in these two sessions will be identical.
Additionally, we will offer a 90-minute workshop on how to write a grant proposal for organizations and leaders newer to this process. You are welcome to join us on November 17, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM PST.
We also have an FAQ page available.
All informational sessions will be recorded and emailed to TFS year one grantees.
Webinar Recordings
We will include webinar recordings from the aforementioned webinars here.
Timeline for the project
- December 10, 2025 (11:59 PM PST) – Deadline for TFS Project Proposals
- Early February 2026 – TENx10 will notify organizations of accepted proposals, followed by the initial 50% disbursement of grant funds
- July 2026 – Mid-project reports are due from grantees, second TFS webinar, and final 50% disbursement of grant funds
- October 2026 – Attend TENx10 Summit
- December 2026 – Submit TFS Project Report and attend the celebration webinar
Submit your proposal
The application will be submitted through an online form. To make the process easier, grantees are encouraged to use the worksheet to gather materials and draft responses in advance. This Application Worksheet includes all of the questions and prompts from the online form. You may save a copy and use it to prepare your application.
As you prepare your application, we invite you to reflect on the following questions:
- Theological Anchor - What biblical and theological texts help inform your approach to justice and service to others as a core practice of Christian life?
- Program - How does your project incorporate service or justice? How will you help young people reflect on what they’re doing and see service and justice as a theological practice?
- Ecosystem Sharing - 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?
- Relevance - How well the proposed project aligns with our grant’s focus areas and mission?
- Scalability - How will this project form the faith of more teenagers? Who will benefit? How many people? What change will result?
- Clarity & Feasibility - Is the plan clear? Are the goals, tasks, timeline, deliverables, and responsibilities well laid out?
- Budget & Cost-Effectiveness - Is the budget realistic and justified? Are resources used efficiently?
- Equity & Inclusivity - Does the project consider the changing demographics of American youth and account for equity, inclusion, and accessibility? Are historically under-served populations considered?
- Tracking & Evaluation - How will you measure progress? What metrics will you use? What is your plan for monitoring and reporting?
TFS Project proposals must be submitted by 11:59 PM (PST) on December 10, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email TFS@tenx10.org.