FAQ

What Exactly Does the Grant Offer?

Youtopia is a grant program for both socially-responsible businesses and non-profit organizations. Free Range Studios will that provide up to $35,000 worth of Free Range’s design and/or strategic services (175-240 hours depending on the exact services awarded) to one grant winner. See our list of past winners to get a better idea for the variety of projects we support.

How Are Recipients Selected?

Our goal is to award this grant to the organization whose goals can be furthered the most from our services. Like last year we will be crowd sourcing the selection process for finalists. Anyone and everyone is eligible to vote to decide the top 20 applicants. From there, the Free Range team will select the overall grant recipient.

• We like to support projects that further an entire movement or push an issue many organizations are working on. For example, if we got two applications – one to redesign an organization’s website and a second to design the website of a campaign many groups are collaborating on, we would be likely to favor the second applicant.
• We look for innovation and challenge. This can come in many forms — perhaps you are on the cutting edge, addressing an issue that most others have not. Or perhaps you’ve got the need for a service that lets us push our own creative boundaries.
• We admire folks with a plan. The more you’ve thought through your project and its real-world application, the better you vision will come across. Take your time.

How Many Grants Are Awarded Each Year?

This year the process will help us select one overall recipient for the $35,000 grant. However, if we find that several organizations submit applications on a similar topic, we may work with these organizations to create one product that serves multiple groups. This was the case with The Meatrix, which helped a coalition of groups working to curb abuses in factory farming.

What Is the Timeline of the Grant?

We are gearing up for our biggest Youtopia giveaway yet!  Put on your thinking caps and keep an eye out for announcements about next year’s grant cycle, which will launch in January 2012.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

We welcome applications from non-profit organizations and socially responsible businesses worldwide. You do not need to be based in the US in order to apply.

What If I Don’t Get the Grant?

Don’t despair! You are welcome to re-apply for the grant for as many years as you like.

In the meantime, we encourage you to contact us regarding your ideas. Perhaps we can find a way to make your goal a reality through an innovative solution that meets your budget and in-house capabilities. In the past we have also linked like-minded organizations to pool their resources and make a splash that they could not afford to make on their own. Alternatively, we may be able to support your efforts to find funding for your communications needs by providing you with information for inclusion in your grant proposals.

For more information about the Grant or working with Free Range, please contact us at youtopia@freerange.com.