Apply for the Wilmers Integrity Prize — Win One of Three $100,000 Awards @Win One of Three $100,000 Awards

Are you leading meaningful change in your community but haven’t yet received the recognition or funding you deserve? The Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize 2026 is now open, offering three unrestricted $100,000 awards to individuals making a real impact across the United States.

This prestigious prize is designed to support individual changemakers — not organizations — who are deeply committed to advancing the greater good. Whether your work focuses on social justice, education, healthcare, or environmental change, this opportunity is meant to elevate leaders who are already making progress and have the potential to scale their impact even further.

About the Prize

The Wilmers Integrity Prize honors individuals who demonstrate a rare combination of impact, integrity, and leadership. Unlike many awards, this prize specifically targets those who are still building momentum — not those who are already well-funded or widely recognized.

Each year, three winners receive $100,000 each, with funding that is completely unrestricted. This means recipients can use the award in whatever way best supports their work, whether that’s expanding their initiatives, investing in resources, or sustaining themselves as they continue their efforts.

The prize supports work across a wide range of fields, including:

• Arts and culture
• Education
• Environment
• Law and justice
• Medicine and healthcare
• Nutrition
• Social justice and social reform

Why This Opportunity Matters

Many individuals doing impactful work operate without the recognition or funding they need to scale their efforts. The Wilmers Integrity Prize fills this gap by investing directly in people who are deeply committed to change but are still building toward larger impact.

By focusing on integrity as much as outcomes, the prize highlights the importance of ethical leadership in creating sustainable, meaningful change.

For applicants, this is more than just funding — it is an opportunity to gain recognition, expand your reach, and accelerate your work in a significant way.

What You’ll Gain

One of the most powerful aspects of this opportunity is the scale of funding. Receiving $100,000 in unrestricted support can be truly transformative — especially for individuals who have not yet had access to major funding streams.

Winners also gain national recognition, which can significantly increase visibility for their work. This can open doors to new partnerships, collaborations, and additional funding opportunities.

Another key benefit is validation of impact and integrity. The prize is not just about what you’ve achieved, but how you’ve achieved it — recognizing leaders who act with courage, independence, and strong ethical values.

Additionally, finalists and winners go through a rigorous selection process, including site visits and evaluations, which can further strengthen their work and positioning.

Who Can Apply

This opportunity is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Must be based in and primarily working in the United States
• Must be an individual (not an organization)
• Must be actively working to advance the greater good
• Must demonstrate strong integrity, leadership, and independence
• Must show measurable progress and potential for growth

Importantly, this prize is intended for individuals for whom $100,000 would be a true game-changer — not those who already have significant access to funding or established philanthropic support.

Applicants can either apply directly or be nominated by someone else.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on three core pillars:

Cause
Your work must address real challenges and contribute to positive change within a community at the local or national level.

Character
Applicants should demonstrate qualities such as integrity, courage, curiosity, independence, and a commitment to their principles.

Results
Your efforts should already show meaningful progress, with strong potential for continued and expanded impact.

The selection process includes application screening, evaluation by a selection committee, and further vetting of finalists, including reference checks and site visits.

Application Process and Deadline

Applicants must complete the online application form or be nominated through the official platform. The process is designed to be straightforward, with no application fee.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 

Finalists will be contacted for additional steps, and winners will be announced at an award ceremony in October in Buffalo, New York.

 Learn more and apply through the official website.

Explore More Opportunities for Youth

Want to discover more fellowships, scholarships, internships, and global programs like this one? Visit Opportunities for Youth to explore more opportunities.