Community Change Projects
Scholars turn ideas into real projects that make a difference—in their schools, communities, and beyond. Each project starts with an issue that matters to them and grows into real change.
What is a Community Change Project?
Scholars engage community members to create a project that makes a meaningful difference for a relevant need. Over the course of the program year, they’ll engage in sessions, workshops, activities and assignments that are designed to build and strengthen their leadership skills.
Scholars are supported along the way through coaching from educators and mentors, training alongside peers, and $1,000 in seed funding for their project.
Many projects inspire new student leaders who keep the work going long after the Scholar year ends.
Finding Your Big Idea
At the start, Scholars wrestle with big questions:
- What am I passionate about?
- Who am I in relation to my community?
- What needs do I see around me?
- What would lasting change look like?
Through this discovery process, Scholars engage with community members to identify the most pressing needs and the most promising solutions.
Issues Scholars Take On
Through their Community Change Projects, Scholars have tackled big issues such as:
- mental health awareness
- civic engagement
- STEM education
- environmental issues
- and more!
2024 Bezos Scholar Community Change Projects
Nine months of teamwork, grit, and creativity turned into real impact across diverse issues. Explore the 13 youth-led Community Change Projects from the 2024 Cohort.
WAVE (Wellness, Activity, Vitality and Engagement)
South African Ideas Festival – Ideas Worth a Shot
R.I.S.E (Resources for Inclusive Support and Empowerment)
Rights in Reach
Project O.T.T.E.R. (Optimizing Talent in Technology, Engineering, and Readiness)
Pathways to Possibility
LEAP (Literacy Enhancement & Advancement Project)
IMPACT (Inclusive Muslim Program for Awareness, Community, and Tolerance)
Hands of Hope
Finanzas Sin Fronteras (Finances Without Borders)
EDUnity
Comfort Crew
Asian American HOPE (Health, Outreach, Prevention, Engagement)
2024 Continuing Projects
This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the continuation of 22 Community Change Projects, each founded by previous Bezos Scholars. These projects represent innovative and creative solutions to community needs, and their continued growth highlights the dedication and impact of the student leaders who move them forward.
Student Wellness Committee
Day 28 (formerly Youth for HOPE)
Wellness4Washtenaw
Unite!
STEM Connect
South Texas Ideas Festival (STXi)
POP Festival
Noteworthy Music Club and Festival
NorCal Science & Technology Festival
Mynd Revolution
Let’s Connect! Rancho
Let’s TALC (Teach, Access, Learn, Choice)
Lamar Thrift
IGNITE (Inspiring Growth, Nurturing Innovation, and Teaching Empowerment)
Golden Eagle Outreach
Greater Good in Action (formerly Period.)
FLARE (Financial Literacy and Advancement for Rio Grande Valley Equity)
The Dewasters
Don’t Oppress Youth Success
Colton High School Wellness Fair
CLIP (Creating Legal Immigration Pathways)
