Gucci Opens Applications for Fifth Chapter of Gucci Changemakers North America Initiative
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Gucci has officially opened applications for the fifth chapter of the Gucci Changemakers North America initiative, including the Scholarship Program and Impact Fund, supporting students and non-profit organizations.
Titled “Igniting Creative Opportunity,” the program is aimed at individuals and organizations helping to inspire positive social change and break down barriers in arts and culture.
More from WWD
Furthering its commitment to empower change, Gucci Changemakers North America is expanding its programming with a new Creative Fellows Initiative to uplift leaders who use creativity to spark social action and community impact. The invite-only program, initially for past Gucci Changemakers Scholarship recipients, will provide a grant of up to $25,000 and mentorship to support the fellows in the next chapter of their work through sponsorship of a project or a business plan.
To kick off Gucci Changemakers North America’s fifth chapter, the brand will host a celebration in Washington, D.C., at The Reach at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The event will include a conversation on creative leaders igniting social change moderated by activist and educator Brittany Packnett Cunningham, along with Changemaker recipient and founder of Black Girl environmentalist Wawa Gatheru; Imani Ellis, founder of CultureCon; gallerist Hannah Traore, and Gucci Changemaker scholar and artist Yetunde Sapp for the Changemakers community. During the Washington event, Gucci Changemakers will also premiere the newest film by artist/director Zen Pace, focused on this year’s theme of igniting creative opportunity.
Since 2019 Gucci Changemakers North America has invested over $6.5 million in community funding and scholarship programs – positively impacting the lives of over 600,000 community members. These investments empower diverse young people through education by giving a voice to the next generation and supporting grassroots organizations that drive meaningful impact.
In its first four years Gucci Changemakers North America has supported over 40 nonprofit Impact Fund partner organizations and granted over 70 scholarships to students. The impact fund provides up to $50,000 in grants to at least 12 nonprofit organizations annually and will now accept applications on a rolling basis through the end of September 2024. The Scholars program will award 12 students a one-year scholarship for up to $20,000 based on their financial needs.
Gucci recently expanded the overall program in the EMEA region with the launch of Gucci Changemakers London. The multi-year initiative will partner with the London College of Fashion and the University of the Arts to offer multidisciplinary scholarships to students who face financial barriers in accessing higher education and promote a positive impact in the capital’s fashion and creative industries.
The Scholars program will award 12 students a one-year scholarship for up to $20,000 based on their financial needs. Students with at least two semesters left at the start of the fall 2024 semester at an accredited community college or four-year university, including graduating high school seniors, will be eligible to apply. Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and diverse students studying fashion, design, art, business, merchandising, law, film, music, and other creative or business-oriented programs within the 12 Changemakers focus cities and beyond are encouraged to apply. Initial applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Feb. 9.
The Impact Fund will grant up to $1 million to 12 community-based organizations across the select Changemakers cities through 2023 based on program and community needs. The Impact Fund will support community-based social impact areas using arts and culture to bring about positive change. Each awardee will receive a one-year grant for up to $50,000. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
The Creative Fellows Program offers up-and-coming creatives and impact leaders a grant award for up to $25,000 to complete or launch a creative project. The fellowship is open to artists, designers, filmmakers, writers, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and those in other fields that align with the core values and goals of the fellowship.
Best of WWD
