Number of awards: Up to 10 Chapters will be funded.

Funding Amount: $5,000

Project Timeline: October 14, 2025 – January 16, 2026

Summary: The 84 Movement’s PSE Prevention Project will equip The 84 Chapters with training and resources that will enhance their abilities to create lasting upstream changes in the policies, systems, and environments of their communities as related to youth tobacco-, vaping-, and nicotine-use. Upstream public health means figuring out why something is a problem in the first place, rather than looking at individual behavior to address a problem. For example, it focuses on social inequities like people’s income level, race, immigration status, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Upstream public health also focuses on institutional inequities in government agencies, schools, businesses, nonprofits, and laws and regulations that might be unfairly benefiting certain groups based on their identity. Often, upstream work will point directly to the existence of structural racism.

Using an upstream approach to their PSE Prevention Projects, grantees will: 1) conduct research, 2) identify key stakeholders, and 3) present their research findings to identified stakeholders at a school board, board of health, government panel, coalition meeting, or town hall. Below are examples of projects that Chapters have successfully implemented using this upstream approach:

While these are examples of successful projects in the past, applicants are welcome to identify their own topic of relevance.

Programs will be provided with:

• A collection of virtual training resources;

• Troubleshooting sessions and technical assistance during monthly meetings to support successful implementation;

• The 84 staff feedback during the midway progress report;

• A culminating exhibition event at the Youth Power Summit where young people can showcase their work and network with others from across the state.

Expectations: The 84 Movement’s PSE Prevention Project grants will be given to youth-serving organizations that are interested in incorporating programming that would support lasting upstream changes in the policies, systems, and environments of their communities as related to youth tobacco-, vaping-, and nicotine-use. Grantees will be required to attend monthly meetings to discuss their progress, as well as the Youth Power Summit. Grantees will be required to submit a brief progress report midway through the project, and a final report upon completion, including a presentation to a key stakeholder.

The grant will be issued in one payment upon execution of the contract. Funding may be used to pay for staff time, consultants, youth stipends, refreshments, supplies and materials, and transportation.

Required events:

• The 84 Movement’s Youth Power Summit on January 24, 2026 (date subject to change)

• Virtual monthly meetings for adult advisors and The 84 staff to track project progress

Grantees must present their work at the Youth Power Summit. Examples of Youth Power Summit activities that could fulfill this requirement include:

• Creating a poster or other display about the project;

• Hosting an informational session;

• Serving as a panel representative;

• Inviting a key stakeholder to speak on a panel.

Transportation to and from the Youth Power Summit will be provided by The 84 Movement separately from grant funds. Please do not budget for this expense in your application.

Applications must be submitted by 3:00 PM on Friday, October 3, 2025. Applicants will be notified whether they will receive funding by October 10, 2025. The 84 will host a virtual information session on September 17, 2025, where interested applicants will be able to ask questions. Grantees will receive a calendar invitation with the important dates after receiving funding.