Open Call for Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards (US)

Deadline: 22-Dec-2026

The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize Jewish teenagers in the United States who demonstrate exceptional leadership through volunteer initiatives that create measurable community impact. Selected teens receive a $36,000 award that can be used for education or their volunteer initiative, along with leadership development, networking, media exposure, and ongoing support. What Are the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards? The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards celebrate Jewish teens who are making a meaningful difference through volunteer-led projects. The programme is based on the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, commonly understood as contributing to the improvement or repair of the world. The awards recognize young people who do more than participate in volunteering. They demonstrateleadership, initiative, commitment, and measurable impact through projects addressing community or social challenges. Why the Awards Matter Teen-led community initiatives can address important social, environmental, educational, and humanitarian challenges while giving young people practical leadership experience. The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards provide recognition and financial support to teens who are already creating positive change. The strongest nominations should explain both what the teen did and what difference it made. How Does the Nomination Process Work? The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards use a nomination-based process.

Step 1: Identify an Eligible Teen Leader

The nominee should meet the programme’s age, Jewish identity, U.S. residency, leadership, and volunteer project requirements.

Step 2: Choose a Qualified Nominator

The nomination must be submitted by someone who knows the teen. The nominator cannot be a family member. A suitable nominator should be able to provide meaningful information about the teen’s: Leadership. Volunteer work. Personal commitment. Project impact. Connection to tikkun olam.

Step 3: Describe the Volunteer Initiative

The nomination should clearly explain:

The problem being addressed. How the project began. The teen’s role. What actions the teen took. Who benefited. What measurable results were achieved.

Step 4: Demonstrate Leadership

The nomination should distinguish the teen’s individual contribution from the work of the wider organization or volunteer group. Explain what the teen personally initiated, organized, developed, or changed.

Step 5: Complete the Evaluation Process

Nominations go through multiple evaluation stages involving committees made up of volunteers and leaders. Award recipients are notified following the selection process, with awardees expected to be notified in late May. What Makes a Strong Nomination? A strong nomination should tell a clear story of problem → leadership → action → measurable impact.

Important factors include:

Exceptional leadership. Initiative and originality. Long-term commitment. Community benefit. Measurable results. Personal responsibility for the project. Alignment with tikkun olam. Potential for continued impact. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Nominators should avoid:

Describing only general volunteer participation. Failing to explain the teen’s leadership role. Providing impact claims without evidence. Focusing entirely on the organization rather than the nominee. Giving vague descriptions of the project’s outcomes. Ignoring the values behind the initiative. Selecting a family member as the nominator. Failing to demonstrate that the project is conducted from the United States. Tips for a Strong Nomination A compelling nomination should use specific examples rather than general praise. For example, instead of simply stating that a teen is “an excellent leader,” explain: What challenge they identified. What solution they created or helped develop. How many people were reached. What resources they mobilized. How the project changed over time. What measurable results were achieved. How the teen inspired or organized other volunteers. The nomination should make it easy for evaluators to understand why the teen’s leadership is exceptional. Key Information at a Glance

Award: Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards

Target group: Jewish teen leaders

Age: 15–19 by the application deadline

Award amount: $36,000 per recipient

Award use: Education or volunteer initiative

Project requirement: Volunteer initiative with measurable impact

Leadership requirement: Nominee must serve in a leadership role

Nominator: Someone who knows the teen and is not a family member

Core value: Tikkun olam

Additional benefits: Leadership development, networking, retreat, media opportunities, and ongoing support

Selection: Multiple evaluation rounds

Notification: Awardees are notified in late May

Frequently Asked Questions What are the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards? The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize Jewish teenagers in the United States who demonstrate exceptional leadership and measurable impact through volunteer initiatives that reflect the value of tikkun olam. How much money does each award recipient receive? Each selected teen receives a $36,000 award, which can be used toward education or the recipient’s volunteer initiative. Who can be nominated for the award? Jewish teens who are 15 to 19 years old by the application deadline, live in the United States, and lead a volunteer initiative with measurable impact may be eligible. Can a family member nominate a teenager? No. The nomination must come from someone who knows the teen but is not a family member. Does the volunteer project need to be based in the United States? Yes. The volunteer initiative must be conducted from the United States, and the nominee must reside in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. What does tikkun olam mean in this award? Tikkun olam is a Jewish value commonly associated with repairing or improving the world. In the awards programme, it represents the commitment to creating positive change through meaningf