9/11 Day, established in 2002 by family members directly affected by the September 11, 2001, attacks, annually organizes the federally-recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance (known also as “9/11 Day”). Its mission is to inspire millions to engage in acts of kindness, volunteerism, and charitable activities to honor those lost, injured and sickened from the attacks, as well as those who rose in service in response. Today, September 11 is now the largest annual day of service in the United States.

The 2025 Campus Grants for 9/11 Day” program provides funding for colleges and universities to help them organize impactful volunteer service projects that commemorate 9/11 Day, while addressing local community needs.

Applications are due by March 4, 2025. Grant recipients will be notified by April 1, 2025.

The “2025 Campus Grants for 9/11 Day” program broadens the scope of the “9/11 Day College Meal Pack Program,” which only funded meal packing projects. While colleges and universities can continue to apply for grants to fund meal pack projects, the new program now allows them to choose and execute other volunteer service activities that help meet needs specific to their respective communities.

Any reasonable service project will be considered, with preference to projects that address hunger, homelessness, veterans, needs of first responders, environmental sustainability, education, health, revitalization, and other community priorities. Grantees are encouraged to get creative, and innovative, with their project ideas!

Eligible to apply are accredited colleges and universities in the U.S., student honors societies, sororities and fraternities, student life, other campus community service groups, and national organizations that are interested in providing microgrants to their campus affiliates or chapters.

Payments will be made within 30 days of 9/11 Day receiving the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the grantee. Payment will be made to the applying organization.

Colleges and universities, along with campus-based student honor societies, sororities and fraternities, student life, and other campus community service groups may apply for grants at one the following levels:

$2,500
– Volunteer Engagement Requirement: 50 volunteers minimum
– Focus: Smaller-scale, single-day service projects or events addressing a specific community need.

$5,000
– Volunteer Engagement Requirement: 100 volunteers minimum
– Focus: Larger-scale or multi-faceted service events, involving multiple community partners or diverse service activities.

– $10,000
– Volunteer Engagement Requirement: 250 volunteers minimum
– Focus: Campus-wide service initiatives or multi-day events addressing multiple community issues.

National organizations that are interested in providing micro-grants to their campus chapters or affiliates may apply on their behalf for grants of either $25,000 or $50,000, as long as they are able to demonstrate that: (1) a minimum of 10 college campuses will implement service projects under the national organization’s grant, and (2) each of these campus projects meets the volunteer requirements based on the amount of funding they each receive.

Due to certain restrictions in the use of federal funds, 9/11 Day will not fund activities/projects that:

1. Attempt to influence legislation;
2. Organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts or strikes;
3. Assist, promote or deter union organizing;
4. Impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
5. Engage in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
6. Participate in, or endorse, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation or elected officials;
7. Engage in religious instruction, conduct worship services, provide instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;
8. Provide a direct benefit to a business organized for profit; labor union; partisan political organization; nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to engaging in political activities or substantial amount of lobbying except that nothing in these provisions shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and any organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph above, unless 9/11 Day’s assistance is not used to support those religious activities;
9. Conduct a voter registration drive or using AmeriCorps funds to conduct a voter registration drive;
10. Provide abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services.

9/11 Day reserves the right to reject any applications that may violate other rules related to federal funding, or for other reasons at its complete and sole discretion.

In addition to grant funding, 9/11 Day plans to offer:

– A Comprehensive Resource Center that includes service project inspiration and ideas, 9/11 Day educational materials and more.
– Templates for promotional materials and media outreach.
– Access to the 9/11 Day team for guidance and support.

No. Projects are not required to take place on 9/11/25, even though that is preferred. To qualify for a grant, projects do need to take place between September 1 – September 25, 2025, and be promoted as part of the 9/11 Day annual observance.

Yes. Materials or marketing activities used to promote the project, including social media posts, signage, handouts, news releases, may be required to include, subject to campus restrictions, the official logos for this program, such as the logos of 9/11 Day and the federal grant-making agency AmeriCorps. More details and logo assets will be provided to successful grantees.

Yes. Grant recipients must submit a report within 30 days of the event detailing:

– The number of volunteers involved.
– The scope and outcomes of the service project.
– Photos, videos, and other media showcasing the event. Grantees will be responsible for securing releases from attendees for public sharing/posting of images.

Complete the online application form, including details about your institution, proposed service project, and outreach plans. Or email us at [email protected] for a printed or Google application form.

By joining the 9/11 Day Campus Grant Program, your campus will:

– Foster Unity: Inspire students, faculty, and community members to come together in service.
– Make an Impact: Address critical local needs through meaningful projects.
– Honor 9/11: Preserve the legacy of compassion and resilience born from tragedy.
– Participate in the nation’s largest annual day of charitable engagement.


Together, we can inspire the next generation of leaders committed to making a difference.