10-for-10 Program

Elevating Justice-Involved Leaders to Transform Systems

The 10-for-10 Program is Canary Impact’s flagship initiative, designed to catalyze justice-involved leaders of all ages to address systemic injustices and create lasting change. By providing direct investment, mentorship, and resources, the program amplifies the voices of individuals who bring lived expertise and bold visions to dismantle inequities in the criminal legal system throughout the nation.

At its core, 10-for-10 builds a collaborative community of changemakers, equipping them with the tools and connections to develop innovative solutions that inspire systemic transformation.

What Sets 10-for-10 Apart

• Betting on Success: The program uplifts justice-involved individuals, supporting them to channel their lived experiences into actionable, impactful solutions.
• A National Platform: Participants join a network of visionaries tackling a wide range of critical issues, including LGBTQIA+ advocacy, disability rights, reentry, and sentencing reform efforts.
• Driving Long-Term Impact: By supporting leaders to experiment with innovative ideas, 10-for-10 creates ripple effects that extend throughout the U.S.

Program Benefits

• Catalytic Investment

Each participant receives a $10,000 financial award to advance their leadership journey and develop transformative projects.

• Collaborative Network

Participants join a community of peers committed to justice reform, fostering shared learning, resource exchange, and collective growth.

• Cohort Connection

Participants join a vibrant community of peers, building a supportive network that encourages collaboration, shared learning, and collective action.

• Tailored Leadership Support

Through mentorship and strategic guidance, participants gain practical tools to refine their initiatives and maximize their impact.

Pathway to Transformation

The 10-for-10 Program is a journey of creativity and confidence, demonstrating the transformative effect of investing in those with lived experience. We equip participants with the confidence, resources, and skills to lead change. With guidance from Canary Impact’s nationally-recognized community of coaches and alumni, participants develop innovative strategies to dismantle systemic inequities, building pathways toward equity and inclusion.

This program goes beyond individual success—it’s about creating a movement of leaders who are reshaping systems and fostering sustainable change.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the 10-for-10 Program, candidates must:

• Have a history of incarceration.
• Have an innovative idea that will lead to systemic change
• Reside in the U.S.
• Propose work that does not involve lobbying activities.
• Have not previously received funds from Canary Impact.
• Please note that priority will be given to those who have not received funding. *

Timeline

• February 23rd at 3 PM  – First Application Open 
• March 13th  – Webinar at 3 PM EST 
• April 10th  –  Priority Deadline for First Application Closes
• May 1st  – First Application Closes at 12 PM EST
• May 11 – INVITE ONLY: Conversations (for Round 2 Candidates)
• May 18th – Second Application Opens (for Invited Candidates)
• June 1st  – Second Application Closes 
• June 10th  – Winners notified 
• June 16th – Collection of Documents DUE 
• June 22nd – Public Announcement 
• July 1st – Program Begins

IMPORTANT: Please review the linked Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Webinar.

Note: If you have already received one of the prestigious awards in our sector, such as the David Prize, Galaxy Gives Fellowship, Soros Fellowship, or MacArthur Award, we're proud of you. However, Canary Impact seeks to support leaders who have not yet achieved that level of success and recognition.

We do not have a specific word count and encourage all applicants to provide the most detail to the best of their ability. We recommend drafting and editing your ideas somewhere else (on paper or in Google Docs) before submitting your responses. The reviewers need to understand your idea, so we encourage you to have a friend or colleague read your responses before submission.

Supporting the Next Generation of Justice Leaders

The NextWave Leadership Program is Canary Impact’s youth-focused initiative, designed to support justice-involved leaders aged 18-25. This program addresses the unique challenges faced by young people disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system, equipping them with the tools, mentorship, and community needed to transform their experiences into leadership and advocacy.

NextWave is more than a program—it’s a launchpad for a new generation of changemakers, ready to challenge systemic inequities and reshape the future. By providing these emerging leaders with the skills and resources to overcome barriers, Canary Impact inspires a movement of resilience, innovation, and transformation.

What Makes NextWave Unique

• Targeted Support for Youth: Tailored to the needs of young leaders, the program offers mentorship and resources designed to address the challenges of reentry, systemic inequities, and generational trauma.
• Investing in People, Not Just Projects: NextWave prioritizes individual growth and leadership journeys, creating accessible pathways to success for bold thinkers and fresh innovators.
• Catalyzing Systemic Change: By supporting youth leaders, the program sparks innovative solutions that challenge the root causes of mass incarceration and drive progress toward decarceration and equity.

Program Highlights

• $10,000 Financial Investment

Each program participant receives a financial award to support their leadership journey, whether through education, advocacy, or community-focused initiatives.

• Comprehensive Leadership Development

Program participants engage in a structured curriculum that fosters personal growth, professional skills, and a deeper understanding of systemic reform.

• Cohort Connection

Participants join a vibrant community of peers, building a supportive network that encourages collaboration, shared learning, and collective action.

• Capacity Building for Long-Term Success

Training and mentorship empower participants with practical skills in effective communication, resilience, and leadership, preparing them to overcome systemic barriers and achieve meaningful change.

The Journey

The NextWave Leadership Program is rooted in the belief that young people with lived experience of the criminal legal system hold the power to create transformative change. Throughout the year, program participants are immersed in a nurturing environment of mentorship, training, and collaboration, unlocking their potential and preparing them to lead initiatives that challenge the status quo.

Guided by experienced mentors from the social justice community, program participants gain valuable insights into advocacy, justice reform, and leadership. They emerge as transformative leaders, ready to inspire change and create lasting impact in their communities.

Eligibility

To apply for the NextWave Leadership Program, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be aged 18 to 25.
• Have a history of incarceration.
• Have an innovative idea that will lead to systemic change
• Reside in the U.S. and focus their work within U.S. communities.
• Propose work that excludes lobbying activities.
• Not have previously received Canary Impact’s 10-for-10 Program (formerly known as the Canary Impact Prize)
• Please note that priority will be given to those who have not received funding. *

Timeline

• February 23rd at 3 PM  – First Application Open 
• April 10th  – Webinar at 3 PM EST 
• April 10th  –  Priority Deadline for First Application Closes
• May 1st  – First Application Closes at 12 PM EST
• May 11 – INVITE ONLY: Conversations (for Round 2 Candidates)
• May 18th – Second Application Opens (for Invited Candidates)
• June 1st  – Second Application Closes 
• June 10th  – Winners notified 
• June 16th – Collection of Documents DUE 
• June 22nd – Public Announcement 
• July 1st – Program Begins

IMPORTANT: Please review the linked Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Webinar.

Note: If you have already received one of the prestigious awards in our sector, such as the David Prize, Galaxy Gives Fellowship, Soros Fellowship, or MacArthur Award, we're proud of you. However, Canary Impact seeks to support leaders who have not yet achieved that level of success and recognition.

We do not have a specific word count and encourage all applicants to provide the most detail to the best of their ability. We recommend drafting and editing your ideas somewhere else (on paper or in Google Docs) before submitting your responses. The reviewers need to understand your idea, so we encourage you to have a friend or colleague read your responses before submission.