IMG Leave Your Mark Grant 2025

Grant Overview

Global Mission and Social Good Funding for Organizations and Individuals Making a Real Difference

Donor: International Medical Group (IMG)

About: IMG’s Leave Your Mark Grant represents nine years of genuine commitment to grassroots change-makers who travel the world to serve others. The numbers tell the story: last year alone, over 800 organizations and individuals applied, making it the most competitive round in the grant’s history.

But here’s what makes this opportunity different. While most funders talk about global impact, IMG actually lives it. Since 1990, they’ve been the insurance backbone for missionaries, volunteers, and social good organizations venturing into some of the world’s most challenging environments. They know the difference between well-meaning intentions and boots-on-the-ground reality.

The Real Money Breakdown

Five winners split $10,000 total. Two organizations take home $3,500 each, while three individuals receive $1,000 each. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s strategic funding that can stretch surprisingly far in the communities these recipients serve.

Q: Is $1,000 really enough to make a difference?
A: Absolutely. Past winners have used individual grants to fund HIV testing for 1,300 expectant mothers in Mali, support farming education in Kenya, and provide care for disabled orphans in Ukraine.

Q: What if I’m not religious?
A: You don’t need to be. Secular social good organizations and individuals are equally welcome and have won in previous years.

What They’re Actually Looking For

Forget the generic “transforming communities” language you see everywhere. IMG wants specifics. They’re funding people who can articulate exactly how their work overcomes current global obstacles. Think concrete problems with measurable solutions.

Look at the 2024 winners. Mission of Hope didn’t just say they “help people in the Caribbean.” They detailed 400 million meals served, 163,000 students educated, and 760,000 medical treatments provided since 1998. GAIA Vaccine Foundation didn’t speak in generalities about health equity – they outlined their precise plan to provide free HIV testing to expectant mothers in Bamako, Mali.

Q: Do I need to have years of experience?
A: No. They’ve funded first-time volunteers alongside established organizations.

Q: Can I apply for multiple trips or projects?
A: One application per person or organization only.

The Essay That Actually Wins

Here’s where most applicants mess up. They write about their passion instead of their plan. IMG wants to see strategy, not just sentiment. Your 500-word essay needs to answer two critical questions with brutal specificity:

For organizations: How exactly is your work addressing current global obstacles? What specific barrier will this $3,500 help you overcome?

For individuals: Why is this particular mission trip essential right now? What measurable impact will your $1,000 create that wouldn’t happen otherwise?

The winning essays read like focused project proposals, not personal statements. They include numbers, timelines, and concrete outcomes.

Q: Can I submit a video instead?
A: Yes, a 3-minute video essay covering the same questions.

Q: What if English isn’t my first language?
A: Quality matters more than perfect grammar. Focus on clear communication of your impact plan.

Past Winner Patterns

Analyzing eight years of winners reveals clear trends. Successful organizations typically combine direct service with capacity building. They don’t just provide aid; they build local infrastructure that continues after they leave.

Individual winners often support established programs rather than starting from scratch. They partner with existing organizations that have proven track records, using the grant to expand specific initiatives.

Geographic diversity matters. Winners represent work across Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. IMG clearly values global reach over regional concentration.

Q: Do I need to work with an existing IMG client?
A: No, but many winners do use IMG insurance for their international work.

Q: When will winners be announced?
A: October 16, 2025.

The application deadline isn’t negotiable. September 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time means exactly that. Late submissions don’t get reviewed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can for-profit organizations apply?
A: No, this is specifically for mission and social good organizations plus individuals doing volunteer service.

Q: Is there an age limit for individual applicants?
A: Yes, you must be at least 18 years old.

Q: What happens to my essay after submission?
A: Winning entries become property of IMG as works made for hire.

Q: Can I reapply if I don’t win this year?
A: Yes, many organizations and individuals apply multiple times.

Q: Are there restrictions on how I can use the money?
A: Funds must support your stated mission, volunteer, or service work as described in your application.

Look, putting together a compelling grant application takes serious strategy. If you’re committed to making this opportunity count and want expert guidance on crafting an application that stands out from hundreds of others, that’s exactly what we do at Grantaura. Sometimes a professional perspective on your story can make all the difference between a good application and a winning one. CLICK HERE to get GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING help.

Focus: Mission work, volunteer service, social good, global outreach, international development, humanitarian aid, community impact, grassroots organizations

Region: Worldwide

Eligibility:
– Must be at least 18 years old
– Organizations must be mission-focused or social good nonprofits
– Individuals must be participating in mission, volunteer, or service trips
– Cannot be subject to 18 U.S.C. § 1033
– Open to applicants worldwide

Benefits:
– Financial Award: Two organizations receive $3,500 each, three individuals receive $1,000 each
– Recognition: Public announcement and promotion of winning projects
– Networking: Connection to IMG’s global community of mission and service organizations

Deadline: September 12, 2025

Terms:
– Work Made for Hire: Winning essays and videos become property of International Medical Group
– Single Award: Only one prize per person, non-transferable and non-refundable
– Content Requirements: Submissions must be original work without third-party intellectual property
– Age Verification: All applicants must provide proof of being 18 years or older
– Global Eligibility: Open worldwide but subject to local laws and regulations

Author: In my years of analyzing grant programs, I’ve seen too many mission-focused funding opportunities that prioritize paperwork over real-world impact. What drew me to create Grantaura was witnessing the gap between worthy causes and accessible funding – exactly the space IMG’s Leave Your Mark Grant fills so effectively. This program doesn’t just fund good intentions; it backs proven strategies for global change. Having helped hundreds of mission organizations and individual volunteers navigate complex funding landscapes, I recognize how rare it is to find a donor that truly understands the unique challenges of international service work. That understanding, built through IMG’s 35 years of insuring missionaries and volunteers worldwide, makes this grant opportunity exceptionally valuable for those ready to make their mark on the world.