Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women

Donor: Soroptimist International of the Americas

About: The Live Your Dream Awards provide financial support to women who are the primary earners for their families, helping them pursue educational and career training goals. With over $3 million awarded annually, the program offers cash awards across three levels: club, region, and international, with a maximum award of $16,000 per recipient. These grants assist women facing financial hardship and personal challenges such as poverty, domestic violence, or loss of a spouse, enabling them to complete educational programs, buy books, arrange childcare, and access transportation. Each applicant submits through the Soroptimist club system, which follows local timelines for judging and fund distribution. Applications must be submitted online and include a personal statement detailing financial need and career goals. Recipients are selected based on financial need, motivation, and alignment with educational and career objectives.

Focus:

• Women’s education
• Vocational training
• Financial support for single mothers
• Career development

Region:
Soroptimist member countries and territories: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela

Eligibility:

• Primary financial provider for self and dependents
• Financial need
• Enrolled in or accepted to a vocational program or undergraduate degree program
• Resides in a member country/territory
• Has not previously received this award or a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award
• No graduate degree or enrollment in a graduate program
• Not a Soroptimist member, employee, or family member of either

Benefits:

• Club-level award: Up to $1,000
• Region-level award: $3,000 – $5,000
• International-level award: $10,000

Explanation of Terms:

• Club-Level, Region-Level, International-Level: Three stages of awards where applicants advance based on selection criteria; each level provides progressively larger awards.
• Primary Financial Provider: Refers to women who are the main income earners supporting their family or dependents.
• Personal Statement Requirement: Applicants must share their story and financial need in their own words, highlighting the significance of the award for their educational and career goals.