Two $10,000 awards for early-stage social enterprises using hospitality and tourism for positive global impact. Apply Now!
Donor: STREETS International
About: The STREETS Global Awards celebrate outstanding early-stage social enterprises and initiatives driving positive social impact through hospitality and tourism, but here’s what they’re not telling you upfront – this isn’t just another feel-good award ceremony. It’s a strategic launchpad designed to amplify the voices of organizations that actually get their hands dirty solving real problems through travel and hospitality.
STREETS International knows what it takes to make social impact work in hospitality because they’ve been doing it since 2009, providing impoverished youth with professional level training and apprenticing in culinary arts and hospitality service. They understand the industry from the ground up, which is why their awards program cuts through the noise to find organizations that are genuinely moving the needle.
Let’s be blunt about what wins these awards. Two awards of $10,000 each are given: one for youth development and one for excellence in social enterprise through tourism. The Alan Spanier Impact Award for Youth Development in Tourism targets organizations empowering young people in hospitality, while the STREETS Social Enterprise Award recognizes ventures using tourism as a tool for positive social change.
But money aside, every single applicant walks away with something valuable. The application process itself is designed to help you strengthen your storytelling, clarify your impact metrics, and present transparent financials – skills that will serve you long after the awards ceremony.
What makes this different from other tourism awards? STREETS International operates as a self-sustaining initiative with all revenues from their restaurant and culinary programs, meaning they understand both the social impact side and the business sustainability challenge. They’re not asking you to choose between doing good and staying afloat.
The judging criteria reflect this practical understanding. They evaluate governance structure, mission clarity, measurable social impact, innovation that actually solves problems, strategic partnerships, communication effectiveness, and – crucially – financial transparency and sustainability planning.
This is exclusively for legally recognized organizations in their first 1-5 years. Individual applicants can’t apply, period. These awards spotlight innovation, sustainability, community empowerment, and measurable impact among mission-driven businesses, nonprofits, and NGOs worldwide.
If you’re a startup social enterprise struggling to articulate your impact, this application process will force you to get crystal clear on your value proposition. If you’re already established and looking for validation rather than growth, this probably isn’t your fit.
The international judging panel brings serious credibility, but more importantly, they bring connections. The evaluation focuses on partnerships and engagement with key sponsors, leaders, social and commercial enterprises, NGOs, and governments. Winners and finalists get plugged into a network that extends far beyond the $10,000 prize money.
Consider this: professional grant research services typically cost thousands, but the mentorship and guidance every applicant receives here is included at no cost. The global recognition and media exposure can be worth multiples of the cash award for organizations smart enough to leverage it.
Based on the judging criteria, here’s where most applications fall apart: vague impact measurement, weak governance documentation, unrealistic financial projections, and poor communication strategy. The panels want to see organizations that can clearly articulate not just what they do, but how they measure success and sustain operations long-term.
Applications must be submitted in English through the Award Force platform, and once you hit submit, changes aren’t allowed unless STREETS specifically requests additional information.
Applications close August 15, 2025. The timeline is tight but strategic: initial review happens in July-August, expert judging runs September-October, finalists get announced in November, and the award ceremony happens in December. This gives winners a full year to implement funded initiatives before the next award cycle.
For organizations serious about scaling their social impact through hospitality and tourism, missing this deadline means waiting another full year for a similar opportunity with this level of credibility and financial support.
Honestly, putting together a proposal this comprehensive requires serious preparation. If you’re committed to this opportunity and want expert guidance on positioning your social enterprise for maximum impact, that’s exactly what we do at Grantaura. Professional grant writing support can make the difference between a good application and a winning one. Just something to consider. CLICK HERE to get the GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING help.
Focus: Social enterprises, hospitality innovation, tourism impact, youth development, community empowerment, sustainable tourism, early-stage organizations, mission-driven businesses
Region: Worldwide, Global, International, All Countries
Eligibility:
– Mission-driven organizations in their first 1-5 years of operation
– Legally recognized entities only (social enterprises, nonprofits, NGOs, registered businesses)
– Organizations driving positive social impact through hospitality and tourism
– Must submit application and supporting documents in English
– Only one application per organization allowed
– Individual applicants are not eligible
Benefits:
– Financial Award: Two $10,000 prizes (Alan Spanier Impact Award for Youth Development in Tourism and STREETS Social Enterprise Award for Hospitality & Tourism)
– Mentorship: Expert guidance and feedback for every applicant
– Recognition: Global media exposure and finalist certificates
– Networking: Access to international panel of judges and industry leaders
– Platform: Award Force secure evaluation system
Deadline: August 15, 2025
Terms:
– Mission-driven organization: An entity that prioritizes social, environmental, or ethical mission over profit, guiding all operations toward positive community impact
– Early-stage: Organizations in their first 1-5 years of operation, typically still developing core programs and establishing sustainability
– Social enterprise: A business that generates revenue while explicitly addressing social or environmental challenges
– Legal recognition: Formal registration as a nonprofit, NGO, social enterprise, or business entity recognized by government authorities
– Award Force platform: International secure evaluation system used for application submission and transparent judging process
We are your trusted grant application partners. You can navigate the entire grant application process with our expert guidance through this simple 5-step process.
Fill out the "Apply for this grant" form with your information and grant requirements.
Our grant experts will assess your eligibility and notify you via email.
A dedicated grant expert will be assigned to discuss next steps for your application.
Our expert will help you complete and submit your application with all required materials.
The grant committee will make their decision and notify successful applicants.
