Young people have the power and passion to create ripples of good and repair the world.
Every year, the Helen Diller Family Foundation awards up to 15 Jewish teens with $36,000 each for their leadership efforts to change the world. From the environment to social justice to access to education and beyond, these young people are tackling big challenges in their communities and having tremendous impact.
The Helen Diller Family Foundation supports programs and institutions in both the Bay Area and throughout the world, with a focus on education, science, and the arts. The Foundation invests in Jewish teens, creating powerful experiences that strengthen both their Jewish identity and their leadership abilities.
About the Foundation >The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards is a program of the Helen Diller Family Foundation. Jewish values inform the work of the Foundation. In the words of Helen Diller, “It’s never too late, too early, or too often to give back and make the world a better place.”
The Foundation is committed to engendering respect for all humanity and building bridges of understanding between different cultures. We welcome diversity within the Jewish community and embrace its racial, ethnic, and religious differences. The Foundation condemns any organization or ideology associated with hatred, including but not limited to racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, antisemitism, and any other form of bigotry or harassment.
Applications are open Applications will open August 2023 Nominations will open August 2023
Nomination deadline
December 22, 2023
Application deadline
January 5, 2024
Semifinalist announcements
March 2024
Finalist announcements
April 2024
Awardee announcements
June 2024
Sign up for updates about deadlines, Awardees, inspiring projects, and more.
Applicants and nominees must be:
To qualify, applications should:
Applicants must be:
– 13-19 years old
– Currently serving in a leadership role on a project/initiative aimed at repairing the world
– Identify as Jewish
– Volunteering without any compensation
– Residents of the United States
Note: Teens who have created and co-led projects with others are welcome to apply individually for the Tikkun Olam Award. In such cases, each applicant will be considered and evaluated separately, and no more than one applicant per project will be chosen as an award recipient.
Note: Teens are not eligible for the Award if they have a sibling who has received a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award in the preceding five years.
The $36,000 Award may be used to further the recipient’s philanthropic work or for their education. Recipients can speak with philanthropic advisors at the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, who will explain their financial options.
Projects can have a local, national, or global focus benefiting the Jewish or general community. Applicants can create a new project or contribute to an established initiative if they demonstrate a current, significant leadership role in an existing organization or project. We recommend you view past Award recipients to get an understanding of the types of projects that have been recognized.
Bold. Inventive. Optimistic. Extraordinary. These Jewish teen leaders are making their mark in significant ways.
Learn More
Peyton Klein was a recipient of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award in 2018 for her leadership in founding Global Minds Initiative (GMI), which pairs English learners with native speakers to practice conversational skills, navigate school systems, and participate in thought-provoking activities. Since receiving the Award, Peyton has expanded the GMI team and developed Camp Global Minds, which provides leadership training to youth and adult allies, and facilitates brave conversations.
Some of Peyton’s major milestones include:
To date: Engaged over 2,600 students in English Language Learner (ELL) activities through programs and fellowships
2021: Merged GMI with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh to become the Council’s leading education program
2022: Listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree