In August 2024, the Prebys Foundation launched Prebys Sparx to invite a wide range of new or existing solutions that employ arts, culture, and/or nature to address growing mental health disparities and promote behavioral well-being among young people ages 0-25 in the San Diego region. Up to four honorable mentions will each receive $25,000 and one grand prize winner will receive $1 million.

Please contact us with any challenge-related questions, requests for help with accessibility and special accommodations, and technical support. 

Once you have registered and throughout the challenge, we will send important notifications to the email address associated with your account, as well as the primary and secondary contacts listed on your registration form. There are three important steps you can take to make sure these messages are received promptly:

1. Add our email address to your contacts.

2. Whitelist our email address. Here are instructions to add to your whitelist in most major email providers.

3. Update your registration form right away if one of your contacts changes. If you need to make a contact change after the application window has closed, please email us, and we will assist you.

Prebys Sparx welcomes applications from nonprofit entities serving San Diego County. Each applicant must identify a Lead Organization, and Lead Organizations must be based in San Diego County or partner with a nonprofit that is based in San Diego County to be eligible. The Lead Organization will assume responsibility for the receipt and management of any award. The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

• An entity serving San Diego County, California described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”), that has received a tax determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (such entity, a “501(c)(3) organization”).  

• A fiscally-sponsored nonprofit organization serving San Diego County, California. 

Review the Rules for a complete set of eligibility requirements. NOTE: Projects that employ culture to promote behavioral well-being are welcome to apply. Please select “arts and culture” from the options listed under Solution Category when registering.

Prebys Sparx welcomes applications from eligible nonprofit organizations located anywhere in the U.S. and U.S. territories that serve San Diego County. Organizations must be based in San Diego County or partner with a nonprofit that is based in San Diego County to be eligible.

Partnerships must demonstrate authentic collaboration between organizations and must continue for the duration of the one-year project period at minimum. Memorandums of understanding may be requested from Finalists to verify authentic, sustained collaboration. Review the submission requirements to learn more about partnerships.

All proposed projects must serve and benefit youth communities in San Diego County, California. Proposed projects must impact San Diego young people ages 0-25—some benefits are allowed for adults ages 26 and over but the proposed solution should be focused primarily on young people ages 0-25.

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