Supporting organizations and individuals who are imagining and designing a future that does not yet exist but will lay the groundwork for future generations of Gucci Changemakers.
Gucci’s North America Changemakers Impact Fund and Scholarship Program are now open to 2023 applicants.
For the fourth year, Gucci invites organizations and individuals to apply for the Gucci Changemakers Impact Fund. In addition, students interested in building a more diverse fashion industry for the future are encouraged to apply for the Gucci Changemakers Scholars program.
The fourth chapter of Gucci Changemakers North America is titled “Designing a Future Untold.” This application period will focus on supporting and uplifting the next generation of designers, creatives, storytellers, community leaders, and problem solvers.
Gucci Changemakers will seek to fund organizations and individuals imagining and designing the future to create positive change in the world.
Since its launch in 2019, Gucci has invested over $4.7 million in its impactful Gucci Changemakers North America initiative. The funding supports grassroots organizations and empowers diverse young people through education by giving a voice to the next generation. Through Gucci Changemakers Impact Fund grant support, our 2022 non-profit recipient organizations have invested in their communities in impactful ways. For example, Free Root Operation in Chicago works to intercept poverty-induced gun violence by investing in the healing and empowerment of Black and Brown communities in Chicago. In addition, Mosaic, a non-profit theater arts organization in Detroit, is using its grant funding to launch the Wonderland Project, a collective exploration of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The project will culminate with live and filmed performances of original works. In addition, Living Walls, a non-profit organization in Atlanta, creates inclusive, intentional, thought-provoking public art to inspire social change. They have launched a 6-month Atlanta-based artist exchange program that connects two emerging LGBTQIA+ artists to create large-scale murals across two cities. This program will include panel discussions, artist-led training, and workshops for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ artists and art administrators.
In addition to the Impact Fund, the Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Program will award up to 12 students a $20,000 one-year scholarship based on their financial needs. Students with at least two semesters left at the start of the 2023 Fall Semester at an accredited community college or four-year university, including graduating high school seniors, will be eligible to apply. Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and diverse students studying fashion, design, art, business, merchandising, law, film, music, and other creative or business-oriented programs within the 12 Changemakers focus cities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Through support from the Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Fund, our scholarship recipients excel academically and use their talents to create a positive impact within their communities.
For example, Cassius Palacio, who attends the University of Southern California, is studying architecture and leading his organization, Architecture + Advocacy. This social-impact start-up empowers communities to un-design spatial injustice. Likewise, Doreen Pierre, who attends the Parsons School of Design, focuses on fashion design. She hopes to create a fashion line for women, non-binary, and trans-people who love menswear but feel left out of mainstream conversations regarding fashion. Finally, Mahlon West, a first-generation college student attending Howard University, created his street-wear clothing brand, Basement Boy. Through his brand, he hopes to positively impact his community and influence his peers to become creators and innovators.
Please see below to learn more about the fourth chapter of the Gucci Changemakers North America Program. To apply, click here: Scholarship Program and Impact Fund.
