How Winning a Grant From Hunter's Fund Changes Lives
Since 2017, Hunter’s Fund has awarded more than 50 grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to creative and business-minded teenagers and young adults around the world.
From recording artists to filmmakers to podcasters, pilots, and entrepreneurs of all strides, Hunter’s Fund seeks to improve the world by investing in young people with diverse interests and powerful ideas of how to implement their passions in the world.
The fund is inspired by the life of Hunter Watson, a beloved, charismatic, and extremely talented musician, athlete, student, and entrepreneur who was killed in a distracted driving crash in 2016.
Unlike other grant programs, anyone can apply to Hunter’s Fund regardless of education, GPA, or prior work experience. Hunter’s Fund exists to empower young people with big dreams and give them the funding they need to make their dreams a reality.
What have Hunter’s Fund Grant recipients gone on to accomplish?
In 2017, grant winner and NYC-based musician Jackson Hirsch applied for grant to help expand his recording studio in order to produce his own music and provide services to other artists. After receiving a grant, Hirsch successfully recorded his first demo - and two years later got signed to one of the top record labels in the world. Hirsch, who performs under the moniker Rence, is now in his second year on Epic Record’s roster alongside artists including Mariah Carey, Travis Scott, and Outkast.
High school student Jacob O’Connor applied for a grant from Hunter’s Fund to finance a recording studio for his podcast “Venture Mentality.” Jacob is passionate about inspiring others and wanted to create a podcast featuring interviews with top business owners and entrepreneurs. Since receiving a grant, O’Connor has interviewed some of the world's most inspirational authors, athletes, and entrepreneurs including Marc Randolph (Co-founder of Netflix,) Jay Harris (ESPN Anchor,) and Chris Pronger (NFL Hall of Fame hockey player.)
Grant-winner Calum Smeaton landed a gig producing audio tours with the Smithsonian Institute thanks in part to funding from Hunter’s Fund. While attending college at UVA, Smeaton applied for a grant to purchase equipment in hopes of improving his audio-recording business. Smeaton’s new equipment and auditory expertise helped him score a job with the Smithsonian Institute recording audio tours at museums across Washington D.C.
How to apply for a grant from Hunter’s Fund
Anyone between the ages of 16 and 26 can apply for a grant
All awards range from $500 to $5,000 based on submitted budgets. All grantees are partnered with an appropriate mentor to encourage their progress and growth as they move towards their goals.
Applications are reviewed and accepted twice a year.
Deadlines are June 15 and November 15.
Selected grantees are announced in August and January.