MyImpact Challenge

MyImpact Challenge is a civic engagement contest hosted by the Bill of Rights Institute. Submission is open to US citizens and US-based young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19 and enrolled in middle or high school on January 1, 2024. Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Submission Guidelines

Only submissions entered through MyImpact Challenge’s online portal will be accepted for the contest. The contest is designed for one student per entry, but groups of up to five students may submit as a single group entry. Prizes awarded to group entries will be split evenly between entrants. Past winners of the MyImpact Challenge Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, or Third Prize are not eligible to enter.  

Each submission must include the following:

1. An essay of up to 1,200 words expressing how the student's project furthers:
   • At least one Civic Virtue as defined in the Bill of Rights Institute's “Principles and Virtues.”
   • At least one Founding Principle as defined in the Bill of Rights Institute's “Principles and Virtues.”
2. A report of up to 2,000 words detailing a student’s completed or in-progress civic engagement project. Report must include the following components.
   • The inspiration for the project.
   • The project plan.
   • Details of the project’s execution
   • At least two examples of the project’s demonstrated impact on the community.
   • How the student(s) grew in understanding of the role of Civic virtue, knowledge of their communities, and their ability to support or impact them.
3. Visual documentation of the student’s project and its results in one of the following formats:
   • Photographic Only: No fewer than seven and no more than ten high-resolution still photographs, submitted in either JPEG or PNG format.
   • Video Only: One video of no more than five minutes, submitted in MP4 format
   • Mixed Photographic and Video: No fewer than five and no more than seven high-resolution still photographs as well as one video of no more than two minutes. Photographs must be in either JPEG or PNG format, and video must be in MP4 format.

Qualifying service projects must have taken place between May 22, 2023 and May 19, 2024. Multi-year projects started before May 22, 2023 are eligible for entry if their activity continued after May 22, 2023. Projects that are ongoing as of May 19, 2024 are eligible for entry. Projects completed before May 22, 2023 are not eligible for entry.