2025 marks the 6th year of the Gucci Changemakers North America Impact Fund, which awards one-year grants to grassroots non-profit organizations dedicated to art and community. Since 2019, it has contributed to 67 non-profit organizations across the continent. Every year, they announce Gucci Changemakers Scholars, which has thus far provided funding to 74 talented students.
This year’s applications for the Impact Fund, Scholars, and Creative Fellows opened on January 13, 2025 and close on February 21, 2025. The scholar’s program is open to undergraduate students and graduating high school students looking to pursue creative industries or business. The Creative Fellows program is exclusive to recipients of the Gucci Changemakers Scholarship. This year’s Impact Fund is focusing on organizations in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston.
This past year’s recipients are no different than years past; they are unique and diverse organizations making an impact on access to the arts in their community. One of the recipients is Canadian: Art Starts in Toronto uses art to promote social change in the city’s underserved communities, encouraging self-expression and creativity to foster stronger and more spirited neighbourhoods.
The full list of 2024 Impact Fund recipients are:
Art Reach, Philadelphia, PA
Art Starts, Toronto, Canada
Black Design Collective, Los Angeles, CA
Chicago Youth Programs, Chicago, IL
Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Washington D.C.
National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA
Radical Partners, Miami, FL
Ruth Ellis Center, Detroit, MI
STEM From Dance, New York, NY
The Texas Supremacy of Music & Arts Conservatory, Houston, TX
Trombone Shorty Foundation, New Orleans, LA
Youth Art Exchange, San Francisco, CA
2024’s Gucci Changemakers are Celeste Nicole, Keith Herron, Yetunde Sapp, and Zahra Josita Jackson, who each received funding and mentorship for their personal creative endeavours.