The S.F.-based Helen Diller Family Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2016 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, which recognize Jewish teens for their leadership and innovative social action projects.
Fifteen teens, up to five from California and 10 from the rest of the United States, each will receive $36,000 for the award, which can be put toward their project or education. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 13.
The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards have granted more than $2.5 million to 70 U.S. Jewish teens since their inception in 2007. Until 2012, the program was open only to teens who lived in California.
Past recipients have made their mark through projects including building a community garden in an economically disadvantaged city; creating a club for homeless and disadvantaged high-school students; and creating an organization for autistic children and other kids with special needs.
Teens between the ages of 13-19 at the time of nomination who self-identify as Jewish are eligible. Nominations cannot be submitted by family members, but teens can nominate themselves. Often, nominations come from educators, civic leaders and teen mentors.
Beyond the awards, the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, has several other projects aimed at developing leadership in teens and enhancing Jewish education. Diller, of Woodside, died earlier this year.
For information on how to nominate a teen, visit www.dillerteenawards.org or call (415) 512-6432.