2025-2026 Contest Rules
1. Contestants must be a senior in high school in United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s service area (Iron Range, Koochiching County, Lake of the Woods County). Home school students are eligible with proof of residence.
2. Contestants must enter a written submission no more than 750 words.
3. Submissions must be original work that has been produced or created by the student.
4. Submissions must address the following questions: • What do you see as the biggest need or challenge in your community? • What are your thoughts on how United Way of Northeastern Minnesota or other groups like United Way could meet that need or address the challenge?
5. Submissions will be judged by a panel of UWNEMN board members and volunteers on the following: • Understanding of Community Need • Proposed Solution or Action Plan • Personal Connection and Motivation • Organization and Clarity • Writing Quality and Mechanics
6. Contest opens 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) November 1, 2025, and closes 11:59 p.m. January 1, 2026.
7. Contestants can submit only one entry.
8. Contest finalists will be notified by email to arrange a brief interview (in person or online) in February 2026.
9. Contest winners will be notified via email by March 2, 2026.
10. Contest winners’ schools will be notified, as well.
11. Contest winners will be requested to provide a short biography and picture that could be published with their essay or video in local newspapers, on UWNEMN websites and social media, and in UWNEMN publications.
12. Winning contestants will be required to sign a Media Release Form. Contest Winners that are 17 years and younger must have the parent/guardian(s) sign the Media Release Form.
13. Up to $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded through this contest; the minimum scholarship amount will be $1,000. Scholarships can be used for expenses related to four-year college, two-year college, or the trades.
14. Scholarships will be awarded to winners at their school’s Awards Ceremony or by May 31, 2026.
*UWNEMN is not responsible for connectivity issues or unexpected site outages that may prevent participants from submitting essays for consideration before the deadline. We consistently maintain the site in order to have it available and operational at all times. However, it is recommended that contest submissions are not left to the last minute in case of unexpected technical difficulties with the site.
If you have any questions, contact sarah@unitedwaynemn.org or call 218-215-2570.
