Make Your Mark
Educators across the Alberta Capital Region can get help inspiring their students to become community leaders. With the help of a $1,000 grant from United Way’s Make Your Mark program, together, we can empower kids to make a real difference through hands-on, student-led community and social justice projects.
Sign Up for 2025-26
Get up to $1,000 to Encourage, Empower, and Inspire Future Changemakers
Anyone, regardless of age or experience, can make a difference. And together, we can create long-lasting change in our community.
Since 2016, the Make Your Mark program has helped teachers at 140+ schools across the Alberta Capital Region educate students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 about social issues, the opportunities in community, and how students can become changemakers.
Receive Grant Funding of up to $1,000
Get funding of up to $1,000 per Make Your Mark project from United Way to carry out student-led initiatives aimed at creating a resilient, connected, thriving community where no one is left behind.
Access Program Resources & Support to Ensure Your Success
Instantly access Make Your Mark resources to support the success of you and your students in creating classroom projects, through virtual program information sessions, online curriculum and age-appropriate resources, digital workbooks, and support from United Way staff.
Provide Hands-On Opportunities for Your Students
Guide your students as they lead their own Make Your Mark projects and learn about some of the social issues people face, how to use their unique talents to help others, and the importance of working together to make a difference.
Connected to the Alberta Curriculum of Study
Strengthen learning in your classroom around empathy, equity, community-building, project planning and management, and leadership.
Why Sign Up?
- Empathy Boost: When kids dive into community-building early on, they become the changemakers of the future.
- Inclusive Classrooms: Make Your Mark promotes equity and respect, helping every student in the classroom feel valued.
- Spark Creativity: Students get to flex their imaginative muscles thinking of ways to help neighbours in need.
- Teamwork Skills: Through their community project, students learn cooperation, communication, and problem-solving — essential life skills!
- Literacy & Research: Students get a chance to practice literacy and research skills as they explore local social issues.
- Real-Life Math: Budgeting and math skills? Check! Students get to apply those in real-world scenarios.
- Project Management: From planning to execution, kids learn about time management, adaptability, critical thinking, and more!
- Leadership Nurtured: Make Your Mark helps kids learn how to take charge and tackle real-life challenges.
- Feel-Good Factor: Giving back inspires more than warm fuzzies — it boosts self-worth, self-efficacy, and self-confidence.
What Teachers are Saying
“The number one leadership quality learned throughout this project is that of empathy. We had guests [from the community] who really opened their hearts and shared with the students their story, their struggles. This helped the students take down any barriers that existed and helped them develop a true understanding… The conversations were amazing, and the students really developed a greater understanding of how taking the time to better get to know someone can completely change their views. Beautiful!”
“We are united because of this project! Bringing all these students together was eventful and created many memories.
The students, staff, families, and everyone involved in this project will carry on the many lessons learned forever!”
“It has been such a pleasure working with United Way over the years. The opportunities for our students to come up with sustainable projects that impact so many others has been a highlight of my last five years of teaching. It is so amazing to see the growth of our students during this process and the lasting impact on the students and schools that receive these projects. “
How the Program Works
1 | Sign Up
Register your class to participate in Make Your Mark before the registration deadline on September 27, 2024.
2 | Attend a Virtual Information Session
Learn about the program, hear from past-participating teachers on their experiences, ask questions, and explore current areas of need in our community.
3 | Develop Your Project
Help your students develop, refine, and plan their Make Your Mark projects with United Way’s resources and support. October – November 2024
4 | Apply for a Grant
Submit your project plan and budget to United Way by the deadline. Successful applicants will receive grants of up to $1,000 to launch their projects. Application deadline: November 6, 2024
5 | Launch Your Project
Use your grant funding to bring your students’ project to life! Measure the impact and reflect on how this project made a difference in our community. Some teams may be selected to share their project on the local news! November 2024 – March 2025
6 | Celebrate!
Celebrate your students’ hard work with an event arranged by United Way! Plus, select projects will be honoured with an Award of Distinction at our Red Tie Gala on April 3, 2025. Award nomination deadline: February 21, 2025 | Final report deadline: April 14, 2025 | Student and teacher recognition: May 2025
Past Projects
Hazeldean School
Grade 4 students at Hazeldean School worked together to collect hand warmers, foot warmers, and toques to support more than 300 unhoused people during Edmonton’s winter months. “As a teacher, seeing the students come together and work collectively towards one common goal is just absolutely incredible.” - Paige Van Horne, Teacher, Hazeldean School
St. Clement School
Grade 9 students at St. Clement School decided to focus on breaking the cycle of period poverty. They researched the cost of menstrual products and created a budget with the goal to help women in shelters and raise awareness. “(Make Your Mark) definitely helped our leadership skills a lot, our confidence, and being able to speak out against injustice.” – Grade 9 students Adeel, Isabelle, and Mika
M.E. LaZerte High School
Grade 12 students at M.E. Lazerte High School hosted a Winter Carnival to create a space where families could relax and have fun during what might be a financially difficult time. “The students have the power to make the change. They want to, and they know they should.” - Michelle Sabourin, Student Leadership Supervisor, M.E. LaZerte High School
Make Your Mark in Action
2023/24 Make Your Mark Projects
High School: Austin O'Brien High School
Make Your Mark: Literacy & Numeracy Resource Kits by Blair McPherson School
Make Your Mark: Military Community Closet by Guthrie School
Join us Next School Year
Sign up to participate during the 2025-26 school year and we'll keep you in the loop about all things Make Your Mark in the meantime. Give your students the opportunity to lead their very own Make Your Mark project and do local good for their community!
Sign Up for 2025-26
Help us Grow Make Your Mark
This program would not be possible without the ongoing support of corporate sponsors committed to making an impact in our community. Interested in supporting? Get in touch today!
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