John F. Kennedy Make a Difference Award

Update for Make a Difference 2024: The Make a Difference Award is on hiatus for the 2024 school year. Please check back on this webpage for the 2025 program in January of 2025 for more information.

 

What is the Make a Difference Award?

Every year the Kennedy Library recognizes up to 100 middle school students from across Massachusetts with the John F. Kennedy Make a Difference Award for the impact they have made in their communities through service projects. 

The Award is given to students who are nominated by teachers or principals for contributions they have made on a local, state, national, or international level.

Projects for which students received awards in previous years include helping fellow students with disabilities, working at local food pantries and senior centers, organizing recycling projects, raising funds for autism and childhood cancer research, and fundraising for children in Uganda and Haiti.

Who is Eligible?

All middle school students (grades 6-8) participating in unique community service projects are eligible. School personnel should give special consideration to students who have distinguished themselves through their service work. Awards will be given to the first 100 names submitted. Previous Award winners are not eligible.