Live Your Dream
Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards
Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women assist women who provide the primary financial support for their families. Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Providing access to education is the most effective path to self-determination.
Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards are a terrific way to make a BIG difference in the lives of women—and their families. Although the awards address an economic need and make a difference in a practical way, we know they also affect women in a personal way. Women who have received the award report an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem, and pride for being recognized for having the courage to change their lives.
Every year, Soroptimist distributes more than $2.8 million in education grants to women all over the world.
The Raleigh Club grants up to $2,000 to each local award recipient. One of these awardees is submitted for consideration for a Soroptimist Central East Coast Region award (up to $5,000). Region recipients are then considered for one of three $10,000 awards from Soroptimist International of the Americas.
How To Apply
The Live Your Dream Awards application cycle is open August 1 – November 15 each year. To learn more about the program and apply, click the button below.
Real Stories
Here are a few stories of some recipients of the Live Your Dream Awards.
Ashyna – 2026 Live Your Dream Awardee
Ashyna is a devoted mother to her 10-year-old daughter and has turned serious health challenges into a renewed sense of purpose. After experiencing a life-threatening illness that required hospitalization and life-saving medication, Ashyna moved in with her mother and...
Alexis – 2026 Live Your Dream Awardee
Alexis is a certified nursing assistant with nearly two decades of healthcare experience and many years as a devoted mother and grandmother. She plans to begin the LPN program at Alamance Community College in Spring 2026 and complete it by December 2026. After earning...
Jennifer G. – 2026 Live Your Dream Awardee
Jennifer is currently completing prerequisite courses for admission to the nursing program at Alamance Community College. She is raising two sons, and works 40 hours a week as a school health technician and Spanish interpreter. She has wanted to become a nurse since...