What’s really stopping you - or your organization - from going after The Yass Prize?
Welcome to the second installment of our Myth Busters series, where we cut through the assumptions and surface the realities behind the Yass Prize. If you missed our first edition, it’s worth a look.
With the June 1 deadline fast approaching, consider this your prompt to reassess the barriers - real or perceived - that may be holding you back. The examples ahead challenge conventional thinking and make a compelling case: this is not the moment to sit on the sidelines.
Myth: My organization is too small to apply for the Yass Prize.
Myth Busted: The Yass Prize celebrates and supports organizations of all sizes - some which educate under 100 students, while others are educating thousands nationwide. Jennifer Hurt’s WIN Academy at BridgeValley Community and Technical Collegewent from serving 18 students to 40 with the help of the Yass Prize. Size doesn’t determine how outstanding an organization is nor their potential - their passion, innovation, and impact do!
Myth: The number of years an organization has been around impacts its candidacy for the Yass Prize.
Myth Busted: The Yass Prize awards organizations that range in terms of years in existence, ranging from St. Mary’s Academy (2024 Finalist) at almost 160 years old to Path of Life Learning (2025 Finalist) which opened in 2022. While both organizations vary greatly in age, both have been able to optimize opportunities from the Yass Prize network. St. Mary’s Academy President Pamela Rogers received a Yass Prize Alumni Awardto scale and expand while Path of Life Learning founder Mercedes Grant was chosen to advocate to Governors and state leaders in Washington DC this past winter.
Myth: I’m not sure we’re ready to apply this year. Maybe next year would be better?
Myth Busted: There’s never a “perfect time” to apply. We have heard time and time again that the Yass Prize application pushes leaders to refine their message, craft their pitch, and demonstrate impact with concision. If chosen as an awardee of the Yass Prize, education leaders thrive through connection across sectors, states, and backgrounds - strengthening, not replacing, what they’ve built. The Yass Prize Accelerator sharpens organizational narrative and elevates impact alongside fellow education entrepreneurs. Explore 200+ awardees on our awards pagehere.
If you’re driving meaningful change in education, this is your moment to step forward. We’re eager to see the work you’re leading, and to consider it for the Yass Prize. And if someone in your network is breaking down barriers for students in transformative ways, make the introduction. Opportunities like this shouldn’t be kept to yourself.
