Building on nearly $40,000 in scholarships awarded last year, Darkness to Light opens its third award cycle to expand access to prevention education.
Protecting children takes adults who know what to look for, when to intervene, and how to respond. Darkness to Light is investing in the leaders who bring that knowledge to their communities through the 2026 Stewards of Children® Advocacy Awards, with applications now open through October 30.
As a leader in child sexual abuse prevention, Darkness to Light equips adults and organizations to translate awareness into protective action. The annual scholarship program advances that work by expanding access to its flagship Stewards of Children® training, Authorized Facilitator certification, and training resources.
Now in its third year, the program has grown from $6,000 in scholarships awarded to seven organizations in 2024 to nearly $40,000 awarded to 22 organizations across 16 states in 2025—an investment in community leaders bringing prevention education into the places where children learn, play, worship, and grow.
“Every day, advocates across the country are creating safer environments for kids, but too often, resources limit their reach,” said Rhonda Newton, CEO of Darkness to Light. “These scholarships remove barriers and empower prevention leaders to expand their impact where it’s needed most.”
The awards are supported by Darkness to Light’s Advocacy Collaborative, a group of partners, donors, and prevention advocates committed to strengthening community-based prevention. Together, they help make training and resources more accessible to organizations and independent Facilitators with a clear plan to advance child safety.
Scholarships may support Authorized Facilitator certification, Stewards of Children® training, and training materials or seats, helping recipients prepare more adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
Darkness to Light encourages applications from child advocacy centers, schools, youth-serving organizations, faith-based communities, nonprofits, and independent Facilitators ready to expand prevention education and strengthen child protection in their communities.
Applications close October 30, 2026. Learn more and apply at www.D2L.org/Advocacy-Collab.
Ready to strengthen prevention in your community?
Apply today and take the next step toward bringing training to more adults and creating safer spaces for children.
