Donor and Partner FAQs

American Exchange Project is a two-week adventure for high school seniors that takes place in the summer after graduation. Both weeks of the program are fully funded thanks to generous donations from foundations like the Hearthland Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York, as well as hundreds of individual donors. 

During their Travel Week, students will spend time in an American community completely different from their own (think: a born-and-bred New Yorker camping in the dense forests of Oregon; a student who grew up on their family farm in Minnesota walking the National Mall in D.C.). During their Hometown Week, students will show off the best parts of their town to students from across America. 

From tangy barbecue in Texas to fresh-caught lobster in Massachusetts; eye-popping Alaskan glaciers to Kansas’s great golden plains; L.A.’s glittering coastline to Montana’s sprawling ranch country, an American Exchange Project adventure will change the way young adults see their country, their neighbors, and themselves.

American Exchange Project was launched in 2019 as an antidote to growing divisions in our country. We’ve seen these transformative and immersive experiences encourage new connections between Americans who may have never met otherwise; foster deeper empathy between neighbors; and reignite a sense of community pride (among other benefits). Our domestic exchanges cut across geographic, cultural, ideological, racial, and economic lines, offering students the opportunity to connect with peers from different backgrounds and get a firsthand look at life beyond their bubbles.

Yes, it really is 100 percent free—we believe nothing should stand in the way of a young person who wants to learn more about their country and the people who call it home. Everything that’s essential in order for a student to participate, from their plane ticket to their meals to their lodging, is covered. (We don’t cover non-essential items, like checked luggage or souvenirs.)

American Exchange Project is fully funded thanks to generous contributions from foundations like the Hearthland Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York, as well as hundreds of individual donors. Learn more about our donors and partners here. 

Yes. Critical changes, connections, and transformations are happening during both Travel Week and Hometown Week. Early survey data from an independent university study shows that American Exchange Project students:  

• Became substantially less biased towards those who view the country through a different ideological lens

• Made an average of three new friends throughout the program

• Grew more hopeful about the future of the United States

One student who traveled from Massachusetts to Alaska put it this way: “[It’s the] perfect amount of time to gain newfound perspectives, meet new people, and explore a new place without getting homesick…I felt like I was there for a month with the way I got so close to people. These exchanges truly do have an immeasurable impact on all of us, and a piece of my heart is forever in Alaska.”

Over the course of their adventure, American Exchange Project students connect with an average of 30 people from a variety of ages and backgrounds (host families, business owners, government officials, local volunteers, etc.). The program offers everyone in a community the chance to meet new people from all over America, expand their social horizons, and build lasting connections across lines of difference. 

Hundreds of national and local outlets have highlighted our mission to create a more connected America, from CBS Sunday Morning and Fox and Friends to The Los Angeles Times and The Galena Gazette. You can explore some of our media coverage here.

American Exchange Project has received generous grant support from organizations like the Hearthland Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Stand Together, the Milken Family Foundation, and others. We also have hundreds of individual donors across the United States who are passionate about giving young adults this transformative experience. Learn more about our donors and partners here.

No. Our intent is to offer students an adventure through the lens of creating a more connected America, not a particular agenda. 

• $2,500 sponsors an exchange. Your gift covers the full cost of a student’s Travel and Hometown Weeks, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience that broadens horizons and builds lasting connections

• $750 helps students take flight. Your gift sponsors the full cost of a student’s Travel Week flight, opening the door to a transformative exchange experience beyond their hometown

• $500 bridges communities. Your gift funds a large group activity—a rodeo, a local festival, a trip to the state fair—that immerses students in a community tradition, creating a meaningful shared experience

• $250 supports warm welcomes. Your gift covers host family stipends or student accommodations to ensure a hospitable and supportive stay

• $100 sponsors a connection. Your gift supports local activities like historical tours or cultural events that immerse students in their host community

• $50 fuels a day of discovery. Your gift provides a student’s meals for a day, keeping them energized to embrace transformative experiences and connections

Thank you for your generosity! Visit our donations page to learn about the various ways you can make a gift.

Head to our Donorbox page. Under the “standard donation” tab on the right, choose “monthly,” “quarterly,” or “annually” to update the frequency of your gift. Thank you for making American Exchange Project part of your giving!

Yes, in one of two ways:

• When making a gift via Donorbox, you can add a note specifying which exchange you’d like us to direct your donation toward.

• There are also crowdfunding pages for all of our exchanges. If you’re not sure who your local Exchange Manager is, you can find your city and their contact info on our interactive map. 

Absolutely—there are always opportunities to show hospitality to students during Hometown Week. Get in touch with your local Exchange Manager to learn about your Hometown Week’s specific needs and plan logistics. If you’re not sure who your local Exchange Manager is, you can find your city and their info on our interactive map.

Looking for inspiration? Here are some in-kind donations from past Hometown Weeks: 

• The use of a church van for the week (Ohio) 

• Passes to a local film festival (Kansas) 

• Merch and tickets from a minor league baseball team (Tennessee) 

• A breakfast spread from a popular bagel spot (New Jersey) 

• A no-cost museum tour (Delaware) 

• Free entry to a big-ticket 4th of July concert (Utah) 

Yes. Head to our Donorbox page. Click the “Crypto or Stock” tab on the right, then click the “Next” button and follow the instructions to make your gift. Thank you for helping American Exchange Project connect the country!

Email our team to learn more about supporting exchange opportunities and adventures. If you’re ready to make a gift now, donate here. 

Email our team if you’re interested in organizing an event or a fundraiser benefitting American Exchange Project. 

Email our team if you’re interested in adding American Exchange Project to your planned giving.