Ignite the Red Cross is a month-long youth innovation challenge held during National Youth Involvement Month (NYIM). Red Cross volunteers ages 13–24 are invited to work in teams to develop a creative, practical solution to an organizational challenge within the Red Cross.   Teams will submit a 1-page written proposal during the first round of the competition. Selected finalists will advance to a live pitch at the NYIM Finale on November 30 at 8 p.m. ET, where they will present their ideas to a panel of judges and fellow youth volunteers. The winning team will receive national recognition by the National Youth Council and support to explore the potential implementation of their solution. 

Motion: Recruiting the Next Generation of Red Cross Volunteers

Every day, American Red Cross volunteers provide support to individuals and families impacted by disasters and help ensure lifesaving blood products reach hospitals and patients in need. These mission-critical services depend on dedicated volunteers yet recruiting for Disaster Action Team (DAT) and Blood Transportation Specialist (BTS) positions remains an ongoing challenge.  

Disaster Action Team (DAT)

Disaster Action Team volunteers are often among the first Red Cross volunteers to respond when individuals, families, or multiple families experience a home fire or other local disaster. They provide emotional support, emergency assistance, and recovery resources during some of the most challenging moments in a person's life. 

*As of September 24, 2026, we have a need for 4,459 Disaster Action Team Specialists throughout the country. It is a Focus Position for 45 out of 47 Red Cross Regions. 

Blood Transportation Specialist (BTS)

Blood Transportation Specialists play a critical role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered safely and efficiently to hospitals, blood centers, and other locations where they are needed. Their efforts help connect blood donors to patients and support the nation's blood supply.

*As of September 24, 2026, we have a need for 1,670 Blood Transportation Specialists. This position is only available in certain locations. 

The Recruitment Challenge

While both roles are essential to delivering the Red Cross mission, they can also be difficult to recruit for. Success in these positions often requires specific interests, skills, availability, and a commitment to service. Effective recruitment depends not just on reaching more people, but on reaching the right people with recruitment strategies, tactics, and messaging that help them understand the impact of these roles and see themselves as a good fit for the opportunity. 

This year, we're challenging you to help solve this recruitment challenge. 

CHALLENGE PROMPT: How might we design a recruitment campaign to identify, engage, and inspire the people most likely to succeed as Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers or Blood Transportation Specialists (BTS)?

Current volunteer recruitment materials for these positions can be found here. 

We're looking for campaigns that are creative, practical, targeted, and measurable. Your campaign should:

• Reach the right audience: Consider who is most likely to succeed in a Disaster Action Team (DAT) or Blood Transportation Specialist (BTS) role and how to effectively reach and recruit them.
• Use compelling messaging: Communicate the purpose, impact, and rewards of serving in these mission-critical volunteer positions while addressing potential barriers or misconceptions.
• Be realistic to implement: The campaign should leverage existing Red Cross recruitment resources, communication channels, volunteer networks, community partnerships, and outreach tools without requiring new funding, staffing, or technology.
• Be adaptable: The campaign should be flexible enough for chapters and regions across the country to use and customize.
• Include a clear call to action: Potential volunteers should understand what step to take next to learn more or apply.
• Have measurable impact: There should be a way to evaluate success, such as new leads generated, applications, referrals, approvals, or retention.
• Follow applicable Red Cross brand: Communications, and outreach guidelines. 

Keep your solution within the Red Cross's ability to act. Avoid proposals that depend on:

• Major/Large advertising budgets
• Building new apps, websites, or software platforms
• Significant new staffing resources
• Changes to Red Cross Volunteer Recruitment Framework Doctrine and Red Cross Branding Guidelines, systems, or volunteer role requirements 

• Ignite the Red Cross is open to Red Cross volunteers ages 13–24. 
• Participants will compete in teams of 3-4 people.
• Participants may:
  • Register as a team
  • Sign up individually
• Solo registrants will be matched with other participants based on factors such as time zone and division. 

Participant registration opens on October 19 and closes on November 4 at 11:59PM ET. Participants should complete the official Ignite the Red Cross Sign-Up Form (Registration Form) to register for the challenge.

Round 1: Written Proposal (Nov 1 – Nov 20)

Teams will submit a one-page proposal presenting their recruitment campaign concept. Proposals should be clear, specific, creative, and realistic and should address the following:

1. Volunteer Role Which role is your campaign designed to recruit for: Disaster Action Team (DAT) or Blood Transportation Specialist (BTS)?
2. Target Audience Who are you trying to recruit and why? Why is this audience likely to be successful in the role?
3. Campaign Concept What is the overall theme, message, slogan, or strategy behind your campaign?
4. Recruitment Strategy What tactics will you use to reach and recruit your target audience? Examples may include but are not limited to social media, email campaigns, community events, volunteer referrals, presentations, partnerships with schools or community organizations, earned media, digital content, volunteer testimonials, or other outreach methods.
5. Call to Action What action do you want your target audience to take because of your campaign?
6. Success Measures How would you determine whether your campaign is successful?

Format: Maximum 1 page, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-line spacing, and 1-inch margins. Proposals must be submitted as a PDF via the Submission Form by November 20 at 11:59PM ET. A panel of National Youth Council members and advisors will review eligible proposals and select finalists.

Round 2: Live Pitch (Nov 30)

Finalist teams will present their campaigns live during the NYIM Finale.

• Teams will pitch their recruitment campaign to a judging panel and explain what position they chose, their target audience, recruitment strategy and tactics, and expected impact.
• Finalists may showcase sample outreach materials, presentations, messaging, graphics, event concepts, referral programs, digital content, slogans, or other creative elements that help bring their campaign to life.
• NYIM attendees will select a People's Choice Award recipient through popular vote. 

• October 19 – Participant registration opens (Website & Social Media)
• November 1 – 2026 Ignite the Red Cross Challenge Prompt launches (Website & Social Media)
• November 4 – NYIM Kickoff Call at 8:00PM ET & participant registration closes at 11:59PM ET 
• November 6 – Teams finalized and notified by 11:59PM ET
• November 20 – Round 1 proposals due by 11:59PM ET
• November 21–25 – Round 1 judging window
• November 26 – Finalists notifiedNovember 30 – Finalist pitches at the NYIM Finale at 8:00 p.m. ET
• December 1 – First-place winner announced (Website & Social Media) 

• Finalists – Finalist teams will receive an electronic certificate and recognition through Red Cross youth communications and social media.
• First Place – The winning team will receive:
  • Certificates
  • Red Cross Merch
  • Recognition through Red Cross YouthWire and Instagram
  • National Youth Council support to potentially explore piloting the solution
• People's Choice – NYIM Finale call attendees will select a People’s Choice Award recipient, who will receive an electronic certificate and recognition through Red Cross youth communications. 

All resource materials are found in One Source. Click “One Source” under your profile picture from your Volunteer Connection homepage. Most of the recruitment for these positions can be found here:

• Volunteer Recruitment Materials
• Marketing and Communications Guidelines 

• Think critically and creatively.
• Do your research on the roles and existing challenges.
• Use the available resources.
• Be specific with your responses.
• Think about this problem from all angles before determining your plan of action. 

If you have questions about Ignite the Red Cross or National Youth Involvement Month, contact: youthinvolvement@redcross.org