Bill Gurley · Micro-Grants for Dream Chasers
Runnin' Down
a Dream
Life is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition.
Shouldn't you spend it doing something you love?
Step off the conveyor belt.
Bill Gurley · Micro-Grants for Dream Chasers
Life is a use-it-or-lose-it proposition.
Shouldn't you spend it doing something you love?
Step off the conveyor belt.
Why We Exist
The people who build extraordinary careers love the work so much they'd do it for free. But getting there sometimes requires more than passion — it often requires a financial bridge. This foundation exists to help build that bridge.
From the speech
"The most successful people I know work incredibly hard. But they don't look like they're working — they look like they're playing. Because for them, there is no difference."
— Bill Gurley, UT McCombs School of Business, 2018
Watch the SpeechWho We're Looking For
We're not looking for the most polished application. We're looking for people who are already doing the work — with or without the money.
Not a prerequisite, but a strong signal. If the book described your life back to you, that's exactly who this is for.
Grants go to people who are showing up — not waiting for permission. What are you building or pursuing right now?
What does $5,000 actually unlock for you? The clearer your answer, the stronger your application.
Grant recipients become part of something bigger — a network of dreamers who are running toward something real.
How It Works
If you demonstrate meaningful progress after a set period, you're eligible for a second grant. Because sometimes momentum compounds.
Past recipients become part of something bigger — contributing support and guidance to new applicants.
Alongside the grant comes real mentorship — people who've been where you are, willing to help you move forward.
Those who succeed eventually give back, keeping the cycle alive for future dreamers. What begins as a gift becomes a movement.
Step One — Assessment
There are no right answers. We read for honesty, specificity, and the unmistakable sign that you've already started. Strong responses receive an invitation to apply for a $5,000 grant.
Tell us what you're chasing — and what the practice looks like on an ordinary Tuesday.
Show us you're showing up — unpaid and unasked. This is the question that matters most.
Be specific. The clearer your answer, the stronger your application.
5 questions · takes about 10 minutes · we read every response
The Book Behind the Foundation
Based on a talk at the McCombs School at the University of Texas, Runnin' Down a Dream captures the insight that has shaped careers and companies: the people who succeed most tend to love what they do so much that they'd do it for free.
This foundation exists to give that thesis a runway — for the people who've found their dream but haven't yet found their break.
Get the Book →