Scholarships

    scholarship

    NPG's 2026 Scholarship Contests Available Here

     

    Each year, NPG offers a variety of Scholarship Contests for students across the country.  Contestants are invited to answer a population-related challenge, with their own experience and insight guiding their ideas for a solution.  Contests are open to high school seniors, currently-enrolled college undergraduates and in 2023 we added a new contest for graduate students.  Winners will receive a designated scholarship amount, paid towards undergraduate tuition at the accredited college or university they attend.

    Thanks to the generous support of NPG members and various foundations, we are able to provide this annual program to support the education of America's next generation of leaders.  As we continue our mission to inform U.S. citizens and legislators regarding the damaging consequences of population growth, it is vital that we engage our nation's youngest citizens.  It is their future quality of life which is at stake!

    Be sure to check back for the details each year on our Scholarship Contest, which should be posted at the beginning of each year!

    NPG is pleased to offer these challenging events as part of our mission to enlist a new generation of activists, who will be focused on reversing the dangers of population growth.  We regularly receive positive feedback from students entering our scholarship contests.  NPG recently received some messages from participating students:

    I wanted to thank you so much for the scholarship award! I truly appreciate it and am quite excited! I enjoyed learning more about NPG and its mission as well as writing about the effects of population growth on my own world.
    Amanda Jorjorian-Furcho
    NPG’s 2023 Essay Scholarship Contest

    Thank you for this scholarship opportunity. Without this scholarship I would not be able to fully focus on my studies. I plan to use this scholarship to complete my bachelors degree in biochemistry, which I will use to become a physician-scientist.
    Domnica Reutov
    NPG’s 2023 Essay Scholarship Contest

    Thank you so much.  I thoroughly enjoyed the contest and writing the essay. The research I did opened my eyes to the issues NPG seeks to tackle, and I will continue learning and thinking about them. Thank you again for your generous gift in support of my education, I promise to pay it forward someday.
    Aaron Chan
    NPG’s 2022 Essay Scholarship Contest

    Thank you so much for your generous contribution to my education! I am honored and truly grateful to have been selected to receive the Donald W. Mann Memorial Scholarship for Population Studies scholarship. I wish you and NPG the best in all of your incredible efforts to educate citizens and improve the quality of living in the United States.
    Harrison Hall
    NPG's 2021 Essay Scholarship Contest

    NPG sends our thanks to all of our members and friends who have so generously contributed – as well as our appreciation for the tens of thousands of students who have competed in our contests.  It is your support and participation that help make this critical program possible!

    Winners of the 2025 Written Advertisement Scholarship Contests

    Click on each name to view the text of the winning essay.

    2025 Graduate Students Written Advertisement Scholarship

    Click here to read the topic.

    AwardWinner NameSchool

    $5,000 - The Donald W. Mann Memorial Scholarship for Population Studies

    Duc Thinh Nguyen

    Cornell University
    $3,000 Christina Maria Louka Columbia Business School
    $2,000 Trisha Badjatia Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
    $2,000 LynnLee Bolin Columbus State University
    $2,000 Kenneth Caraballo George Washington University
    $2,000 Ian Kleinfeld Wake Forest University School of Professional Services Charlotte
    $2,000 Tyler Kleinsasser South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
    $2,000 Aleisha Murdock University of Baltimore
    $2,000 Solmi Park Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
    $2,000 Marcus Pugh Walden University

    2025 High School Seniors & Undergraduate Students Written Advertisement Scholarship

    Click here to read the topic.

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $3,500 - The Edwin S. Rubenstein NPG Memorial Scholarship

    Samay Shah

    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    $2,500
    Parshv Manishkumar Patel
    University of California, Berkeley
    $2,000
    McKenzie Hively
    Northeast Texas Community College
    $2,000
    Noah Johansson
    University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    $2,000
    Liana Montes
    Palm Beach State College
    $2,000
    Bibi Shahdokht Sahak
    Renton Technical College
    $2,000
    Addison Claire Secor
    The University of South Carolina
    $2,000
    Justin Tam
    New York University
    $2,000
    Ari Warren
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    $2,000
    Katlynn Williams
    Florida Southern College
    $2,000
    Lauren Wilmoth
    University of Virginia

    Click here for previous years' Essay Scholarship winners

    Winners of the 2020 Handmade Poster Scholarship

    Click on each name to view the text of the winning essay.  Click here to read the topic for the 2020 Handmade Poster Contest.

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $3,000 - Grand Prize

    LeeAnn Skinner

    Washburn University

    $2,000 - 2nd Place

    Sophia Nelson

    Illinois Institute of Technology

    $1,000
    Quanjie Dai
    University of Texas at Austin
    $1,000
    Isabella Delisi
    Michigan State University
    $1,000
    Cecilia Engelhardt
    Columbus College of Art and Design
    $1,000
    Naomi Ghan
    University of Central Florida
    $1,000
    Thea Huffman
    Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
    $1,000
    Cruz Ibarra, Jr
    Valparaiso University 
    $1,000
    Skylar La Belle
    Columbus College of Art and Design Student
    $1,000
    Sherry Lin
    University of California: Davis
    $1,000
    Kailee Stover
    University of Florida 
    $1,000
    Erin Turban
    University of Connecticut

    Click here for previous years' Poster Scholarship winners

    Winners of the 2020 Digital Poster Scholarship

    Click on each name to view the text of the winning essay.  Click here to read the topic for the 2020 Digital Poster Contest.

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $3,000 - Grand Prize

    Abigail Feagans

    University of Georgia

    $2,000 - 2nd Place

    Emma Riedel

    Virginia Commonwealth University
    $1,000
    Mojisola Akinwande
    University of Maryland
    $1,000
    Kristen Bonshock
    Millersville University
    $1,000
    Celine Dupré
    Savannah College of Art and Design
    $1,000
    Melina Goodwin
    California State University
    $1,000
    Zion Guerrero
    Guam Community College 
    $1,000
    Andrea Hoagland
    Mount Vernon Nazarene University
    $1,000
    Anna Lin
    Cornell University
    $1,000
    Brittney Myint
    University of California
    $1,000
    Rylie Schoch
    Kent State University
    $1,000
    Ashley Whyte
    University of Central Florida

    Click here for previous years' Poster Scholarship winners

    Winner of the 2019 Savings Bond Scholarship Contest 

    Click the name to view the text of the winning essay.  Click here to read the topic for the 2019 Savings Bond Contest.

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $500 U.S. Savings Bond

    Gavin Law

    Ruth Doyle Middle School
    Conway, AR

    Winners of the 2017 Photo Scholarship Contest

    Click on each name to view the text of the winning ad.  Click here to read the topic for the 2017 Photo Contest.

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $1,500 - First Place

    Mikayla Seaman

    University of Colorado at Boulder
    Boulder, CO

    $1,000 - Runner Up

    Jacob Pettis

    California State Polytechnic University
    Pomona, CA
    $500 - NPG's Robert H. Savage
    Memorial Scholarship
    Lucas Ensign
    University of Minnesota Twin Cities
    Minneapolis, MN

    Click here for previous years' Photo Scholarship winners

    Winners of the 2012 Video Scholarship Contest

    Award
    Winner Name
    School

    $2,500

    Jackson Kitchell

    DeSales University
    Center Valley, PA
    $1,000
    Carly DaSilva
    The College Of New Jersey
    Ewing, NJ
    $1,000
    Katy Martin
    University of Wisconsin
    Milwaukee, WI
    $1,000
    Ryan McCluney
    University of North Carolina
    Wilmington, NC
    $1,000
    Forrest Anderson Mares
    Northwestern College
    St. Paul, MN
    $1,000
    Anna Winslow
    Cornell University
    Ithaca, NY
    Privacy Policy / Donor Privacy Policy / Contact Us

    $5,000
    Duc Thinh Nguyen
    Cornell University

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    Growth is no longer the American dream. It’s the American denial.

    We keep expanding. But nothing keeps up. Not the schools, not the hospitals, not the water, not the earth. We build, but we don’t catch up. We push forward, but we fray at the edges. Still, we call it progress.

    Every year, millions more are added to a nation already exceeding its capacity — not just of land, but of infrastructure, of patience, of meaning. We confuse acceleration with success. Density with vitality. Collapse with motion.

    Overpopulation isn’t an abstract. It’s the math behind the shortages. The silence behind every system is too broken to respond. It’s why you wait, why your rent rises, why life feels quietly competitive even when you’re standing still.

    The most dangerous part? We’ve normalized it. We’ve accepted erosion as economy.

    We don’t need more. We need margins for dignity, for rest, for systems that can breathe. Support programs that slow, stabilize, and reverse U.S. population growth — not out of fear, but in defense of a future that still works.

    If the American dream can no longer grow, then it must learn to hold.

    Otherwise, it will collapse under the story we refused to rewrite.

     

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    The New York Times is an ideal platform for this advertisement because of its longstanding commitment to publishing literary, provocative essays that challenge dominant cultural narratives. With a readership that is intellectually rigorous, policy-conscious, and willing to engage deeply with systems-level critique, the magazine offers the perfect space for a piece that dismantles the myth of perpetual growth while elevating the moral urgency of population stabilization.

    The New Yorker is also uniquely suited to host this advertisement given its tradition of high-impact, long-form journalism on environmental, infrastructural, and societal fragility. Its audience expects layered arguments delivered with stylistic precision — exactly the tone and ambition this ad embodies. With writers like Elizabeth Kolbert leading conversations on ecological limits and human systems under stress, The New Yorker is already fluent in the language this advertisement speaks.

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    $3,000
    Christina Maria Louka
    Columbia Business School

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    Want to Live Longer, Healthier, Happier—and Richer? Support Programs to Reverse U.S. Population Growth. It may sound daunting, but its effects WILL make your life better.

    Over the last decade, our population has increased by 8.5%. In that time, irreversible damage has been done to our environment — depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, and worsening air pollution. This means more disease and shorter lifespans. A sharp rise in extreme weather events — wildfires, hurricanes, and heat waves — has killed more Americans than ever before. By 2300, scientists predict Earth will be unsustainable for humans.

    As for everyday living? Well, last year, states with the highest population growth also faced the biggest housing crises. With that came rising prices for renters and homeowners, labor shortages, and a widening wealth gap. Expect plenty more of that if we don’t act.

    What does this all mean for you? From the air you breathe to the cost of living, overpopulation is lowering your quality of life. By supporting programs to slow, halt, and reverse population growth, you’re creating a better future for you and your kids.

    A future with less congestion, more affordable living, and a thriving planet — it’s possible. Join us.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    1. The Cut

    The Cut would be a great place for this advertisement, seeing as they target educated women under 40, a key demographic for addressing population growth. They are known for their cultural commentary and social and political activism — meaning their audience will likely be intrigued by discussions on the effects of overpopulation. This ad will spark interest in women of childbearing age and encourage further research on how population growth could impact their lives.

    1. VICE

    VICE is also an excellent place for this ad, because they target audiences aged 18-34, with a slight male skew. VICE’s readers enjoy immersing themselves in traditionally unconventional topics, making them the perfect audience for this campaign. This ad would resonate with their audience and really get them to start thinking about what world they want to inherit.

     

     

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    $2,000
    Trisha Badjatia
    Dartmouth

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    Tired of Traffic? You’re Not Alone.
    But the problem runs deeper than your morning commute.

    From packed highways and long lines, to rising rent and vanishing green spaces, our lives are being shaped by one thing we rarely talk about: unsustainable population growth.

    The U.S. population is growing by nearly 3 people every minute – more than 4,300 a day. This rapid increase is straining every aspect of American life. Affordable housing is harder to find. Many water supplies are running dry. Infrastructure is crumbling. If the entire world consumed like the average American, we’d need the resources of 5 Earths to keep up.

    So what can we do?
    Support programs that slow, halt, and eventually reverse population growth – through voluntary family planning, comprehensive sex education, and environmentally responsible urban planning.

    Let’s protect what we love about our communities before it’s too late.
    Let’s choose sustainability, for ourselves and for future generations.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    The New York Times – Opinion or Climate Section
    With its influential reach and coverage of infrastructure, housing, and environmental policy, The New York Times can spark public discourse on the consequences of U.S. population growth. Its readers often engage with societal issues and are open to policy-based solutions to complex social and environmental problems.

    The Washington Post
    The Washington Post regularly covers policy, infrastructure, environmental issues, and urban planning. Its readers vary broadly including legislators, people in academia, and concerned U.S. residents who are likely to be receptive to conversations about sustainable population policies and their long-term societal impact.

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    $2,000
    LynnLee Bolin
    Columbus State University

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    America at a Crossroads: The Untold Story Behind Over-Population

    Our country is expanding — but at what price?

    The population of the United States has grown to over 335 million people and is still on the rise. The strain on our environment, natural resources, and infrastructure grows year after year. Forests shrink. Traffic worsens. Schools overflow. Water supplies dwindle. The American Dream grows more elusive.

    Uncontrolled population growth is not just a statistic; it is an assault on our quality of life, economy, and planet. We need to act now — in support of sound, humane programs that will slow this trend and will eventually reverse it.

    By investing heavily in family planning, education and responsible immigration reform, we can create a future in which every American has space to breathe, thrive and prosper.

    Smaller can be smarter. Support population stabilization—for a better, greener, and more sustainable America.

    Learn more. Get involved. Be part of the solution.

     

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    1. The Atlantic: The Atlantic has long covered stories about politics, culture, sustainability, and public policy. Its audience is educated, socially-aware and invested in national challenges — making it an optimal place to provoke some meaningful consideration of U.S. population growth and its future ramifications.
    2. The New York Times (Opinion Department): Given its broad, diverse readership, The New York Times offers a robust platform with which to highlight our most daunting social challenges. Its opinion section often includes advocacy on environmental, economic and demographic issues that naturally aligns with the responsible population stabilization themes.
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    $2,000
    Kenneth Caraballo
    George Washington University

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    We hear a lot about sustainability, but we don’t tend to ask the tougher question: what, precisely, are we sustaining? The U.S. adds tens of millions of people every decade. Along with them, more emissions, more sprawl, more strain on natural resources and public infrastructure. Slowing population growth has nothing to do with shutting doors. It’s about stopping the foundation from cracking beneath us. When our schools are overcrowded, our streets are crumbling, and our parks are vanishing — we must be truthful about what is driving the need.

    Population stabilization is a type of care — for the earth, for our communities, and for our children. It begins with expanding access to education and family planning, and reframing immigration and development from an ecological long-term vision. A smaller, well-balanced population isn’t something we lose — it’s a gain in quality of life, environmental health, and economic resilience. We must begin to stop accepting growth as a given and begin accepting sustainability as a choice.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    The Atlantic – This magazine publishes thoughtful, intellectual pieces on public policy and sustainability. It would promote greater awareness of population issues among civic-engaged citizens.

    National Geographic – As the leader in environmental storytelling and commitment to ecological education, this publication is read by a globally conscious audience interested in safeguarding the future of the planet.

     

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    $2,000
    Ian Kleinfeld
    Wake Forest University School of Professional Services

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    So many people.
    So many.
    So many poor.
    So many desperate.
    So many homeless.
    So many jobless.
    So many fearful.

    So many more people are coming.
    So, are you ready?

    So many that we aren’t going to be able to maintain America’s lifestyles.
    So many that we will permanently damage our environment for generations, at best.
    So many that we will decimate our rich natural resources.
    So many that food, energy, fuel prices, and many more, will skyrocket.
    So much more than you would ever believe.

    So: do something.

    So many ways to be a part of the solution.
    So many resources that just one person uses.
    So, keep families small, 1-2 children at most.
    So you’ll save the future.

    So, learn the facts about overpopulation.
    At www.NPG.org

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    Medium is an online community of writers of everything from JavaScript, to politics, fashion, and more. It has traffic of nearly 200 million pages a month. Medium speaks to a diverse, technologically savvy audience, many of whom are writers on the platform themselves. According to Medium, content that translates into a seven-minute read attracts the most attention from the internet audience. And that gives many opportunities to present our ads to readers in different visual formats to get their attention.

    There are multiple other magazines (and sites) that attract people of child birthing years (millennials, for example) such as Cosmopolitan, GQ, People, Us Weekly, Men’s Health, and Vogue. Each of these have compelling reasons to use as advertising mediums for population awareness. Their audiences are segmented, specific, and savvy. What these outlets all have in common is that their millennial readers turn to these magazines for entertainment, culture, and life advice. As such, they would be excellent places to spread our message of population reduction.

     

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    $2,000
    Tyler Kleinsasser
    South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: WHY POPULATION GROWTH MATTERS

    The United States is expanding – but can our infrastructure keep up? With a population over

    340 million and climbing, our roads, bridges, water systems, and energy grids are under unprecedented strain. Engineers and construction professionals are already battling aging infrastructure, but rapid population growth threatens to outpace every solution we design.

    More people mean higher demand for resources, more pollution, and greater environmental degradation – challenges that affect not only our industries but the future livability of our cities. Overcrowded roads, water shortages, increased energy consumption, and waste mismanagement are all symptoms of a system stretched beyond capacity.

    The solution? Smart population policies that slow, stabilize, and eventually reduce U.S. growth to sustainable levels. By advocating for responsible family planning, balanced immigration policies, and infrastructure-conscious urban planning, we can build a future where engineering innovation meets sustainability – without endless expansion.

    Support policies that prioritize sustainability over unchecked growth. Invest in a future where infrastructure works for us – not against us. Join the movement for a sustainable U.S. population today.

    Learn more at www.NPG.org

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    Civil Engineering Magazine (Published by ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers)

    This publication is widely read by civil and environmental engineers, urban planners, and infrastructure professionals. Since our advertisement focuses on population growth’s impact on infrastructure and sustainability, it directly addresses challenges that civil engineers face in designing and maintaining the built environment.

    Environmental Science & Technology Journal (Published by the American Chemical Society)

    This journal covers environmental impact studies, resource management, and sustainability practices – making it an excellent fit for our message. Engineers and scientists working in water quality, air pollution, and sustainable construction would resonate with the resource depletion and environmental degradation aspects o

     

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    $2,000
    Aleisha Murdock
    University of Baltimore

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    The Crowd Thickens: Are We Living Like Sardines?

    It’s getting harder to breathe! Not just metaphorically, but literally. The U.S. population has surpassed 334 million, and the ripple effects are all around us: jam-packed cities, traffic gridlock, shrinking green spaces, strained water supplies, and an economy buckling under pressure.

    We weren’t meant to live like sardines, shoulder-to-shoulder in an overburdened system. Overpopulation is not a distant threat. It’s here, now, and growing.

    But it’s not too late.
    Support programs aimed at slowing, halting, and eventually reversing population growth.

    Through access to comprehensive family planning, education, and sustainable immigration policy, we can protect our planet AND our peace of mind.

    Less crowding means cleaner air, more resources, and a better quality of life for everyone.
    Speak up before space runs out. Let’s preserve the balance before it bursts at the seams.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    1. National Geographic Magazine – With Nat Geo’s broad readership and strong focus on environmental issues, this publication is ideal for raising awareness about population growth and its global consequences.
    2. The Atlantic – Known for thoughtful long-form journalism and readership interested in public policy, culture, and sustainability, The Atlantic would give this message the visibility and critical thought it deserves.
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    $2,000
    Solmi Park
    Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    EXCLUSIVE OFFER!

    Be born today and receive a lifetime of overcrowding, economic struggle, and environmental collapse! Not only that, enjoy endless competition for jobs and resources, natural disasters galore, and constant existential dread!

    Sound like a dystopian novel? Well, unfortunately, this is our reality.

    As the U.S. population nears 350 million, our infrastructure is crumbling, wages stagnate, and housing options are depleting. More and more Americans are pushed down to poverty, while the wealthy become wealthier — watching as forests are destroyed, lakes are filled, and climate disasters escalate.

    So what can we even do? (And no, the answer doesn’t involve anyone dying.) We can:

    • Empower women through education and healthcare access, and give them control of their own bodies.
    • Support marginalized and economically underdeveloped communities with better education, jobs, and resources.
    • Aim to control rates of immigration to the U.S. by addressing root causes abroad.

    Overpopulation isn’t just a problem for later; it’s happening now. If we work together, we can slow, stop, and reverse unsustainable population growth, improving the quality of life for all. So join us now in advocating for solutions that put the people and the planet first — our future depends on it.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    One suitable publication for this advertisement is The Guardian US, a widely recognized news outlet. Offering both online and print journals for a broader reach, The Guardian has a more progressive, educated readership, which may be more receptive to advertising on this topic. In addition, it has sections dedicated to the climate crisis and frequently covers issues relating to social reform and justice, making it an ideal platform for this message.

    Another great choice would be Grist, a more niche yet well-respected media organization focused mostly on environmental issues. While it primarily publishes online, its readers are likely to be highly interested in sustainability, social justice, and climate change, in line with the advertisement’s topic. Furthermore, Grist not only highlights the existing global challenges but also explores their potential solutions, which aligns with the advertisement’s call to action.

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    $2,000
    Marcus Pugh
    Walden University

    PART 1 ADVERTISEMENT:

    Title: “America, It’s Time to Talk About Growth — Before It’s Too Late”

    As a father, a veteran, and someone who deeply cares about the future of this country, I’m sounding the alarm on an issue we don’t talk about enough: U.S. population growth.

    We’ve hit over 335 million people—and climbing. Our infrastructure is buckling under the weight. Roads are congested, housing is unaffordable, clean water is harder to come by, and the environment is paying the price. From worsening air quality to disappearing green spaces, overpopulation is slowly choking the very resources our children will need to survive.

    Slowing population growth isn’t about restricting freedom—it’s about securing our future. That means supporting education, reproductive health programs, sustainable development, and public awareness campaigns that promote thoughtful family planning and resource conservation.

    If we act now, we can stabilize growth, relieve economic strain, and preserve this country for future generations. But if we continue to ignore the writing on the wall, the American dream may become nothing more than a memory.

    Let’s invest in smart, sustainable solutions. Let’s protect what matters.

    Support programs to slow and reverse U.S. population growth—our children’s future depends on it.

    PART 2 SUGGESTED PUBLICATIONS:

    The Atlantic

    The Atlantic has a reputation for publishing in-depth, thought-provoking pieces on complex social issues, including climate change, economics, and public policy. Their readership is educated, engaged, and open to nuanced conversations about the future of the nation, making it an ideal platform to raise awareness about overpopulation and its consequences.

    National Geographic

    With its strong focus on the environment, global cultures, and sustainability, National Geographic reaches an audience that already cares deeply about the planet. Placing an ad here would align the message with readers who understand the interconnectedness of population growth and environmental impact.

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    $3,500
    Samay Shah
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    The numbers don’t lie. Our future is counting down.

    342 million people today, 404 million by 2060.

    With each new million, we need 400,000 new homes—yet we’re already 3.8 million short.
    With each new million, we need 140 new schools—and we’ll need 2 million new teachers by 2030 just to keep up.

    Our water systems, designed for half our current population, are already failing.
    40 out of our 50 states expect water shortages in the next decade.

    California’s reservoirs are drying up.
    National parks are overrun.
    Traffic congestion drains $108.8 billion from our economy every year.
    Food insecurity already affects 47.4 million Americans.

    The math is simple: More people = more strain on resources.

    However, there’s still hope—the equation can be balanced with smarter choices.
    Universalize family planning education. Limit immigration. Empower young women.

    Population stabilization isn’t about fewer Americans—it’s about securing a better life for ALL Americans.

    Buying reusable grocery bags or biking to work isn’t enough.
    Real change means supporting policies that address the root cause of nationwide shortages.

    Join NPG. Stand up for our nation’s future.

    Because some numbers can’t be ignored.

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    $2,500
    Parshv Manishkumar Patel
    University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

    The American Dream or an Overpopulation Nightmare? The Choice Is Yours.

    Picture this: overcrowded highways stretching for miles, once-thriving forests replaced by concrete, rivers running dry, and the sky polluted with smog. This isn’t a scene of a dystopian novel, it’s our future if we ignore the relentless rise in U.S. population growth.

    The land beneath our feet is speaking. Are we listening?

    More people mean more pressure on limited water supplies, on farmland gasping for space, on wildlife pushed to extinction, and on the planet we all share. Each year, America adds enough people to fill two cities the size of Chicago. Overpopulation fuels pollution, depletes resources, and cracks the very foundation of our infrastructure, leaving future generations to inherit a world stripped of its vitality.

    But it’s not too late. By supporting programs that promote sustainable family planning, responsible immigration policies, and educational outreach, we can slow, halt, and reverse this dangerous trend.

    The future isn’t written yet. Choose balance over blind growth. Choose a thriving planet over an overcrowded one. Support population awareness initiatives today because the American dream shouldn’t become an American nightmare.

    Act now. Protect tomorrow. Population growth isn’t just a number; it’s the root of every environmental crisis we face. Let’s solve it together.

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    $2,000
    McKenzie Hively
    Northeast Texas Community College

    America is a land of abundance but even abundance has its limits. Our population, now exceeding 330 million, continues to grow at an unsustainable rate. With each passing year, we strain our natural resources, overcrowd our cities, and burden our infrastructure. Forests are cleared, fresh water sources are depleted, and wildlife habitats vanish just to make room for more people. Schools are overcrowded, highways clogged, and housing unaffordable. This isn’t the path to prosperity, it’s a recipe for decline.

    It’s time to act. Supporting programs that slow, halt, and eventually reverse U.S. population growth isn’t about restricting opportunity, it’s about preserving it. It’s about ensuring clean air, safe communities, and economic stability for future generations. From responsible immigration reform to investments in family planning and education, we have the tools to create a sustainable future.

    Let’s protect what makes America livable. Let’s put people and the planet first. Support sensible population policies because endless growth is not the answer. Sustainable living is.

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    $2,000
    Noah Johansson
    University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    If everyone lived like Americans, we would need five Earths…

    WE ARE THE PROBLEM!

    Our exponential population growth is stretching the seams of the nation and damaging the environment. The U.S. population has nearly doubled since 1950, with a projected 400 million people by 2060. Meanwhile, we face a massive housing shortfall, nearly 200 million homes short of demand. As of 2023, over 650,000 Americans are homeless.

    We’re not just running out of space….We’re running out of everything!

    🌎 Americans emit 15% of the world’s CO₂, yet we’re just 4% of the population.

    🚱 40 out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages in the next decade.

    🏚️ Americans have bulldozed 43 million acres of rural land for ever-expanding suburbs.  (epa.gov)

    The problem is how many of us there are AND how we live. And the problem is growing.

    But we have a choice.

    Support :  Programs that slow and reverse population growth before it’s too late.

    Solutions that address population growth, equitable housing, and sustainability.

    Overpopulation isn’t a far away crisis. It’s here. It’s now. And it’s us.

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    $2,000
    Liana Montes
    Palm Beach State College

    More People, Less Planet

    Millions of people are born each year; but the earth stays the same size. Every new person means more cars on the road, more land stripped of wildlife habitats, and more pollution in our air. Lakes are drying up. Forests are vanishing. Animals are being pushed out of their homes just to make room for us.

    Uncontrolled population growth is one of the biggest causes of environmental destruction in America. Yet, it’s rarely discussed as a big problem affecting the county.

    It’s time we salvage what we have left and make sure to protect it. By supporting programs that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility, we can slow the damage and preserve the nature around us for future generations.

    Let’s create a future where our environment is cared for as much as we care for ourselves.

     

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    $2,000
    Bibi Shahdokht Sahak
    Renton Technical College

     Smaller Footprint, Brighter Future: It’s Time to Act on U.S. Population Growth

    Did you know the U.S. population grows by over 6,000 people every single day? While growth may sound positive, the reality is that unchecked population expansion is placing an enormous strain on our environment, economy, and everyday lives.

    As our numbers rise, so does pollution. Forests are shrinking. Wildlife is losing its habitat. Cities are becoming overcrowded, traffic worsens, housing prices soar, and schools and hospitals struggle to keep up. Natural resources like clean water, energy, and farmland are being used faster than they can be replenished.

     

    This isn’t just a problem for the future, it’s happening now.

    It’s time we support smart, compassionate programs designed to slow, halt, and eventually reverse this trend. Through better education about family planning, improved access to reproductive health services, and sustainable development policies, we can protect our planet and preserve the American quality of life for generations to come.

    Fewer people don’t mean fewer opportunities; it means more room to live responsibly.

    Let’s build a sustainable future together. Support population balance initiatives today.

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    $2,000
    Addison Claire Secor
    The University of South Carolina

    HUMANKIND IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME… BUT YOU CAN HELP.

    Concerned about the condition of our country? Worried the future is one of environmental damage and poverty? You should be. The United States of America is severely overpopulated – and so is the rest of the world.

    You have the power to protect and continue your threatened family legacy… by joining us in our fight to slow, halt, and reverse U.S. population growth.

    By providing couples who have 1-2 children with benefits, eliminating illegal immigration and reducing legal immigration rates, the U.S. population growth will be contained, then reversed.

    As the most influential country on the planet, what we do, others will too. America must act as a beacon in this fight to save our world from economic collapse. We are at risk of elimination if we cannot level our population out. Join our program to ensure you receive benefits for your brave dedication.

    Our country… our world… your choice.

    Be brave and support our fight to save your descendants.

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    $2,000
    Justin Tam
    New York University

    IS AMERICA RUNNING OUT OF ROOM?

    Every 20 seconds, another person is added to the U.S. population. Since 1950, the population has more than doubled and it continues to grow by millions every year. At this rate, we’re projected to reach 400 million by 2050 – adding the equivalent of another California, Texas, and Florida combined.

    Where will we put everyone?

    Unchecked population growth is overwhelming our:

    • Vanishing green space and limited water supplies
    • Crumbling infrastructure and overcrowded cities
    • Clean air and open space
    • Economic stability and national quality of life

    We’re already feeling the strain. More people mean more pollution, gridlocked roads, and fierce competition for housing, jobs, and vital resources. If we don’t act now, future generations will face a nation overcrowded, overbuilt, and out of balance. Our children deserve better.

    For over 45 years, Negative Population Growth (NPG) has championed humane, forward-thinking policies to stabilize and gradually reduce U.S. population to truly sustainable levels.

    The future depends on the choices we make today.

    Support a cleaner, less crowded, more sustainable America.

    Join NPG at www.NPG.org and help us shape a better tomorrow.

     

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    $2,000
    Ari Warren
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas 

    America is at a Crossroads

    The U.S is growing exponentially. But is it worth the cost? With 330 million people and counting our nation is facing its most critical hour: Unchecked population growth is straining our environment, depleting resources, and stretching our infrastructure to its limits.

    Environmental Impact :

    More People means higher pollution levels, deforestation and less biodiversity. Our carbon footprint grows bigger by the day, accelerating climate change and threatening our way of life and this planet we call home.

    Crippling Infrastructure and Resource Depletion

    Freshwater shortage, increasing less farmland signal an impending crisis. The more we consume, the less remains for future generations the less remains for here and now.

    The Solution?

    Smart, responsible policies that promote sustainable population levels. We must invest in:

    ✔ Family planning and reproductive health education

    ✔ Affordable access to contraception

    ✔ Sustainable immigration policies

    ✔ Public awareness campaigns on the benefits of smaller families

    Take Action Now! Contact your representatives and demand policies that protect our nation’s resources, infrastructure, and economy. Join the movement for a balanced and sustainable America!

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    $2,000
    Katlynn Williams
    Florida Southern College

    When I was little, I’d lie on the grass and see stars between tree branches. Now I lie there and see streetlights—and hear the constant hum of traffic.

    Our country is bursting at the seams. Highways are jammed. Classrooms are overcrowded. Forests are cleared to make room for housing developments that swallow nature whole. America adds over a million people every year. That’s more pressure on our environment, our resources, and our fragile future.

    This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about quality of life. It’s about clean air, safe water, affordable homes, and the disappearing chance for future generations to enjoy what once was abundant.

    We must support policies that slow, halt, and reverse U.S. population growth. That includes promoting smaller families, revisiting immigration levels, and investing in education and access to family planning. These aren’t radical ideas—they’re responsible ones.

    Let’s stop pretending we can grow forever on a planet that can’t. Let’s protect what we love before it’s gone.

    Support population stabilization. Support a sustainable America.

    Learn more at www.NPG.org

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    $2,000
    Lauren Wilmoth
    University of Virginia

    The Cost of Overpopulation

    The U.S. is growing, but at what cost? Population is expanding rapidly which strains the environment and economy, worsening American’s quality of life. Overcrowded cities, overused natural resources, and deteriorating infrastructure are not distant concerns; they are happening now.

    Each additional million people added to the U.S. population brings with them more pollution and an increased demand for natural resources like water, food, and energy. U.S. forests shrink while landfills continue to grow to insurmountable heights. Housing prices skyrocket across the nation while wages stagnate. The math doesn’t add up, and ignoring the problem of overpopulation certainly won’t make it go away.

    By supporting responsible family planning and sustainable immigration policies, you can help slow population growth. Slowing population growth preserves the resources and opportunities that future generations of Americans deserve. A smaller, sustainable America is not only possible; it’s necessary.

    Join the movement for a sustainable future! Support policies that prioritize people and the planet. Because when we control our population growth, we protect what matters most.

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    Gavin Law shows interest in negative population growth and demonstrates a strong in-class knowledge of population topics.  As a seventh grader, Gavin asks in-depth questions during class to ensure he understands how population growth is a detriment to open spaces, water supply, food supply, and even economics.  He understands how increasing population hinders ecosystems around the world due to food/water scarcity, drought, soil erosion, and pollution. 

    Since the world, including the United States, is already well over its carrying capacity for human growth this has an effect on all other species populations.  Our growth hinders other species growth and in many times they become endangered or extinct due to our population rise.  Our increased human population also has an effect economically as we have crumbling infrastructure, rising taxes, overcrowded schools/hospitals, and traffic congestion.  We are running out of places to live as open spaces have been taken for houses to be built.  Gavin understands the detrimental effects and has even done a presentation on this topic within our school.  He is serious about ensuring our community is educated about things to save the ecosystem such as recycling and reducing our carbon footprint.  He has analyzed the population within our community, which is becoming overcrowded, and written a paper to our government leaders discussing the detriment of our increasing population.  He has open discussion on how to get humans to understand and actually employ methods so humans have less of a population growth without hindering our own species’ survival. 

    Mr. Law’s understanding of negative population growth is strong and his leadership abilities to ensure this topic is discussed and brought to the attention of leader will definitely continue in the future. 

    Mrs. Kathi Sweere
    Teacher
    Ruth Doyle Middle School
    Conway, AR

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