Colossal Opens Voting for Next Rising Star Competition

The nationwide talent competition invites children ages 5 to 17 to compete for a grand prize and charitable support.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stage microphone, representing youth talent and the nationwide competition for young performers.
Colossal has opened public voting for the Next Rising Star competition, aiming to raise charitable funds for Russell Wilson's Why Not You Foundation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Colossal has officially launched public voting for the Next Rising Star competition, which is open to young singers, dancers, actors, and musicians. The event aims to generate charitable funds for the Why Not You Foundation through grantmaker DTCare.

Why it matters

The competition serves as a vehicle to drive donations for the Why Not You Foundation, a nonprofit established by Russell Wilson that focuses on youth initiatives. Supporters can contribute by casting daily votes for their favorite participants.

The grand prize winner will receive $20,000 in cash and features in national publications. Colossal has successfully raised over $256 million for charitable causes including DTCare since 2022.

The players

Colossal

A mission-driven fundraising platform that manages competitions to generate charitable support for nonprofits.

Why Not You Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded in 2014 by Russell Wilson to support education, children's health, and food security.

DTCare

A public charity and grantmaker that distributes funds raised through collaborative campaigns to support various philanthropic missions.

The details

Participants between the ages of 5 and 17 can register until November 4, 2026, while the public can cast one free vote every 24 hours. The eventual winner will receive media opportunities, including an appearance in a KIDZ BOP music video and an invitation to the 2027 Popstar! Awards.

Timeline

  1. October 30, 2026: Colossal opened public voting for the competition.

  2. November 4, 2026: Registration for eligible participants closes.

Market Landscape

This initiative follows the mission established by the 2014 establishment of the Why Not You Foundation to expand charitable outreach. It positions Colossal as a leading bridge between digital engagement and nonprofit funding.

Readers can participate by voting daily to support young talent, though there is no direct cost to vote. The charitable contributions generated through the platform support the Why Not You Foundation's ongoing youth investments.

The takeaway

This competition demonstrates how modern digital platforms can gamify the charitable giving process. Supporters are encouraged to check the official guidelines regularly to ensure their votes contribute effectively toward the foundation's goals.

What happens next

Registration for child participants closes on November 4, 2026, and the eventual grand prize winner is scheduled to appear at the 2027 Popstar! Awards.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest industry trends in United States Philanthropy.

More information

Review the full competition rules and registration details on the Next Rising Star competition website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.

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Do you think online competitions are a positive way to raise money for charitable causes?