Youth Advisory Committee Grants
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What is the Youth Advisory Committee?
The Ionia County Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Committee is composed of students representing high schools located in Ionia County. We are committed to addressing and improving problems concerning young people, by funding programs directed toward youth. Membership on the Youth Advisory Committee is open to Belding, Ionia, Lakewood, Portland, and Saranac youth. The Youth Advisory Committee is affiliated with the Ionia County Community Foundation.
The members of the Youth Advisory Committee are concerned with the status of the youth in our community. We wish to promote positive youth action by generating youth involvement.What will be funded?
Programs that benefit Ionia County youth will be funded. A total of $9,750 is available for grants. The Youth Advisory Committee conducts a needs assessment every two years to identify funding priorities. Focus groups conducted in fall 2004 by members of the YAC with students attending five Ionia County High Schools identified the following grant priority areas:
- Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
- Teen pregnancy
- Depression/suicide
- Parent education
- Service-learning
- Guest speakers that address youth issues
- Literacy
- Obesity
- Teen driver safety
The YAC is especially interested in youth projects that assist students in bridging the achievement gap. The YAC is using the definition below:
- An achievement gap refers to the observed disparity on a number of educational measures between the performance of groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, ability, and socioeconomic status.
- The achievement gap can be observed on a variety of measures, including standardized test scores, grade point average, dropout rates, and college-enrollment and completion rates. Such standardized test are ACT, SAT, and MME.
Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
The Ionia County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee is offering student groups and local nonprofit organizations (with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status), an opportunity to apply for grants. Grants will be made with income derived from the Ionia County Community Foundation Youth Fund.
What makes a good grant proposal?
Grant proposals should assist the applying organization to implement a project or program that benefits youth. Proposals developed by youth or with youth involvement in planning are encouraged. The proposed project or program should:
- Have clear goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
- Impact a significant number of Ionia County youth from birth to age 18.
- Avoid duplication with other projects and programs in the community.
- Address an issue and make a significant difference for youth.
In addition, the applying organization and its participants will not be discriminated against on the basis of, but not limited to, gender, religion, physical disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
When are applications available?
Typically the Request for Proposals (RFP) is available in late December and proposals are due in mid-February. Grant awards are announced in May.
If you have questions or would like additional information please contact the Education & Youth Program Officer, Cris Kooyer, at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, at 616.454.1751 x118 or email her at .
© Grand Rapids Community Foundation - 185 Oakes Street SW - Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 - 616.454.1751
