General Information
Who is eligible to apply for grants?
Any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization with programs that benefit youth is eligible to apply. Proposals should address specific youth issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, stress, teen pregnancy and other issues. Call the Grand Rapids Community Foundation at 616.454.1751 if you have questions. Proposals should address one of the identified youth needs, be creative and well-defined, and demonstrate broad community impact. An evaluation component and a plan for on-going funding should be included as well.
When is the proposal deadline?
The YGC considers grant requests annually. Typically, the Request for Proposals (RFP) is available in late December of each year and the proposals are due in mid-February. Grant awards are announced the following May. If you would like information regarding future grant opportunities, you may contact Cris Kooyer at 616.454.1751 or click here to email her.
Where does the grant funding comes from?
The money available for grants comes from income generated by a $1.8 million Youth Fund, which is held in permanent endowment by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The Youth Fund was established in 1991 with $1 million in matching funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Approximately $50,000 in grants is available annually.
Who receives the grant awards?
2007 marked the 15th year of the YGC. In the last decade and a half, we have awarded over half of a million dollars to local nonprofits. We particularly like to support programs that are unique, exhibit a great deal of creativity and incorporate youth leadership. Past grant recipients include:
- Child & Family Resource Council to fund the RAVE (Resources Against Violent Encounters) program, a relationship violence prevention education program for at-risk adolescents.
- Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, to support the 2007 Summer Arts Day Camp for children in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood.
- Humanity for Africa, Inc. to reach out to the African youth immigrant community who are at risk of cultural crises, dropping out of school, and delinquent behavior.
- Grand Rapids Track Club to support the After School and Summer Track and Field Program for youth in the City of Grand Rapids.
How can you join YGC?
Membership in YGC is open to any Grand Rapids area high school student interested in serving their community and willing to volunteer their time. More than 200 area students have served on the Committee over the past 10 years, with many of them serving through all four years of high school. Membership applications are available each April and new members are selected in June. Click here to download the application to join the Youth Grant Committee. For more information, please contact Cris Kooyer at 616.454.1751 or click here to email her.
Want to learn more about youth grantmaking?
Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project: www.youthgrantmakers.org Youthgrantmakers.org is a communication of the Michigan Community Foundation Youth Project (MCFYP) of the Council of Michigan Foundations, with funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Youth on Boards: www.youthonboard.org Youth on Board prepares youth to be leaders and decision makers in their communities and strengthens relationships between youth and adults through publications, customized workshops, and technical assistance.
The Giving Forum: www.givingforum.org/knowledgecenter/youth_index.html The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers is a national network of local leaders and organizations across the United States that support effective charitable giving. The Forum?s network focuses on the philanthropy of the city, state, and multi-state areas of the U.S. and encompasses 31 regional associations of grantmakers. These regional associations collectively represent more than 4,000 grantmakers and others interested in philanthropy.
Learning to Give: www.learningtogive.org Learning to Give offers lesson plans, activities, and resources to educate youth about the power of philanthropy (sharing time, talent and treasure).
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