Who We Are and What We Do
The Community Foundation's Youth Grant Committee (YGC) is comprised of public, private and home-schooled high school students from the greater Grand Rapids area. During the school year, members meet and assess youth issues, develop a request for proposals process to address those needs, follow up with previous grantees, conduct interviews and site visits and present grant recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
Youth Grant Committee Members
Amani Allen, Forest Hills Central
Teyland Avery, Ottawa Hills
Hannah Bodnar, Rockford
Max Boorsma, West Catholic
Preston Boorsma, West Catholic
Donavan Cummings, Central
Yvonne Danko, Catholic Central
Kate Dann, Forest Hills Eastern
Jude Eyamba, Creston
Jack Gould, Catholic Central
LZ Granderson, City High
Quinn Hascall, Northpointe Christian
Darryl Johnson, University Prep
Nick Kooyer, Northview
Katie Kraus, West Catholic
Myles McCurdy, South Christian
Raqhelle Millbrooks, City High
Matt Norris, Northview
Meghan Race, Forest Hills Central
Yasmeen Robinson, Creston
Deja Smith, Forest Hills Northern
Desmond Smith, Forest Hills Northern
Khaysirah Muhammad Smith, East Kentwood
Lexie Sweat, Forest Hills Northern
Alex Tarr, Caledonia
Kaela Theut, East Grand Rapids
Alondra Abigail Vergara-Diaz, City High
Aaron Williams, Grand Rapids Christian
Austin Young, East Kentwood
Belonging to the Youth Grant Committee is good for students and GREAT for the community!
Youth Grant Committee members benefit by:
- Participating in a real-life leadership experience in which decisions are made that have a real impact.
- Learning about the needs of youth in the community by conducting a survey every two years.
- Understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in the community by reviewing grant requests.
- Gaining decision-making skills and how to work as part of a diverse group.
- Appreciating the value of service to the community.
- Making many new friends who attend different schools and have backgrounds.
The community benefits by:
- Receiving funding for programs that benefit youth and appeal to youth.
- Observing young people working for positive change in the community.
- Hearing a youth voice as YGC members share their insight at local conferences and on advisory committees.
- Discovering youth opinions through the biannual survey conducted by the YGC.
- Utilizing knowledgeable young volunteers who have an understanding of community issues and who are well-prepared to take on leadership positions as adults.