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Chantal Pasag she/her/ella
Program Officer
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Youth Grant Committee
Students from public, private and home-school high schools throughout greater Grand Rapids make up Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Youth Grant Committee. During the school year, Youth Grant Committee 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 award grants.
informed by students
The Youth Grant Committee at Grand Rapids Community Foundation conducts a Needs Assessment Survey of high schoolers in Kent County every other year. View the full report here.
YGC Rocks
The Youth Grant Committee presents an awesome opportunity for local high school students to gain leadership experience while working as part of a diverse team to make decisions that make a real impact. Students learn about the nonprofits in our community working to meet the needs of youth. They also conduct a grant process—ultimately awarding around $45,000 to programs that they deem right for support.
Just as important are the friendships that students make with kids from different schools and backgrounds. In addition to monthly meetings, students take part in team-building activities and service projects.
For more information on how to join, scroll down to the Youth Grant Committee FAQ section.
Meet the Committee Members
We are thrilled to have this great group of teens as part of our Community Foundation!
Grants Awarded January 2022
Amount
Date
Purpose
$5,000
Mar. 2022
To implement lessons learned from the past year’s virtual mentoring into the 2022-2023 programming, including recruiting, training, and matching new mentors.
$3,000
Mar. 2022
To support the Total Trek Quest program, which uses running and educational activities to encourage positive mental health and wellness, learning to set goals, and building strong relationships.
$2,500
Mar. 2022
To provide youth-led, creative, and accessible community arts activities at the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival.
$7,000
Mar. 2022
To center youth voices by co-creating opportunities that give youth with lived homeless experience the tools and training to effect system change, through the Kent County Youth Action Board.
$3,000
Mar. 2022
Summer program support for students to participate in field trips and activities focused on mental health, wellness, and academic skills.
$2,000
Mar. 2022
Support for the Blue Collar Program, which provides training for young men of color seeking skilled trade careers.
$6,000
Mar. 2022
To provide retail and marketing job-training experiences for youth in the juvenile court system, including customer service and website design skills.
$1,000
Mar. 2022
To support programming that gives marginalized youth the support and resources they need to pursue a career in healthcare.
$3,000
Mar. 2022
Support for Dreams Take Work Summer Camp, a student-led community work and socio-emotional program.
$5,500
Mar. 2022
Community organizing, data analysis, and social media training experiences for local youth.
$5,000
Mar. 2022
Support for L.I.F.E (Learning Important Fundamentals to Evolve) program, which focuses on providing training in life skills for youth.
$3,000
Mar. 2022
Rhoer Club Symposium’s SupporTEEN GR Youth event to activate youth participation in social justice activism, allyship, and community leadership.
$6,000
Mar. 2022
Support for the Teen Leaders summer program focused on environmental and racial justice, including experiences in nature.
$5,000
Mar. 2022
Give youth the tools to improve their mental health through building a community garden, increasing food autonomy, and empowering FitKids to become change-makers in their communities.
$5,000
Mar. 2022
Support for The Power Within program, which promotes building self-esteem through positive relationships, education, and the sharing of resources and stories focused on taboo and stigmatized topics.
$6,000
Mar. 2022
NexGen Media GR support for youth to explore broadcast communications career opportunities.
$4,000
Mar. 2022
To equip youth to become change-makers by learning about racism in the U.S. food systems, to share out through community education and engagement opportunities.
$4,000
Mar. 2022
To give blind and visually impaired children and youth a summer camp experience to learn leadership techniques and life skills.
$5,000
Mar. 2022
Supporting IN•clued: Inclusive Healthcare, Empowered Youth programming, which addresses sexual health disparities through inclusive healthcare and education.
$6,000
Mar. 2022
Mentoring and tutoring program focused on academic and life enhancement skills.
$5,000
Mar. 2022
Supporting Camp ARYV (Always Raise Youth Voices), a day camp experience to equip youth to engage in community organizing, activism, advocacy, and liberation work.
$1,000
Mar. 2022
Program support for students to engage in leadership opportunities.
$7,000
Mar. 2022
Freedom School + MLK Peace Dream Garden support to build capacity, engage the community and increase the quality of instruction and activities for program participants.
Youth Grant Committee FAQ
Here's everything you need to know about youth grants from Grand Rapids Community Foundation and how to apply for funds.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities (including schools), or community groups willing to obtain a fiscal sponsor (with help from the Community Foundation) may apply for grants for programs that benefit youth in the greater Grand Rapids area. Proposals should address one of the youth needs identified in the fund guidelines, be creative and well-defined, and demonstrate equitable community impact. A project budget and plans for program evaluation should be included as well. Call the Grand Rapids Community Foundation at 616.454.1751 if you have questions.
Grant applications are available online each year. Past applicants will receive an email notification when future grant application timelines have been established. Please contact Chantal Pasag, YGC advisor, at CPasag@GRFoundation.org if you wish to be notified when the application opens.
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 $45,000 in grants is available annually.
In the last two decades, we have awarded more than one million dollars to local nonprofits. We particularly like to support programs that are unique, address racial, social and economic justice, and incorporate youth leadership.
Membership in YGC is open to any Grand Rapids area high school student interested in serving their community and willing to volunteer their time. Hundreds of area students have served on the Committee since YGC began, with many of them serving through all four years of high school. Membership applications are available each March and new members are selected in May. For more information, click here, or contact Chantal Pasag, YGC advisor, at CPasag@GRFoundation.org.
Membership applications for 2022 - 2023 are currently closed.
Youth across the state of Michigan are active serving their communities and addressing issues of concern. Learn more about Michigan's many Youth Advisory Committees by visiting the Michigan Community Foundation Youth Project's website.
Program Officer
English, Español