Youth Grant Committee
Engaging Students in Philanthropy
Students from public, private and home-school high schools throughout greater Grand Rapids make up Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Youth Grant Committee (YGC). 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 present grant recommendations to the Community Foundation's Board of Trustees.
YGC Rocks
So many reasons to be part of YGC
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
YGC 2019–2020
We are thrilled to have this great group of teens as part of our Community Foundation!
- Kyle Austin, Grand Rapids Christian
- Christian Baty, Grand Rapids Christian
- Ava BooydeGraaff, Grand Rapids Christian
- Stella BooydeGraaff, Grand Rapids Christian
- Zoe Braun, Forest Hills Northern
- Khya Carter, East Kentwood
- Carole Chee, Grand Rapids Christian
- Hope Chun, Grand Rapids Christian
- Noah Chun, Grand Rapids Christian
- Livia Dietrichson, Northview
- Pablo Eliseo Villalvazo, Union High
- Ryleigh Fischer, Forest Hills Northern
- Caleeb Fisher, Grand River Preparatory Academy
- Cody Garrison, Union High
- Dallas Hopson, Forest Hills Central
- Roman Jeffries, Forest Hills Eastern
- Midian Johnson, City High
- Clara Kilburn, West Michigan Aviation Academy
- Kyle Korte, Forest Hills Eastern
- Brenda Lopez-Arreaga, West Michigan Aviation Academy
- Skylar Meyer, Innovation Central
- Jack Nelson, Grand Rapids Christian
- Antony Pena, Union High
- Kaylanna Ross, West Michigan Aviation Academy
- Natalee Ryder, Northview/Kent Innovation
- Kynade Sparks, East Kentwood
- Kyndle Sparks, East Kentwood
- Drew Theut, East Grand Rapids
- Christina Vann, West Michigan Aviation Academy
- Alex Vaughn-Earvin, Forest Hills Central
- Lily Walker, Grand River Preparatory Academy
Awarded Grants
Youth Grant Committee Awards, May 2019
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
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Artists Creating Together
$2,350
May. 2019
In support of the Art of Gardening program, which explores the arts to promote confidence, wellness, community engagement, and self-expression for youth with disabilities.
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Better Wiser Stronger
$3,000
May. 2019
Investing in the Teach Me 2 Tie program, which provides young males ages 14-18 the skills, self confidence and learning for a successful future socially and academically.
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Bridge Street House of Prayer
$2,000
May. 2019
Supporting extracurricular Resurgence Labs for Westwood Middle School students.
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Children's Healing Center
$5,000
May. 2019
To positively impact and encourage Children's Healing Center members through education, socialization, and provide them with a support system lasting through their teen years.
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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
$3,500
May. 2019
Strengthen Sign language, increase self-esteem, social skills, and awareness of post high school educational and career opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing children.
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Ebony Road Players
$3,000
May. 2019
Supporting the "Story to Stage" program, which creates opportunities to record the stories of our Black/Brown young community members, capturing their stories for posterity.
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Girls Growing II Women
$3,000
May. 2019
Supporting the Fit 2 Mirror program, which trains participants to mirror their leadership, mentors, career path, healthy relationship skills and positive attitudes for their peers with good communication skills.
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Grand Rapids HQ
$2,000
May. 2019
To invest in HQ Members' work to recover their vital documents so that they can further their education, obtain and advance their employment, and pursue housing.
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Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities
$2,500
May. 2019
Provide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) exploration for students in grades 5-8 in the Roosevelt Park/Black Hills neighborhoods of Grand Rapids.
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Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes
$2,500
May. 2019
To bring high impact financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programming to students in order to inspire and prepare them for the 21st century economy.
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Kingdom Minded Ministries
$6,000
May. 2019
For the purchase of class materials and the Servsafe Certification test for participants of the KMM Young Chef's program.
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No Surrender Running Club
$3,000
May. 2019
To continue expansion of No Surrender Running Club's 2019 youth development programming by increasing organizational capacity to serve Grand Rapids youth from underserved neighborhoods.
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Planned Parenthood of Michigan
$4,500
May. 2019
Supporting the Streetwise to Sexwise program in which systems-involved youth learn how to be sexually safe, healthy, and responsible through lessons on consent, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and healthy sexual decision-making.
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SLD Read
$3,650
May. 2019
Support for at risk 1st-3rd grade students who are significantly below grade level in reading and spelling but do not qualify for special education.
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The Edge Urban Church
$4,000
May. 2019
To enhance the Student Worker Initiative, to fund group projects, job site visits and job shadowing.
Youth Grant Committee FAQ
Thinking About a YGC Grant for Your Organization?
Here's everything you need to know about youth grants from Grand Rapids Community Foundation and how to apply for funds.
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Any 501(c)(3) 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.
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Grant applications are available online each year beginning in early December and are due by the second Friday in February. For the 2019-2020 grant cycle, applications will be available online in November 2019 and are due by Friday, January 24, 2020.
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.
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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, exhibit a great deal of creativity and incorporate youth leadership.
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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 March and new members are selected in May. For more information, click here, or contact Erika VanDyke, YGC Advisor, at evandyke@grfoundation.org.
Membership applications for the 2019-20 YGC are currently closed. Applications for the 2020-21 year will open in early March, with an application deadline of April 24, 2020.
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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.
