In its most recent grant cycle, Youth Council awarded $33,147 in grants to support local programs that benefit youth in the Ann Arbor area.

In a recent all-day grant meeting, Youth Council (YC) evaluated 17 grant applications to decide how they would award available funding for their Fall grant cycle. After visiting with representatives from each nonprofit organization, YC members typically spend a few hours discussing and evaluating the merits of each grant application.

Reaching consensus on how to allocate funding is never easy - especially when the number of worthy requests outpaces the grant dollars available.
Youth Council awarded grants to the following programs:

Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark - $4,147
To help build a safe, recreational facility in Ann Arbor that can support skateboarding - the fastest growing sport for youth under 14.

Peace Neighborhood Center - $4,000
To refit the Center’s after-school computer lab with several laptop and notebook computers to provide greater flexibility and computer access for Peace Neighborhood’s after school programs.

Friends of the Rutherford Pool - $20,000 (over two years)
To help rebuild a community pool that provides swim lessons and summer recreational activities for 1,000 area residents – a majority of whom are youth between the ages of 5-18.

Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra (YYO) - $5,000
To provide funding for additional teachers for pre-orchestra classes and for students to attend the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. The YYO includes 126 students in the Ypsilanti area – many who do not have the opportunity or resources to be able to play in a full orchestra.

NOTE: In 2011, Youth Council awarded $66,147 in total grants over two grant cycles. Click here for a complete list.