Mission
The mission of the Youth Council is to:

• Enhance the decision making skills of young people.

• Provide a forum for youth interests, needs and problems.
• Commit resources to youth-serving programs.
• Involve youth in both volunteerism and philanthropy.

Goals
The Youth Council's goals are to:

• Examine and prioritize needs of youth in the Ann Arbor area.

• Develop practical approaches to addressing those needs.
• Review grant proposals and make recommendations to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation related to income from the youth fund.
• Develop and encourage youth involvement in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Youth Council Grants

Youth Council awards grants twice each year - in the Spring and Fall.

The Youth Council is particularly interested in programs serving youth that:

• take place after school and/or weekends;

• involve teens grades 9-12 in the development and implementation of projects;

• appeal and respond to diverse needs and interests; and

• whose content and methods address youth needs for safety, fun, friendships, mentors, as well as the  opportunity for teens to take a more active role in their community.

Highest priority will be given to programs that address the issues of:

• education

• discrimination/diversity awareness

• accessibility of arts programs

• recreational activities

• teen stress. 

For information on how to apply for a grant,  click here.

Membership
The Youth Council is composed of 20-25 youth from area high schools, one adult staff advisor and 5 adults in an advisory support role. YC accepts membership applications in early September each year, and selects new members to replace graduating seniors. 

For an application, click here.

Meetings
Youth Council meets monthly.  Subcommittees meet as needed.

Youth Council Alumni Association

The Youth Council Alumni Association was created to help re-connect  Youth Council Alumni to the Community Foundation and to each other.

If you are a former Youth Council member, please click on the link below to fill out the data form. We’re seeking to collect current mailing, email addresses, and phone numbers of all YC Alumni. We’re also asking for information on graduation year and high school, information on experiences since high school, parents mailing addresses and phone numbers.

We hope to create mentorship opportunities and other beneficial connections for our YC Alumni. For instance, the database will enable Alumni to connect to the wide range of people and organizations of the Community Foundation for internships or jobs. The Alumni Association will also serve to provide Alumni with opportunities to attend reunions, reconnect with Youth Council, and to participate in volunteer work and philanthropy in the Ann Arbor area.

The Alumni Association is also beneficial for current Youth Council members, who can look to YC Alumni for advice and information on college or volunteer opportunities post high school. They might also be able to participate in joint volunteer activities in conjunction with YC Alumni.

 Youth Council Alumni Survey

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 734-663-0401 or youthcouncil@aaacf.org