Youth Council Grant Programs

AAACF Youth Council awards over $80,000 in grants annually. Grants support local programs and projects that have expanded opportunities for young people throughout our region.

At the broadest level, Youth Council will review grant applications for programs that serve area youth between the ages of 5-18. Youth Council is particularly interested in programs that are youth-initiated or involve youth in decision-making.

Youth Council Needs Assessment

The original W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant that established AAACF’s Youth Council in 1989 requires that Youth Council conduct a needs assessment every three years to identify the concerns and needs of our community's youth.

The purpose of the Needs Assessment Survey is to gain a better and deeper understanding of the issues that are of greatest concern to young people in our community. Survey results help shape Youth Council’s funding priorities and identify possible opportunities to effect change. Youth Council also feels that the Needs Assessment Survey helps to give a real and credible voice to the population it is trying to serve.

December 2016 Needs Assessment Results and Funding Priorities

Most Urgent Funding Priorities

Most Urgent Priorities

In no particular order, the December 2016 Needs Assessment showed the following funding priorities as most urgent:

Mental health initiatives for teens
Programs that equip teens for employment before and/or after graduation
Programs that prepares students for college and the college admissions process
Programs that address anti-discrimination in key areas such as:
- Mental health
- Physical and cognitive disabilities
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Socioeconomic status
- Ethnicity
- Religion

Key Elements

Transportation
Stipend participation for leadership positions
Sliding scale/reduced cost participation fees
Programs and organizations that validate youth voice and perspective

Other Funds and Grants Awarded by the Youth Council

James and Clarice Foster Fund

Supports programs focused on helping youth in the Juvenile Division of the Probate Court system and grants out approximately $3,500 per year.

Children with Disabilities Fund

Supports programs that meet the needs of children with disabilities in Washtenaw County and grants out approximately $5,000 per year.

How to Apply for a Youth Council Grant

Register Your Nonprofit

Register your nonprofit to receive your login credentials that grant you access to the NonProfit Portal. Through this portal you can apply for grants and receive information specific to nonprofits.

If you are unsure if your organization has already registered and/or you need to add or delete users, please contact Zachary Smith.

Requests for proposals and information on applications will be available on AAACF's website when the grant program is open. All registered nonprofits will also receive an email notifying them of the opportunity.

2020 Youth Council Grants

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, grantmaking has been adapted to reflect new pressures faced by nonprofits and residents. All 2020 Youth Council Grants, totaling $78,000, were converted from programmatic funding into general operating support.

Grantees
826 Michigan	Ballet Chelsea
Educate Youth	Ele's Place
Growing Hope	Neutral Zone
Peace Neighborhood Center	Therapeutic Riding
Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education

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