The NextGen Grantmakers Initiative, powered by Vision for Children at Risk, is a youth-led grantmaking opportunity that places funding decisions directly in the hands of young changemakers to support projects that strengthen youth leadership, safety, mental well-being, and professional development.
Donor Name: Deaconess Foundation
State: Illinois, Missouri
County: Franklin County (MO), Jefferson County (MO), Madison County (IL), Saint Charles County (MO), Saint Clair County (IL), Saint Louis City (MO), Saint Louis County (MO)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/26/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Priority will be given to proposals that advance youth safety programs, address mental health and emotional intelligence, cultivate leadership and personal growth, and bridge the transition between adolescence and young adulthood through professional development. Strong proposals will be youth-led or meaningfully involve youth, generate positive community change, demonstrate creativity and inclusion, and present clear, achievable plans.
Goals
To center youth in funding decisions that impact their lives and communities through an equitable, transparent, and youth-led grantmaking process.
Key features of the initiative include
- Youth-led Decision Making: Grant decisions made entirely by youth.
- Capacity Building: Training and mentorship in grant evaluation, equity, and leadership.
- Community-Centered Focus: Funding support initiatives rooted in community needs and youth vision.
- Transparent Process: Open call for proposals, inclusive review, and public sharing of outcomes.
Funding Information
Through this initiative, Deaconess Foundation will be distributing $100,000 in grant funds to youth-led or youth-serving projects that prioritize equity, justice, and community impact.
Grant Period
12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Not for Profit organizations serving youth ages 10–24.
- Projects that benefit young people or address issues impacting youth.
- Projects in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and Franklin County in Missouri; St. Clair County, Madison County, and Monroe County in Illinois.
For more information, visit Deaconess Foundation.
