The Youth Grantmakers Fund provided financial support for projects, programs and/or activities that served youth in such areas as Health and Human Services, Arts and Culture, and Education.
Donor Name: Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF)
State: California
County: Riverside County (CA), San Bernardino County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Inland Empire Community Foundation established the Youth Grantmakers Program in 2008 to encourage philanthropy among youth. Youth Grantmakers address issues important to them by being rigorously trained in grantmaking. Students ages 15 to18 apply to the Youth Grantmakers through their high school administrative or counseling offices. Through a rigorous 6 month, hands-on curriculum YG students build leadership skills, participate in community service activities, conduct a needs assessment of issues relevant to youth, make site visits to nonprofit organizations, review and analyze grant proposals, and make grant recommendations based on local needs.
Objectives
- Support nonprofits/programs that offer free, or low cost therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care for youth.
- Support nonprofits/programs that focus on youth mental health trends and advocate for systematic change
- Support nonprofits/school programs that focus on Career Readiness, College Preparation, Financial
Literacy - Support online therapy platforms, mental health apps, and virtual support networks
Funding Priorities
The Youth Grantmakers Fund is a responsive grant making opportunity designed to empower the Youth Grantmaker members to review, score and recommend grant proposals that provide meaningful impact in the community. Submission of proposal that include activities that involve youth to address community need through involvement in arts (dance, drama, creative arts, music writing etc.), advocacy programs, educational classes, mentoring /tutoring, outdoor experiences, “real-life” learning experiences, service learning and treatment services are encouraged.
Funding Information
Applicants may request amounts in the following range: $1,000 to $5,000. The maximum grant award is $5,000.
Grant Period
June 1, 2026 and must end no later than May 31, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit, public benefit corporations with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and not classified as a private foundation. Educational institutions are eligible to apply.
- Nonprofit agencies that serve youth residing in Riverside, San Bernardino, Coachella Valley.
- Agencies that operate so that they do not discriminate in the hiring of staff or in providing services on
the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability. - Agencies that have received Youth Grantmaker funds consecutively for the past two years (2024 and
2025) are not eligible to apply.
For more information, visit IECF.
