YEP Grant to Encourage and Develop the Practice of Philanthropy in Young Adults (Illinois)

Details:

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, designed to encourage and develop the practice of philanthropy in young adults. YEP inspires a lifelong interest and a commitment to serving others in the community with a focus on youth impact.

Projects considered for funding must be dedicated to the community, directly involve youth, and promote youth empowerment and leadership.

Goal

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) goal is to assess community youth needs, create clear criteria for grants, and review and evaluate proposals thoroughly. YEP members make grants to support good ideas that will make a difference in their community.

Priorities

• Be a Youth Initiative
• Youth must be directly involved in the development and/or implementation of the project. Projects may occur in the areas of Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Environment & Animal Welfare, or Health & Human Services.
  • Preference is given to innovative programs or projects.
  • Preference is given to applications submitted by youth applicant or that show strong youth involvement in the project planning process.
  • Grants are limited to a maximum of $2,500 per project.
• Respect Equitable Opportunity
  • Projects must respect diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Preference is given to programs or projects that work to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion among youth in DeKalb County.
• Dedicated to Community (DeKalb County, IL)
  • The project must be in response to a legitimate youth need or direct youth benefit in DeKalb County, IL.
• Have Accountability
  • Applicants must have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and demonstrate a realistic plan with a clear set of goals.
  • Applicants need to report any alterations of their project plans after submission of the application and the changes need to be approved by the YEP committee.
  • Applicants should be willing to meet with YEP representatives either as part of the application process or for a site visit to evaluate the program or project.
  • Applicants who receive funding are expected to complete a grant report on the project’s success by February 1 the following year.
• Demonstrate Promotion of the 40 Developmental Assets
  • The projects should be consistent with the YEP’s dedication to youth empowerment, promotion of youth leadership, and the strengthening of youth involvement as reflected in the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets framework. The grant application requires knowledge of the 40 Developmental Assets.

Eligibility Criteria

Nonprofit organizations and eligible community organizations are invited to apply for a YEP Grant, up to $2,500, for programs and projects that impact youth in DeKalb County.

Projects Generally Not Funded

While the Community Foundation remains flexible in meeting community needs, in general, YEP Grants generally do not fund:

• Operational phases of established programs.
• Personnel and/or administrative costs associated with programs or projects.
• Religious purposes (however, grants can be given to religious organizations for non-religious purposes, or facilities such as day-care centers that have non-profit status independent from a sponsoring church or religious organization).
• Purchase of advertising.
• Capital or operational debt reduction.
• Any political campaign or to support attempts to influence legislative issues of any government body.
• Consumable items.

For more information, visit YEP Grants.