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.
Donor Name: DeKalb County Community Foundation
State: Illinois
County: DeKalb County (IL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/01/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy 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 the community.
Funding Information
YEP Grant up to $2,500.
Priorities
- Be a Youth Initiative
- Youth must be directly involved in the project’s development and/or implementation. 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 applicants or that show strong youth involvement in the project planning process.
- Preference is given to grant requests that address mental health (anxiety, depression, stress, etc.) in youth.
- Respect Equitable Opportunity
- 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 clear goals.
- Applicants need to report any alterations to their project plans after submission of the application, and the changes need to be approved by the YEP committee.
- Applicants should be willing to discuss their grant request with YEP representatives either as part of the application process or as a site visit to evaluate the program or project.
- Applicants should be open to communication from YEP representatives to ensure all questions are answered and application information is understood.
- 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.
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. Grant applications are due on February 1 of each year and are reviewed by members of the YEP committee. All grant requests must be submitted online. A site visit and/or presentation may be requested for select applications. YEP Grants are project or program-specific.
- A final grant report is due within 10 months after receiving grant dollars. You will receive a reminder two weeks before the deadline. If an extension is needed Applicants must have grant dollars used and a final report submitted from the prior year’s YEP Grant before applying for another.
For more information, visit DCCF.
