Youth Engaged In Philanthropy Grants
The Hamilton Community Foundation created the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) program in 2023. The YEP Program engages Hamilton County high school juniors in a program whose curriculum educates area youth about the importance and impact that grantmaking, fundraising, charitable giving and service projects have on the community.
Grant Cycle
The Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) students are seeking proposals from eligible charitable organizations in Hamilton County. Grant applications will be accepted, online only, Tues., Nov. 14 - Mon., Dec. 11th. Grant requests should not exceed $5,000. A total of $10,000 in grant awards will be announced in April 2024.
Scope
Funds may be used to expand existing programs or to initiate new projects that impact Hamilton County. Additional consideration will be awarded to programs or projects that:
1. directly benefit youth under 21 years of age.
2. provide youth with leadership opportunities in planning, organizing and/or delivering the proposed program or project.
3. offer a learning component beyond the project itself, which provides youth with specific knowledge about the purpose and activities of your organization.
Please direct questions to the Foundation office at 402-694-3200 or lthiele@hcfne.org.
What is the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Program?
Simply stated, the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Program provides opportunities for youth to add their voice and action to important community issues. These issues are often those which are immediately impacting the greatest needs in our community, that are surrounded by a sense of urgency and importance, and in which youth input is clearly needed to more fully understand and address the issue. Actively addressing such community challenge generally requires a broad, collaborative effort to be successful.
In this program, students are taught how to recognize and how to seize opportunities for addressing community needs through grantmaking. The approach focuses on the students’ ability to be more engaged in decisions that impact youth and the community they live in. Students will proactively organize, plan and implement a course of action. This often requires a high degree of resourcefulness, ingenuity and collaboration with others.
The Youth Engaged Philanthropy program will meet September through April. Monthly sessions are approximately two hours with additional time for a cohort service project.
If you have any questions, contact Lori Thiele at 402-694-3200 or lthiele@hcfne.org.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.