In Youth We Trust Youth Grants

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

Predicted deadline: Nov 28, 2023

Grant amount: Up to US $3,500

Funding uses: Education / Outreach, Project / Program

Location of project: Counties in Illinois: Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, Winnebago County

Location of residency: Counties in Illinois: Boone County, Ogle County, Stephenson County, Winnebago County

Overview:

In Youth We Trust is a youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.

Established with a grant from the Ford Foundation in 1994 and endowed by a local donor, In Youth We Trust (IYWT) teaches grantmaking, volunteerism, and leadership skills to today’s youth, preparing them to be the positive change of tomorrow. Since its inception, IYWT has granted over $500,000 to youth projects in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties.

This year, the IYWT Council will distribute up to $40,000 to community projects that benefit local youth, in a grant process that mirrors CFNIL’s Community Grants.

For the 2022-2023 school year IYWT will have two grant cycles: one for proposals written by nonprofit organizations for the purpose of serving youth, and one for proposals written by youth for youth-led, youth-benefiting projects.

• The cycle for proposals written by nonprofit organizations will open March 2, 2023, and close April 3, 2023.
• The cycle for proposals written by youth will open October 28, 2022, and close November 28, 2022.

The focus of the 2022 - 2023 IYWT program year is youth mental health.

What We Look For

The In Youth We Trust Grant Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois looks for projects that:

• Promote collaboration and teamwork.
  
• Provide creative solutions to community issues.
• Create community awareness and understanding of youth issues.
• Have a clear, practical plan for implementation.
• Have a realistic budget.
• For the 2022 - 2023 program year, IYWT will focus on projects which support youth mental health.

Please visit this page to view details about the nonprofit (adult) In Youth We Trust grant cycle.

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.

Eligibility:

• To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:
• Be part of a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency, public institution (such as a school), and/or organized group carrying out a charitable purpose for the public good.
  
• Operate within Boone, Ogle, Stephenson and/or Winnebago County.
• Be a group that is primarily made up of members who are 19 years of age or younger.
• Propose a project that is planned and implemented by youth.
• Involve youth in every aspect of the grant process – writing the application, participating in applicant interviews, implementing the project, and participating in any grant check presentation for their organization.
• Be operated and organized so that there is no discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran’s status, disability, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

Preferences:

• Priority will be given to collaborative projects.

Ineligibility:

• The Community Foundation does not make grants from its In Youth We Trust Fund for the following:
• For-profit organizations.
• Adult-inspired and implemented youth programs (Adult partners are encouraged to provide guidance but are not allowed to write the application or be the primary organizers of the project).
• Salaries for adult advisors or coordinators.
• Projects and programs that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services. However, grants may be made to faith-based organizations for other purposes.
• Individuals.