Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants

The Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants program is administered by the DeKalb County Community Foundation through its youth-led committee known as Youth Engaged in Philanthropy. This initiative is designed to cultivate philanthropic values among high school students while supporting projects that directly benefit youth in DeKalb County, Illinois. The program emphasizes youth leadership, civic engagement, and community service by placing young people in decision-making roles related to grant allocation. Through this structure, the foundation seeks to both fund impactful community initiatives and develop the next generation of community leaders. The primary purpose of the grant program is to enhance the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County by supporting projects and organizations that address local needs. Eligible projects must demonstrate meaningful youth involvement, either in the planning or implementation stages, and should promote youth empowerment and leadership development. The program prioritizes initiatives that align with recognized youth development frameworks, including the Developmental Assets model, which emphasizes positive growth, community engagement, and personal responsibility among young people. Funding is provided on a project-specific basis, with grant requests limited to a maximum of 2500 dollars per project. The total funding pool is determined annually and distributed based on recommendations made by the YEP committee. While funding supports programmatic activities, certain expenses are not eligible, including personnel costs, administrative overhead, political activities, debt repayment, advertising purchases, and consumable items such as prizes. Projects must demonstrate accountability through clear goals, measurable outcomes, and a willingness to adapt plans with committee approval if necessary. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations or entities with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that serve youth in DeKalb County. Applicants must demonstrate a clear connection to local community needs and provide evidence of youth engagement in their project design. Organizations are required to submit only one application per cycle and must be prepared to participate in additional evaluation steps, such as site visits or meetings with YEP representatives. Grant recipients are also required to submit a report detailing project outcomes within ten months of receiving funding. The application process is conducted entirely online and follows a structured annual timeline. Applications open on October 15 and close at 11:59 pm on December 15. After submission, applications are reviewed by YEP members beginning in January, with assignments distributed during the January committee meeting. Selected applicants may be invited to participate in site visits, which are conducted between January and early April to further assess project feasibility and impact. Final funding decisions are made during the April YEP meeting, where committee members deliberate and recommend grant allocations. These recommendations are then submitted to the Community Foundation Board of Directors for approval. Applicants are notified of decisions in late April or early May, and successful grantees are invited to attend a May celebration meeting where they receive formal recognition and grant documentation. Funding is distributed via electronic transfer shortly thereafter, typically by mid May. The program operates on an annual cycle, with recurring application periods each fall. Applicants are encouraged to review grant guidelines and supporting frameworks prior to submission to ensure alignment with program priorities. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the YEP Manager, who provides guidance throughout the process and supports both applicants and student reviewers in maintaining a fair and educational grantmaking experience.

Ensure strong youth involvement in planning and execution Align project with Developmental Assets framework Demonstrate clear community need and measurable outcomes