Youth Opportunities Unlimited Throughout Hillsdale

Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

The youth of Hillsdale County are making a meaningful impact in our community. As members of the Hillsdale County Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), these dedicated young leaders use their voices to identify local needs and take action through service, volunteerism, and innovative, youth-led projects.

Youth-Led Grantmaking

YAC members review and award grants from the W.K. Kellogg Youth Advisory Fund—an endowed fund that supports programs created by youth, for youth. Each proposal is thoughtfully evaluated with compassion and maturity, empowering young people to play an active role in shaping a stronger future for Hillsdale County. See a list of our 2024-2025 youth grant awards here.

Y.O.U.T.H. Mission

The mission of the Youth Advisory Council is to meet the needs of young people in Hillsdale County by:

Increasing awareness of youth opportunities
Sharing information and resources through collaborative leadership
Providing financial support for projects that strengthen youth communities

Through responsible grantmaking, YAC supports creative, positive programs designed to address youth-related issues and promote lasting impact. See the results of our latest Youth Needs Assessment survey here.

Membership & Eligibility

YAC membership includes two voting representatives from each Hillsdale County school district, as well as homeschooled students. When a YAC member graduates from high school, applications are typically opened to recruit new members ages 14–21.

If you are interested in applying but are unsure when a position may be available for your school, please contact the Hillsdale County Community Foundation. Membership applications are available here.

Apply for a Grant Here

Grant Guidelines

"How To" Video

GoApply V2 User Guide

GOAPPLY V2 SLIDE SHOW

Y.O.U.T.H. Grant Applications are due April 1st and November 1st each year.

Phase I – Statement of Intent

Projects that meet the guidelines and align with one of our grantmaking priority areas are invited to submit a Statement of Intent online. This brief initial application will collect basic information about your organization, a summary of the proposed project, and the amount requested.

Once your Statement of Intent is submitted and reviewed by Foundation staff, your application will be moved to Phase II within two business days, if selected to proceed. Please log in to your dashboard to begin Phase II at that time.

*If your project is not selected to move forward, you will receive feedback regarding the decision.

Phase II – Grant Application

Projects with solid potential will be asked to submit a full proposal by the deadline (April 1 or November 1). Following a review by our Y.O.U.T.H. Advisory Committee, their recommendation will go before our Board of Trustees for consideration.

Phase III – Grant Agreement

Once a grant is approved by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the recipient will receive instructions on how to access their funding. Any contingencies, reporting requirements, and next steps will be outlined at that time.

Phase IV – Grant Final Report

The final phase of the grant process is the reporting phase. Grantees will be required to submit a full financial accounting of how the grant funds were spent, including all relevant receipts and invoices.

Y.O.U.T.H. MINI GRANTS

YOUTH Mini Grants are available throughout the shool year. Mini grant requests cannot exceed $500.00 and are due at 4:00 p.m. on September 1, October 1, December 1, January 1, February 1, and March 1. Applications are available online at https://goapply2.akoyago.com/hillsdale/.

Mini Grant Guidelines:

The maximum grant request is $500.
For projects developed by youth ages 5-19 (grades K-12).
Project ideas must be developed by the youth of the applying organization.
A special Mini-Grant Application must be filled out by youth with minimal adult assistance (exceptions may be made for kindergarten and first grade age children).
The applying organization shall be tax exempt according to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an educational institution, or a governmental unit.
The submitted project or program must benefit youth.
An organization can apply no more than one time in any year.
A project can only be funded once.
Grant requests for school trips must follow the guidelines for school trip requests (click below or stop by the HCCF office).
Applicants for school requests are encouraged to discuss the application with their school’s YOUTH representative(s).

Apply for a Mini Grant

The purpose of the YOUTH Mini Grant program is:

To promote creativity and innovation
To develop youth leadership and responsibility
To encourage community service involvement
To promote awareness of YOUTH and the Hillsdale County Community Foundation and how the group serves Hillsdale County

YOUTH Grant report form

YOUTH Grant Policy for school trips