APPLY FOR A GRANT
Youth Making Change
Youth Making Change (YMC) is a youth-led grant-making program that was launched in 2008 in order to provide young people with the opportunity to engage directly in organized philanthropy (giving money). YMC is made up of youth ages 13-19 and gives grants (money) and technical assistance to projects that address issues and challenges directly affecting youth in Santa Barbara County. YMC Board members create and conduct an entire grant cycle from start to finish and then share what they have learned as grant-makers and philanthropists with their communities. Each YMC Board (one in
Apply for a YMC Grant
Does your group want to do something about the problems affecting teens in your community?
Do you have an idea to create positive change for young people in
If you answered YES to any of these questions, your youth-led group can apply to receive a grant from Youth Making Change!
Get $500 - $5,000 for your project.
Basic Guidelines:
- Projects must be youth driven. Youth ages 12 – 23 should be leaders in all aspects of the project.
- Youth in the community must benefit from the project, not just the planning team.
- Projects must address a social issue or meet an actual need facing young people in
- Projects must be located in
- Youth -led groups must have an adult ally or a sponsoring organization, such as a school or community-based organization.
We Invite Applications From Youth-Led Groups Who Are:
- Addressing a social issue/problem or need of young people in the county;
- Working against discrimination based on race, sex/gender, age, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, physical/mental ability, ethnicity, language spoken or immigration status;
- Advocating for the rights of youth;
- Promoting the self-determination of youth (the act or power of making up one's own mind about what to think or do)
- Working toward eliminating youth violence and drug use;
- Working on improving the environment, especially organizing youth;
- Operating in a democratic manner, responsive to and directed by youth and the constituency being served.
Please see YMC Grant Application pdf version for COMPLETE guidelines and application process.
Need Help Planning Your Project? We want to help!
1. Download a PROJECT PLANNING WORKBOOK here!
2. Come to a YMC GRANT APPLICANT WORKSHOP to learn more about the YMC guidelines and ask questions about your proposed project!
This workshop is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Thursday , October 7, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 14, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Santa Maria Public Library-Shepard Hall,
3. CONTACT US to set up a time when we can talk to your group about things like how to choose an idea, create a time line for your project, write your essay, or fill out your budget.
YMC GRANT APPLICATIONS DUE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010
YMC GRANT APPLICATION 2010/2011 (with complete guidelines and instructions) pdf click here!
YMC Grant Application WORD version (please see pdf application for complete guidelines and completion instructions) (coming soon!)
YMC Solicitud en Español (viene pronto)
YMC Grant History
YMC Board
Each 15 member board is made up of teens ages 13 – 19 from different neighborhoods, schools, grades, academic levels and life experiences. Youth are
encouraged to apply regardless of race, gender, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, physical/mental ability, ethnicity, language spoken, or immigration status. Board members learn about philanthropy as a tool to address issues facing young people in
Board terms run from July to June of the following year. Applications are available in April.
What past YMC members, parents and the community are saying about YMC
YMC Member: “I enjoyed finding out some of the needs in the community and seeing the programs people have started to deal with them”
Parent: “I watched my daughter gain more self-esteem and become more assertive. She knows her voice is important and now takes steps to make sure she is heard”
Community Member: “The thing I love about this program: it makes it clear that our youth are NOT the future leaders of the world. Rather they are the leaders NOW. YMC allows youth the opportunity to lead, to get other youth involved in learning about and applying for grants, and allows our youth-led community development programs additional funding to better impact our youth.”
For more information contact Cristina Gonzalez, Program Manager, at the Fund for Santa Barbara at 805-922-1707 or cgonzalez@fundforsantabarbara.org