Future Youth Involvement (FYI) Fund Mini Grant

The Future Youth Involvement (FYI) Fund Mini Grant, managed by the Tuscola County Community Foundation, empowers school-sanctioned student organizations to engage in philanthropy and leadership. With up to $250 available per organization, FYI fosters community improvement through grants for diverse educational and cultural projects. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year, encouraging student initiative and participation while ensuring oversight by school authorities. This initiative aims to cultivate responsible youth leadership and enhance the quality of life in Tuscola County.

Future Youth Involvement (FYI), the Youth Advisory Council of the Tuscola County Community Foundation, manages a permanent endowed fund that has assets of over $1 million dollars. FYI membership is comprised of students from the nine schools of the Tuscola Intermediate School District.
Jackie List-Houser and Megan Bartolowits serve as adult advisors mentoring the youth to make conscientious and often difficult decisions through a variety of program components including:

• Request for proposals
• Grant making
• Fundraising
• Conduct ‘Youth Needs Assessment’
• Learning to run a small organization

FYI teaches youth the value of philanthropy and fosters leadership qualities as the committee works to make Tuscola County a better place to live.

Eligibility

Must be a school-sanctioned student organization. Evidence of student initiation/participation in authoring the FYI Mini-Grant Application. Grants are limited to $250 per student organization. A maximum of two (2), $250 mini-grants per TISD School District per academic year. The project must be approved by the school principal or superintendent. Proposals providing scholarships or stipends to students to participate will not be considered. All applications must be signed to be considered. Applications will be accepted continuously during the school academic year. Grants are made only to 501 (c) (3) organizations or other tax-exempt organizations benefiting the citizens and communities of Tuscola County. Grants are made for a wide variety of charitable, community, scientific, literary, educational and cultural programs. Grants are not made for operating budgets, previously incurred debt, endowment campaigns or fundraising activities. Lower priority is given to requests for travel for groups such as school classes, clubs or sports teams. Grants are generally made for one year. Proposals for hospitals, schools, childcare services, nursing/retirement facilities, computers, motorized vehicles and tax-supported community services are considered when they are the type of project emphasized by the foundation fund(s), demonstrate substantial impact or address the needs of a significant or underserved portion of the community. Grants are not made to churches for sectarian religious programs.