In Youth We Trust Grants

In Youth We Trust is a philanthropic initiative by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, designed to empower youth through grantmaking and leadership training. Since 1994, it has allocated over $500,000 to youth-led projects across Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties. This year, up to $40,000 will be available for community projects benefiting local youth, with two grant cycles focusing on proposals written by youth or nonprofit organizations. The program emphasizes collaboration, practical planning, and measurable outcomes.

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.
IYWT will have two grant cycles: one for proposals written by youth for youth-led, youth-benefiting projects , and one for proposals written by nonprofit organizations for the purpose of serving youth.
The Fall cycle for proposals will be for those written by youth The Spring cycle for proposals written by adult nonprofit organizations serving youth
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.
• Help youth recognize the important role they play within their communities.Have a clear, practical plan for implementation.
• Have a realistic budget.
• Have measurable and meaningful results.Youth projects should be carried out and completed in conjunction with the spring semester.
• Please visit this page to view details about the nonprofit (adult) In Youth We Trust grant cycle.

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.

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.