Youth Council Grants

Program Focus: Grants to area youth-serving organizations

Mission: Promote leadership and philanthropy among young people; support local organizations serving youth

Geographic Scope: Watertown area, Wisconsin

Council Structure:

• Student-led grant-making body
• Members are high school students (typically juniors and seniors)
• Members visit local nonprofits, host discussions with community leaders, learn professional skills
• Perform annual community SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis

Program History:

• Has awarded $162,000+ in grants over more than 20 years
• 60+ students have served on the council

2024 Awards (8 organizations, $10,064.11 total):

• Beacon Center: $592.73 (toys/car seats)
• Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton: $2,000 (Dawg Dayz of Summer)
• East-Central CASA: $1,022 (support for children/families)
• Friends of the Goss Opera House: $2,000 (Passport to the Arts)
• Joy Ranch of South Dakota: $1,662 (Sioux tipis)
• Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation: $788.38 (therapy activities)
• Watertown Area PACH: $2,000 (food distribution)
• Watertown Cares: $2,000 (shelter items)

2023 Awards (10 organizations, $14,000+ total):

• 4 The Kids: $500
• Community Transit: $2,000
• Coteau Prairie Master Gardeners: $250
• East-Central CASA: $606
• Fallout Shelter Ministries: $1,000
• Friends of the Goss Opera House: $2,500
• Joy Ranch of South Dakota: $375
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace: $4,400
• Watertown Area PACH: $3,319

Contact:

• Watertown Area Community Foundation
• 211 East Kemp Avenue, PO Box 116
• Watertown, SD 57201
• Phone: 605.882.3731
• Email: development@watertowncommunityfoundation.org