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Foundation Annual Grants for Youth ProgramsYouth Leadership GrantsCommunity Services GrantsSocial Justice Grants
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Funding Amount

Up to $10,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF)

Overview: A youth-led grant program that empowers young people to incite change within their communities in the San Francisco and Bay Area. YEF has been operating since 2010 and has awarded millions of dollars to youth-initiated projects.

Geographic Scope: San Francisco and Bay Area

Key Features:

  • Award Amount: Grants up to $10,000 for youth projects

  • Target Population: Youth from middle school and up

  • Program Structure: Youth-for-youth model where high school-aged "Community Funders" (Y staff) review and approve grants from peer applicants

  • Community Funders: Young high school students work 2 hours, 2 days per week reviewing grant proposals and supporting grantees

    • Focus Areas:

  • Community improvement projects

  • Social justice and advocacy initiatives

  • Youth-led civic engagement

  • Cultural and structural change initiatives

  • Projects that improve lives of many and/or have positive impact on youth

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • Grantees must work with another business, company, or non-profit that assists their project goals

  • Ideas should build momentum, improve lives, and/or have positive community impact

    • Program Management:

  • Funding Source: DCYF (Department of Children, Youth and Families)

  • Location: Urban Services YMCA

  • Key Staff: Patrick Miller (Teen Programs Director) and Jessica Kravin (Program Director)

    • Contact: YMCA of Greater San Francisco, 169 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

    Examples of Funded Projects:

  • BEYOND SLAY: Female youth summit on healing from sexual assault

  • School repainting projects

  • PACA (Provide Advocacy and Care for All): Youth-led civic engagement advocacy group

  • Emergency supply distribution (masks during COVID-19)

    • Additional Information: Community Funders track grantee progress throughout the year, host events, and provide training to engage participants.

    How to Apply

    Application Process for YEF

    Overview: Applications are solicited through a community call process. Community Funders recruit youth grantees through their networks and communities.

    Key Steps:
    1. Community Outreach: Community Funders engage friends and networks online to identify youth with project ideas for community change
    2. Project Presentation: Applicants present their ideas to the Community Funders
    3. Review and Approval: Community Funders (peer youth) decide how to distribute mini-grants based on project merit
    4. Partnership Requirement: Grantees must identify and partner with another business, company, or non-profit to assist with project goals
    5. Progress Tracking: Once funded, grantees work with Community Funders throughout the year on project implementation

    Required Elements:

  • Clear project idea that affects the community

  • Identified community partner (business, company, or non-profit)

  • Commitment to work with Community Funders on progress tracking

    • Note: Specific application forms, deadlines, and detailed submission instructions are not provided in available materials. Contact the program directly for current application details.

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-programsyouth-leadershipcommunity-servicessocial-justice

    Categories

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