Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF)

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)

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.

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.