Youth Endowment Fund Grant

The Youth Endowment Fund Grant, managed by the East Tennessee Foundation, supports innovative solutions to challenges faced by youth within a 25-county service area. Grants of up to $20,000 are available for projects focusing on early childhood education, health drivers, and the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to serving youth and adhere to non-discrimination policies. This initiative aims to foster stronger, healthier communities through impactful youth programming.

Supports creative solutions to problems that youth face in ETF’s 25-county service area.
Areas of Focus
Projects must specifically support youth in our 25-county service area and address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Early childhood educationDrivers of healthPrevention and/or mitigation of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Funding

Organizations can apply for an amount up to $20,000. Grants will be awarded for two-year terms.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must have and be able to provide documentation to verify the following:Confirmation that the organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity, unit of government , or educational institutionNew or emerging groups that do not have nonprofit status may apply if they have an established nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsorEmployee Identification Number (EIN)Legal name of organization, address and contact information (phone fax, email address)Primary contact person and titleList of staff administering the projectMost recent financial statements and/or most recent audit and/or IRS Form 990Current year operating budgetList of current board of directors or equivalent governing bodyConfirmation that the organization operates and is organized so as to not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, age, disability, covered veteran status, or other characteristics as identified in the Foundation’s Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.Additional eligibility criteria specific to Youth Endowment:
Applicant organizations must primarily function to serve children and youth or be an organization whose programs have demonstrated the ability to serve this population
Under special circumstances, grant will be made to institutions outside the Foundation’s 25-county service area for programs that are operated within or provide direct benefit to residents of the 25 counties

Ineligibility

The following types of requests will not be funded:Grants to individuals We are restricted by law and therefore unable to provide grants directly to individuals
Projects that have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, limit participation based on faith affiliation, or require participation in religious activities or services Debt retirement or budget deficits