Youth Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention Fund Grant

The Youth Unplanned Pregnancy Prevention Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland, aims to address the significant issue of teen pregnancy in the area, which ranks fifth highest in Maryland. With a focus on empowering parents and providing educational resources, this fund supports programs that target youth and unplanned pregnancies. Grants of $600 are suggested, but flexibility exists to accommodate varying needs, ensuring impactful community engagement in preventing teen pregnancy.

Community Foundation of Washington County Maryland
We are a local organization staffed by residents of the community and led by a board of trustees who have an in-depth knowledge of the issues that shape our County.
This Community Foundation was created by and for the people of Washington County MD, and exists to improve the quality of life for all of our citizens, now and for generations to come, by building community endowments, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.
Mission: To inspire, grow and steward philanthropy for the benefit of Washington County.
Why Care About Teen Pregnancy?
Washington County ranks as having the fifth highest teen birth rate in the State of Maryland. While Washington County's teen birth rates have shown dramatic improvement there is still much work to be done to impact this issue. Research findings strongly indicate that becoming a parent while an adolescent can have a negative impact on the lives of young mothers and fathers as well as on their children. The youthfulness of the parent affects their own economic, physical, and social status and that of their child.
Parents Influence
National organizations devoted to addressing the issue of teen births and unplanned pregnancies continue to stress that parents have a very important influence on whether their teenagers become pregnant or cause a pregnancy. Parents need to know that when it comes to young people's decisions about sex, their influence has not been lost to peers and popular culture. The parents are powerful and they can use this power in sound, helpful ways. Organizations or programs that offer educational seminars, workshops and printed materials that provide parents and other caregivers practical information about what they can do to help their children delay sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy are important in service provision in Washington County. A teenager, whether female or male, needs informed and caring help to make healthy choices about sex and relationships.
Funding
Suggested amount for the grant application is $600. However, requests for other amounts will not be disqualified. Organizations may apply for funding for more than one program; however, each program requires a separate grant application. Funds from this fund must be utilized for programming serving youth under the age of 20.

Eligibility

Grants will be directed to programs specifically targeting a decrease in youth and unplanned pregnancies and unsafe sexual practices.Applicant organizations must be based in and primarily serving Washington County, Maryland, and have a current 501(c) (3) determination from the IRS.