COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Community Foundation ‘s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will be accepting grant applications from January 1 to January 31 for the Youth Project Fund for Branch County and Colon areas. The Youth Project Fund supports projects designed to address important youth issues in our communities with a focus in 2015 on youth activities and entertainment, drug prevention, and prevention of bullying. YAC members will review proposals and make recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors in April 2016.
Projects must meet at least one of the criteria including: the applicant organization has youth on the governing board, youth serve on the applicant organization’s standing committees or advisory committee was formed to seek input for this project, youth assisted in the writing of the grant application for the project, and/or youth had input on the project design. Full details of the criteria for the grant can be found at www.BrCoFoundation.org. Organizations interested in applying for a grant can call the office or e-mail info@brcofoundation.org for a copy of the grant application or retrieve a copy online.
Since its inception the Branch County Community Foundation’s Youth Project Fund has granted over $400,000 to organizations in Branch County and Colon areas. In 2015, the Youth Advisory Council has granted over $14,000 in grants including Making it Cool to be Kind program for Bronson Community Schools, MSU Friends’ Health Day Camp, Civil War Days, and programs through the Coldwater Recreation Department.
YAC seeks to identify and address youth issues in the community and is dedicated to effective fund development, and youth empowerment, and grantmaking. Anyone ages 12-21 is welcome to apply for YAC membership. The only criteria are commitment to attending meetings and participating in YAC events and a love for and desire to serve your community. YAC meetings are held monthly.
Those interested in applying can visit BCCF’s website www.brcofoundation.org and click on the YAC tab to retrieve a copy of the application. Branch County and Colon youth are welcome to apply. Applications are accepted from January 1 until March 31 each year. For more information about becoming a member of YAC, contact Daniela Angevine at 517.278.4517 or at by emailing YAC@brcofoundation.org
The Branch County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization and a nationally accredited and state-certified community grant making foundation that serves communities in Branch County and Colon, Michigan by supporting charitable giving, building permanent endowments, and connecting community resources. More information can be found on the web at www.brcofoundation.org or by calling 517-278-4517.