Hamilton County Youth Organizations Have a Source of Funding for Community Service-Learning Projects
Youth organizations and groups in Hamilton County now have an opportunity to apply for grant funds to do service-learning projects or initiate other community service projects or programs over the course of the next few months. These new additional resources have been made available thru the Hamilton County YiP group. Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) is a new youth initiative to engage young people in providing grant funds designated from the Enhanced Hamilton County Foundation to assist with projects throughout Hamilton County, which are lead by, and benefit the youth in the county. The YiP members are a group of young people taking a leadership role in this initial year to develop the process, create the grant form, and select the grants to be awarded. The focus of the YiP program is to promote service learning, civic engagement of youth, and preparing future leaders in Hamilton County.
The main objectives of the YiP program are to give youth a voice and add something new and innovative to the community; provide support within the community for projects; finding ways to meet or address the needs of the community; youth impacting youth; and encouraging youth to get involved in ways they are able to give back to their community.
Youth groups can apply for grant funds through the YiP program. The money was allocated directly from the Enhanced Hamilton County Foundation specifically for this new youth leadership program. The grants will be reviewed and awarded by the youth serving as members of this group. If there are groups you lead, volunteer for, work with, or are a part of wanting to do a project to benefit the local communities within Hamilton County, and are interested in applying for these grant funds, the YiP program encourages you to submit an application. The YiP applications can be found on-line located within the Building Families website under “CAPP news” and look for “YiP Program”, or it can be accessed directly at “http://www.buildingfamilies.net/cappnews/yipprogram.html”.
Applications are due by February 15, 2012. Announcement of recipients will be identified by March 31st, 2012, and those granted funds will need to submit a final report to the YiP members by August 31, 2012. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tiffany Larson at the Building Families Office, 515-832-1791 (ext. 204) or tlarson@hamiltoncountymhsb.org. The YiP program is being overseen through a partnership of the Enhanced Hamilton County Foundation (EHCF), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Hamilton County 4-H Youth Development, Building Families Bee Inspired CAPP Program, and Community & Family Resources (CFR).
