By Devan Gagliardo – Program Director of the Community Foundation of Grundy County
Feb. 16, 2016
Last month I discussed the Community Foundation of Grundy County’s 2015 grant recipients, as well as our unrestricted grant process. I want to make everyone aware of a new grant program we have started.
In 2015 the Community Foundation began a Youth Philanthropy group in partnership with Seneca High School. This group of high school students was entrusted with $5,000 to grant out to area nonprofits. Several organizations were asked to present on their programming and provide details as to how they would use funds if they were a recipients.
After hearing presentations from the organizations, the Youth Philanthropy group decided to provide grants to We Care of Grundy County, Seneca Food Pantry, Youth Service Bureau of LaSalle County, and Pet Project Inc.
The group continues to meet this year; however, a few things have changed. The group does is now open to all Grundy County high schoolers, and will no longer consist of just Seneca High School students.
Another big change is the way decisions will be made regarding where to grant funds. Last year specific organizations were asked to present to the students based on the student’s interests; this year, there is a grant process and it is open to any 501c3 nonprofit.Although this year’s students have a particular interest in animals, mental health, the environment and feeding the hungry, all organizations are encouraged to apply. The application process is much like our unrestricted grant process, but there is a deadline for the Youth Philanthropy grant application.
All grants must be received no later than March 17. Information on our grant program can be found at cfgrundycounty.com. Grants can be sent via email ([email protected]) or mail (520 W. Illinois Ave. Morris, IL 60450), to the attention of Devan.
The Youth Philanthropy group was established to not only allow students the opportunity to give, but also to educate them on the organizations in their communities.
The students take this process seriously and would appreciate learning about your organizations and how they can potentially impact those you serve. For information, contact Devan by email or call 815-941-0852.
- Devan Gagliardo is the program director of the Community Foundation of Grundy County.
Copyright © 2018 Morris Herald-News. All rights reserved.