2024 Youth Grantmaking Project: Call for Applications

December 2, 2024

YOUTH GRANTMAKING PROJECT

In 2024, the Snow-Redfern Foundation (SRF) partnered with several organizations in the Nebraska panhandle to establish a youth participatory grantmaking project in Box Butte County (BBC). This approach to philanthropy is intended to redistribute decision-making to the community, recognizing local people best understand local needs.


SRF believes in the potential of all young people and seeks to elevate youth voice in decisions about systems of care that serve them. One framework for this is known as a Giving Circle, in which local community members (adults and youth) collaborate to award funding that serves their community.

This grant opportunity is the BBC Giving Circle pilot, and SRF has committed $30,000 total over two grant cycles ($15k each): one launching in late 2024 and the other in early 2025. The BBC Giving Circle will make determinations about the funding, with support from SRF and the Panhandle Public Health District.

We care more about people than paperwork and seek to minimize the burden with an initial Grant Interest Form – CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Special thanks to the Panhandle Public Health District, Alliance Recreation Center and the UNL-Nebraska Extension for co-creating this effort and supporting youth engagement.

ABOUT THE FUNDING

Box Butte Focus:

The funding MUST be used to support youth residing in Box Butte County. This could be a youth led project of their own creation, providing services or programs for youth, improve existing initiatives, or supporting opportunities that help youth thrive.

Funding can also be used to enhance organizational capacity for
youth inclusion and youth leadership.

Youth Participation:

Youth involvement in project planning is strongly encouraged.
Applications with youth inclusion will be prioritized for funding.

$15,000 Available Funding:

Grant proposals may be submitted for initiatives up to $5k (Mini-Grant), $10k (Small Grant) or $15k (Medium Grant). Nonprofit organizations can submit up to three applications. The BBC Giving Circle will determine the total number of grant
awards based upon submissions; which could mean multiple smaller awards or one larger award.

One-Year Grant:

This is a 1-year grant for the 2025 calendar year. A second grant opportunity will be released in spring 2025, and organizations can reapply for the same or new initiatives.

Flexible Funding:

Funding should be expended by the end of the grant term, but carry-over is allowed. Funding is flexible and can be utilized for most typical project costs, programs and operations (within the standard state and federal guidelines). No capital purchases.

Application & Award Process:

A brief Grant Interest Form is due by Friday, December 13, 2024.Submissions will be reviewed by December 31st by the BBC Giving Circle. Organizations selected for funding will be notified by January 15th, 2025; with a grant award affirmed by January 30th.

Grants Management Process:

New grantees will be required to submit a brief project outline and basic budget. (We can provide these forms OR you can submit in a template of your own.) Funding distribution and project reporting can be co-created to best support the project and minimize operational burden. We prefer less paperwork and more empowered people!

Grant Applications are due on December 13, 2024, so apply today!