Youth Empowerment ProjectCreating and Sustaining a Youth-Oriented Grant Making ProgramBridget Dierks, Community Foundation of the OzarksThe deed is everything, the glory naught. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Americas Youth Hears ThisI want a brand new house On an episode of Cribs And a bathroom I can play baseball in. -Nickelback Rockstar

Whats a soup kitchen?- Paris Hilton

We must combat these messages with messages aboutphilanthropy!

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. Helen Keller

If we don't heal our own hood, who will? Nelly (Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr.)

Basic Concept of YEP

Youth Empowerment Projects are established with the purpose of creating grant making opportunities by young people for young people.

The focus is youth-driven philanthropy.

YEP Programs are created to..

Learn about the importance of local participation solving local problems.

Understand the challenges our communities are facing.

Raise and grant money to worthwhile organizations.

Get quality volunteer experience.

Some termsPhilanthropy care for the welfare of others, acted on through gifts of money, time, and resources.

Youth Empowerment Project a youth grant making program designed by students to raise and then grant money to youth-oriented programs in their local community (also known as Youth Philanthropy, Youth Grant Makers, etc).

YEP Grant money given by a youth granting organization to a nonprofit or a school entity to support a youth-oriented cause.

CFOs YEP Project

Three students from each Springfield school (public and private schools included).

Students are juniors and seniors.

Female and male students participate.

How can this translate to your community?

Establish a YEP Board of DirectorsSelect how many students will be on the YEP boardSelect how many from what grade levels will be involvedDetermine any applicant requirements (if any)Create a YEP board member applicationCreate a board member selection committee (students, teachers, principal, community leaders, etc)

Creating a Mission Statement

You need to decide how your YEP program will operate.

Develop a mission statement.eg: The mission of the Youth Empowerment Project is to empower youth to positively impact their community. This is accomplished through education, service, grant making, and fundraising.

Raising Funds for GrantsYou cant give out money if you dont have any money!

Soliciting funds

Using funds from your Community Betterment program or other organization that is willing to give you funds.

Fundraising

FundraisingEvent Fundraising

Contestsdream date nightraffle Talent Showcow pie bingoOther Eventmiddle school promcar washes5K runRegular participation in a fundraiser (eg: concession stand work, etc)

Developing an Endowed Fund

To sustain your YEP project, it is important to consider the power of an endowed fund. This fund would produce funds for grant making in perpetuity.

Endowed funds distribute approximately 5% of the funds total assets each year.

So a $10,000 fund will give you $500 a year for grants every year.

Create a Grant ApplicationPlease note the grant application example enclosed with your materials.

A Good Grant ApplicationA good grant application has several important thingsDescription of the organization applying for the grantDescription of the items to be purchased and their importance to the organizationCost of all items included (and evidence these item costs were researched)Contact information for questions during grant rounds.

Soliciting Grants

Share information of your potential grant programs.

What kinds of projects is your organization most interested in?

Who will you target?

Are you associated with a Foundation?

The Grant ProcessSelect a grant round date, then select a date 1-3 days previous for grant applications to be due.

Spend time on each grant application. Does this grant fit your YEPs purpose? Will this grant positively impact youth in your community?

Determine if all/some/none of the items requested will be fulfilled.

Grant Application Regrets

Please see the regret letter in your packet

Be kindExplain the $$money$$ circumstancesEncourage future submissions

Grant RecipientsPlease see the grant approval letter in your packet.

Congratulate Require acceptance of termsRequire a date for a final report from the organizationLet them know who receives the grant creditContact information

Grant Recipient Progress ReportPlease see the progress report in your packet.

The progress report is a way for you to determine if the organization spent your money in the ways they promised.

Big Check Time!Set up a time to present the real checkUse a big check for picturesTake a picture for the newspaper or your website

Press Releases and Media Alerts

Send a media alert before an event (like a fundraiser).

Send a press release to share information of an event that has passed (like a grant round).

YEP Regional Conference

CFO hosts an annual regional conference for YEP programs. Students share ideas on grant making, fundraising, and promotion in the community.

YEP organizations in the Ozarks area are invited.

Students at the 2006 Conference

Volunteering

Being a part of a YEP group is a great way to be aware of organizations that need volunteers.

Possible volunteer day with your youth empowerment programassist organizations you have or may grant funds to in order to see how their organization works.

Electing new YEP MembersCreate a selection committee made up of both exiting and returning YEP members

Distribute applications

Develop a selection processapplications only?interviews?recommendations required?

Break Time!Next series will be you developing your own ideas for your Youth grant making program.

Ten Minutes On

Creating a Mission Statement

Developing Standing Rules

Ten Minutes On

Recruiting and/or Selecting Potential YEP Members

Ten Minutes On

Fundraising

Ideas for Fundraising Events

Soliciting Funds

Ten Minutes On

Creating a Grant Application

Ten Minutes On

Selecting Grants

Creating a Regret Letter

Creating a Grant Award Letter

Creating a Progress Reporting System

Ten Minutes On

Creating a standard grant award press release

Creating an upcoming fundraising media alert

Thank you!

Bridget Dierksbdierks@cfozarks.org (417) 864-6199