Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grants

Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grants is a grantmaking program from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation in which a council of high school students from South Berrien and Cass Counties reviews and awards youth-focused grants. The council stewards a Youth Endowment generating approximately $23,000 annually to support programs benefiting young people in the community.

Larger grants go to nonprofits serving youth in south Berrien and Cass Counties, while Youth-Led Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available for youth-written, youth-led projects. Eligible grant recipients include nonprofits serving youth in the region; eligible mini-grant applicants are student teams with projects benefiting youth in southern Berrien and Cass Counties.

YAC members gain hands-on philanthropy, leadership, and community engagement experience as part of their participation.

About 5 — Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council (YAC) We are targeting students who are one or more of the following: Going into or currently attending 9th or 10th grade this fall Attending High Schools in South Berrien or Cass County including Buchanan, Niles, Brandywine, Ross Beatty (Cassopolis), Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, and Marcellus School districts Students who bring a unique perspective and/or represent diverse populations due to life experiences, racial/ethnic background, LGBTQ+, disability, socioeconomic status, etc. We are looking for students who could be profoundly impacted by the YAC experience, not those just looking for another thing to add to an already full resume.

Students will need to be committed and engaged and have reliable transportation to monthly meetings and events. 2025-2026 YAC Member Application The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of high school students from South Berrien and Cass Counties who help shape youth-focused philanthropy in our community.

Council members assess local youth needs, review grant applications, and advise Michigan Gateway Community Foundation on youth grant awards. YAC members steward a Youth Endowment that generates approximately $23,000 each year to support programs benefiting young people. This endowment was made possible through a matching grant from the Kellogg Foundation and the generosity of hundreds of local donors.

Through their grantmaking, YAC has brought enrichment programs into schools, supported youth outreach efforts, and strengthened youth-serving organizations across the community. Members also gain hands-on experience by conducting youth needs assessments, participating in leadership training, attending the state YAC conference, and engaging in local service activities.

Participation in the Youth Advisory Council provides students with valuable leadership experience and prepares them for future roles as community leaders. Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Priorities Areas The Youth Advisory Council focuses its resources on specific areas based on the YAC needs assessment that is completed every few years. The next needs assessment will be completed in 2023 for the 2022-23 school year.

To learn more about the needs assessment, click below: Youth Advisory Council Mini-Grants Up to $500 for youth-written, youth-led projects in southern Berrien and Cass Counties The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation invites students to apply for Youth-Led Mini-Grants —small grants designed to support student ideas that make a positive difference for young people in our community.

These grants empower youth to turn their ideas into action while learning about leadership, community service, and philanthropy. All projects must be written and led by students and benefit youth in southern Berrien and Cass Counties .

Funded projects must focus on improving the lives of young people Projects most likely to be funded will: Encourage youth to improve themselves, their school, or their community Provide a service to others Address a need affecting young people Project ideas may include: Organizing a school or community event Starting a volunteer or service project Creating a classroom, club, or student council initiative Developing a project that promotes academic success or student engagement Creativity is encouraged!

Students must be actively involved in planning the project and writing the application .

Any student or group of students Applications may come from classrooms, clubs, school groups, or extracurricular activities All applications must be: Written and submitted by students Co-signed by a teacher or adult advisor and the building principal Teachers may assist students with writing the application or complete it on their behalf following a class discussion. Each project must include a simple way to measure success.

Funded projects will be asked to submit: Reports are due by May 2025 .

Application deadline: November 1, 2025 All applications are reviewed by the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) YAC recommends projects for approval to the MGCF Board of Trustees Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by the end of November 2025 Download the YAC Mini-Grant Application Completed applications may be: Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council Advisor The Youth-Led Mini-Grant Program is designed to introduce students to the role of a community foundation —an organization that invests charitable gifts and uses the earnings to support local needs.

Teachers are encouraged to discuss concepts such as grants, grant proposals, and budgets to help students understand how youth leadership and community philanthropy work together. Click here for more details