Youth Board Awards Grants to Youth

The Grants Advisory Board for Youth (GABY), comprised of local teens age 13 to 17, awarded grants totaling $11,550 to youth-led projects that benefit the community in a variety of ways.

Of the eleven funded projects, some supported high school clubs in the production of youth events focusing on the environment, health and fitness, tolerance among peers and multiculturalism.  Additional youth-led projects addressed community need through other organizations and included: building accessible garden beds for disabled students, dance, theatrical and visual art projects and offering tutoring and supplies to disadvantaged youth.

A project of the Placer Community Foundation, GABY members conducted extensive outreach at the start of the school year to make the community aware of the funding opportunity.  “The kids made presentations to their schools and to local community groups and actively pursued opportunities with the local media,” said Erin Stone, program coordinator for GABY.

By January, GABY had received 14 applications, each with a funding request of up to $1,500. GABY members carefully reviewed each proposal and met with all the applicants. They then presented their funding recommendations to the Placer Community Foundation’s Grants Committee.

“The committee was impressed by the thought and care GABY members put into each request,” said Ruth Burgess, Grants Committee Chairperson and board member for Placer Community Foundation. “They answered each question we threw their way and seemed to really appreciate the impact a few dollars could have on a specific cause or issue,” she stated.

When asked what they learned by serving on GABY, students cited personal gratification from giving back to their community, an overall awareness of local needs, the ability to hone in on their presentation skills and a renewed confidence that they can affect change.

The GABY program is made possible in Placer County through funding and technical assistance from the Placer Community Foundation, Placer Peer Court, Placer County, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation and the Sierra Health Foundation.

To learn more about grant programs for youth at the Placer Community Foundation and how you can support them, contact us.

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