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Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards
Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

 
    

In Youth We Trust Grant Program

The In Youth We Trust Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is dedicated to building a better community by supporting programs that empower youth to make a difference in our community.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency and/or organized group carrying out a charitable
    purpose for the public good
  • Be 19 years of age or younger
  • Propose a project that is planned and implemented by youth
  • Involve youth in every aspect of the grant process
  • Be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable anti-discrimination laws are violated
  • Be current on all final reports for grants from the Community Foundation; if your agency has a program currently being funded with a Community Foundation grant and your final report is not yet due, you must submit an interim letter letting us know the progress of your program (do not use the online final report form for this)

We Look For

The In Youth We Trust Grant Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois looks for projects that:

  • Expand collaboration between diverse groups within the community for the benefit of all
  • Demonstrate innovative solutions to significant community issues
  • Provide opportunities for youth to develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving,
    and project management
  • Empower youth to recognize and assume the vital problem-solving role they can play within the community
  • Have a clear, practical plan for implementation
  • Show support from other funding sources

Grant Cycle

The deadlines for submitting applications are February 1st and October 15th. Grants are awarded in April and December. The maximum grant awarded will be $2,500 per organization.

Only one proposal per organization per grant program will be funded within the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th).

Exceptions to this rule:

  • You are invited by a Grants Committee to resubmit an application in the following grant cycle.
  • Organizations participating in a collaborative may apply once a year as a member of the collaborative, and once as itself or as part of a second collaborative.

Applications are reviewed by the In Youth We Trust Advisory Council, a diverse group of 30 youth who will make grant recommendations. The Community Foundation's Board of Trustees approves all grant awards.

All grant recipients are required to submit a final report six months after receiving the grant. The report must address how grant funds were used and indicate project outcomes.

Exclusions

The Community Foundation does not make grants from its In Youth We Trust Fund for the following:

  • For-profit organizations
  • Adult-inspired and implemented youth programs
  • Salaries for adult advisors or coordinators
  • Projects and programs that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services. However, grants may be made to faith-based organizations for other purposes
  • Or to individuals

Online Application

Please Note:  As the Community Foundation strives for complete accuracy in its grant programs, we reserve the right to update grant application forms 60 days before the deadline.  Only applications started within 60 days of deadline will be accepted.  While you may browse the online application at any time, you are reminded to check your calendar before you begin filling out any grant application.

To start a new application, click New Application. 

To access an application that you chose to save and finish later, click Saved Application.

To access grant writing tips from the In Youth We Trust Advisory Council, click Grant Writing Tips.

Please Note: Your computer must use one of the following commonly used internet browsers and have cookies enabled in order to access the online application.

  • Internet Explorer version 5.5 SP-2 or higher

  • Netscape 6.2.2 or higher

  • Netscape Communicator 4.76 or higher

  • Internet Explorer 5.1.4 for Mac OS X

If you have questions, please call James Patterson, Program & Scholarship Officer at (815) 962-2110 ext 11.

  

In Youth We Trust Advisory Council

Did you know that the recommendations for In Youth We Trust grants are made by high school-aged youth? In Youth We Trust is a unique grant program that engages youth in philanthropy, grant making, community service and leadership.

 

To learn how you can become a member click here .