Grant season at the Community Foundation allows many area organizations to capitalize on funding. The Community Service Grants Committee is meeting now to discuss 2007 applicants, that Karl Peterson Grants Committee will meet very soon, and the Field of Interest Grants Committee meets monthly to determine those projects, which are in most need of assistance. However, there is another segment of the community that has their day in the grant spotlight being area youth. Therefore, the Community Foundation is pleased to offer the seventh straight year of the Kids First Mini-Grants program, with a deadline for 2007 application of February 28^th.

 

The intent of the Kids First Mini-Grants program is to help local youth by providing grant monies for youth-initiated projects, which promote community involvement. Over the seven-year span of the Kids First Mini-Grants program, over $100,000 in grant monies has been awarded to area youth projects and organizations.

 

As in years past, priority will be given to grassroots projects initiated, designed and managed by youth. Any area youth group may apply, but an adult advisor is required. Mini-Grant awards range from $100 to $500, and arrangements must be made with a non-profit organization (such as a school, church or township) to receive the award. Funds will be awarded to the non-profit, which will pass it on to the youth group. The organization that receives the grant on behalf of the applicant is referred to as the Fiscal Agent. Additionally, the Community Foundation will only accept applications from South County organizations. 

 

A specific timeline for the Kids First Mini-Grants process is as follows: 1) Applications are due on February 28, 2007; 2) The selection committee will review the grant requests from March 1^st to March 31^st; 3) The selection committee meets and makes recommendations on the awards from April 1^st to April 15^th; 4) Announcement of awards takes place by May 1^st. 

 

While most CRCF grant committees consist of adults, an interesting aspect of the Kids First Mini-Grants program is that all grants are reviewed and selected by youth. The Community Foundation’s affiliate youth council, known as the Community Conscious Youth (CCY), serves as the selection committee with this group comprised of students from Jamestown, Southwestern, Maple Grove, and Falconer High Schools. This peer-to-peer review provides a unique, youth perspective on the grants being submitted. In many cases, this perspective allows the CCY to address issues that adults might not realize nor think about when reviewing youth-related grants. There are adult advisors to the CCY; but, ultimately, the decision lies in the hands of the CCY members as to who does or does not receive funding.

 

Helping youth grow is what this grant process is all about, so take some time to apply for a Kids First Mini-Grant. To do so, visit the Community Foundation’s website at www.crcfonline.org or call the Foundation staff at 661-3390 to acquire the proper application form. Remember to have your grant applications submitted by the February 28^th deadline. The more youth development that takes place now serves to benefit the Chautauqua County later. Utilizing Kids First Mini-Grants can assist in this development.