Youth Grant Committee
Youth Grant Committee supports community organizations developing youth-serving programs in Greater Grand Rapids to address student-identified needs, advance equity, and strengthen youth leadership.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now open for Youth Grant Committee funding for programs benefiting youth in Greater Grand Rapids; apply online before 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 8, 2027.
Funder: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Due Dates: January 8, 2027, at 9:00 a.m. (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Typically $1,000–$5,000 per award (average $3,000); up to $50,000 available
Summary: Supports youth-serving programs in Greater Grand Rapids that address student-identified needs, advance equity, and build youth leadership.
Key Information: Youth should help plan and implement projects; participation and pre/post surveys alone are insufficient.
Description
Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee supports community organizations enhancing or implementing youth-serving programs in Kent County. High school students from public, private, and home-school settings guide the grantmaking process, assess local youth issues, interview applicants, conduct site visits, and award grants. The program particularly favors unique, creative, well-defined projects that address racial, social, and economic justice and demonstrate equitable community impact.
Current priorities reflect a 2024 needs assessment of Kent County students. Supported approaches may include life skills, college preparation, employment training and internships, arts activities, non-school-based competitive sports, mental health resources, and tutoring. These examples are not exhaustive: the committee welcomes creative responses to identified needs, especially programs that enable young people to co-create and co-implement activities.
