Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grant

Grants of up to $2,500 to Illinois nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations for projects and programs to benefit youth in eligible locations. Funding is intended for projects involving youth in the focus areas of community development, arts and culture, education, environment and animal welfare, and health and human services. Proposals should serve youth in DeKalb County.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, designed to encourage and develop the practice of philanthropy in young adults. YEP inspires a lifelong interest and a commitment to serving others in the community with a focus on youth impact.

YEP Grantmaking Priorities:

• Be a Youth Initiative
• Youth must be directly involved in the development and/or implementation of the project. Projects may occur in the areas of Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Environment & Animal Welfare, or Health & Human Services.
• Preference is given to innovative programs or projects.
• Preference is given to applications submitted by youth applicant or that show strong youth involvement in the project planning process.
• Respect Equitable Opportunity
• Projects must respect diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Preference is given to programs or projects that work to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion among youth in DeKalb County.
• Dedicated to Community (DeKalb County, IL)
• The project must be in response to a legitimate youth need or direct youth benefit in DeKalb County, IL.
• Have Accountability
• Applicants must have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and demonstrate a realistic plan with a clear set of goals.
• Applicants need to report any alterations of their project plans after submission of the application and the changes need to be approved by the YEP committee.
• Applicants should be willing to meet with YEP representatives either as part of the application process or for a site visit to evaluate the program or project.
• Demonstrate Promotion of the 40 Developmental Assets™
• The projects should be consistent with the YEP’s dedication to youth empowerment, promotion of youth leadership, and the strengthening of youth involvement as reflected in the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets™ framework. The grant application requires knowledge of the 40 Developmental Assets™. For more information, see the 40 Developmental Assets document in Supporting Documents below.