Grantmaking is the primary focus of most YACs and allows the YAC to play a major role in the community. However, with the great amount of power YACs have, comes a grave responsibility to make grants in a consistent and effective manner. The Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee recommends that each YAC engage in a grantmaking process that is responsive to the critical issues in the youth in their community annually and that the YAC evaluate the effectiveness of each grant they award.
Grantmaking Overview – An excerpt from “Guidelines and Resources for Establishing a YAC,” this document provides valuable background information about youth grantmaking.
Request for Proposals – A resource from the Charlevoix County this press release demonstrates one method of announcing a new grant cycle to the community.
Grant Application – This resource, provided by the Wyoming Community Foundation, incorporates a request for proposals and a grant application.
Grant Application – Courtesy of the Capital Region Community Foundation, this detailed grant application outlines what is required to complete an application for funding, though the final application must be completed online.
Grant Application – A resource of the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee, this grant application provides a basic form and narrative outline for grantseekers.
Grant Award Letter – Developed by the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee, this resource is a sample letter that can be used to notify grant recipients of their award.
Grant Denial Letter – This resource, authored by the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee, is a sample letter that can be used to notify grant applicants that they will not receive funding.
Grant Agreement – A resource from the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee, this document provides sample language for a grant agreement between a YAC and a grant recipient.
Grant Review Guidelines – Courtesy of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, this resource outlines standards for YAC members to keep in mind when reviewing grant applications.
Grant Review Guidelines – A tool of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, this document provides general information about grantmaking and ethics and outlines a rating scale that can be used in evaluating grant proposals.
Grant Interview Guidelines – Designed by the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, this resource outlines basic principles and ideas to keep in mind when interviewing a grant applicant.
Grant Review Matrix – A tool from the Branch County Community Foundation, this matrix allows a YAC to list all grant applications on one page and award points based on pre-defined criteria and tally points to determine which grants to fund.
Grant Screening Sheet – Courtesy of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, this resource can be used to evaluate grants using a point-rating system, while also incorporating less quantifiable factors.
Project Evaluation Form – A resource from the Community Foundation of Saint Clair County, this form provides a clear outline for a grantee to submit a follow-up and evaluation report about their project to the YAC.
Grant Follow-up Report – Designed by the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project Committee, this document provides a basic outline for a follow-up and evaluation report that a grantee would submit to the YAC at the end of the grant period.
Grant Follow-up Report Review Form – A resource developed by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, this form allows YAC members to easily review a grant follow-up report and confirm that all necessary information has been reported.
Site Visit Evaluation Form – Designed by the Community Foundation for Delta County, this form provides YACers with an easy-to-use resource for evaluating site visits.
Mini-Grant Application – A resource from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, this mini-grant application explains the mini-grant process and uses a PDF form fillable grant application.
Mini-Grant Application – Courtesy of the Community Foundation of Saint Clair County, this two-page mini-grant application is designed specifically for mini-grant programs that target schools.
Mini-Grant Ideas for Teachers – Developed by the Capital Region Community Foundation, this resource provides ideas for teachers who are applying for mini-grants.
Mini-Grant Guidelines – A resource from the Community Foundation of Saint Clair County, this document provides general information, including qualifications and deadlines, about applying for a mini-grant.
Mini-Grant Follow-up – Provided by the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, this resource is similar to the grant follow-up report, but is designed specifically for mini-grant programs.
Proposals: How to Separate the Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Dr. Joel J. Orosz, a former programming director on the philanthropy and volunteerism programming team delivered a keynote address at the Council of Michigan Foundations 23rd Annual Conference. His speech outlined 12 core principles to effective grantmaking.
