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YEP Grantmaking Program

Welcome to the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) Grantmaking Program.

YEP grant applications become available December 1 and are due February 1. Agencies will be notified in June.

YEP was launched in August 2019 in order to engage youth in the Fox River Valley community in various areas of philanthropy, grantmaking, and volunteerism. Youth are inspired and develop leadership skills that they can use today and throughout their lives as they become our future leaders. This year’s YEP meetings will begin in October.

YEP Grant Program Guidelines

  • The YEP Program provides grants to verified nonprofit agencies in the Community Foundation’s service area. Schools, both private and public, including educational foundations, are not eligible to apply.
  • Eligible activities are programs and projects that are serving and/or benefit children and youth ages 0-22. Programs and projects that are youth-driven will be prioritized.
  • Due to limited funding for the grant program, applications are restricted to requests between a minimum of $500 – a maximum of $5,000.
  • YEP youth will review, evaluate, and award all grants with assistance from CFFRV staff. You may be asked to participate in an interview or site visit.
  • The YEP Grant program is a separate and unique program from the Discretionary Grantmaking Program, thus any organization can apply and receive funding from both programs.
  • YEP Grants are to be spent within a year of receipt of the grant. A final report will be required of all grantees.

 

If you have additional questions, please contact Jen Borgognoni at 331-208-9422 or jborgognoni@cffrv.org.

Create An Account & Apply For Grants

 

Past YEP Grantees

The following agencies have either been awarded full or partial funding for the capital grant requests listed below their names.

 

2021-2022

CASA Kane County
To provide gift cards, suitcases and incidentals for children

Equine Dreams
Circular Training Pen for therapy riding for youth

Marquee Youth Stage
Project Reach: Leadership in Arts program for youth

Hesed House
Move out assistance project for children and youth

TriCity Family Services
Eating Disorders Program for youth

YMCA
Safe n Sound Aurora program for youth

Conservation Foundation
Pollinator Garden for youth programs

 

2020-2021

360 Youth Services
To help serve teens who are experiencing homelessness through the Celebrate Youth program.

DuPage Children’s Museum
To help fund the CARE Program which allows underserved children and families to come to the museum.

Fox Valley Music Consortium
To help fund musical instruments for youth in the El Sistema Program.

Gigi’s Playhouse
To help fund the Destination Discovery Program.

Marklund Children’s Home
To help fund outdoor playground enhancements.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry
To help fund the Food 4 Students program at east Aurora High School.

Mutual Ground Inc.
To help fund supplies for the Youth and Family Services program.

Paramount Arts Centre
To help fund The Aurora Project through the Paramount School of the Arts.

STC Learn
To help fund academic support outside to work toward education equality.

TriCity Family Services
To help fund family-based treatment for eating disorders.

 

2019-2020

African American Men of Unity
To help fund the FIRE College and Career Program for at-risk youth

DuPage Children’s Museum
To help fund an immersive Tinkering Camp experience for area children

Fox Valley Food for Health
To help provide equipment and supplies so teen chef volunteers can safely prepare meals for clients

Fox Valley Music Consortium
To help fund musical instrument repairs for students from low-income, underserved families

Little Friends, Inc.
To support the purchase of new technology that provides greater connection and learning resources for children on the autism spectrum

Northern Illinois Food Bank
To help support the BackPack Program, which provides nourishing weekend meals to food-insecure children

The Bucket of Love
To help fund S.T.E.A.M.-centered educational resources so underserved youth can build a strong academic foundation

Wayside Cross Ministries
To help fund an academic enrichment and youth leadership program that serves at-risk youth through homework help and winter and summer camps

World Relief DuPage/Aurora
To help fund age-appropriate enrichment programs for young immigrants and refugees

Thank you very much for supporting my college education for these four years. I will never be able to repay you for the opportunity that this scholarship has given to me.

Julia H.

[Renewing Scholarship Recipient] Graduate of Hinkley-Big Rock High School

…you can always start small, even $25 can make a difference. Remember we can’t take our money with us. Even if it’s just your gift of time. Volunteer and get involved.

Cris Anderson

Cristina & Thomas S. Anderson Endowment Fund | Tom & Cris Anderson Colonial Advisory Fund

We chose the Community Foundation because of its reputation. It’s well known, established and we can trust them to do the job for us.

Dick Schindel

Richard and Susan Schindel Scholarship Funds

A community foundation is a donor-driven organization that helps donors custom-design funds that reflect their charitable interests. Through the years, grants from these funds have made a significant impact on our local communities.

Sharon Stredde

President Emeritus

There’s no question in my mind that the scholarship I received opened up possibilities.

Marianne Renner

Past Scholarship Recipient & Current Leadership Coach

As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!

Moises J.

Claude & Alice Allen Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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