The Youth in Philanthropy Initiative is a program designed to involve local youth leaders in philanthropy.  Juniors and seniors in high schools from across the city serve as the grant committee for distributing funds established through Youth in Philanthropy.

Youth in Philanthropy is an endowed fund established through the Omaha Community Foundation from the proceeds of the sale of 3-D eyeglasses at the 2000 Millennium Lights celebration on the Gene Leahy Mall.  A number of additional Omaha Community Foundation donors who support youth driven philanthropy also contribute to this fund.

Youth Leadership Omaha Ambassadors define the focus of the grant, determine review criteria, and select grant recipients.  These high school juniors and seniors have examined issues they believe are most important to the youth of our city, discussed what topics interest them, and researched those areas.  This effort helped the committee select "Teens Go Green" as the focus for the 2010 grants.

Any nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status located in the greater Omaha metropolitan area is eligible to apply.  Programs should be designed for youth.  Grant proposals must address innovative ways to motivate and educate teens to go green, which is defined as reducing, reusing and recycling.  Examples of this may include creative ways to educate youth using social media and technology, school groups that implement recycling programs, or youth produced videos that challenge teens to reduce their use of plastic bottles.

Successful applications must include all of the following components:

• Active involvement of young people in the design and implementation of the proposed program.  Programs should address youth in any grade K-12.
• Use of community or school based programs.  Partnerships are encouraged.
• Provision of matching funds, with a 1:1 match preferred.
• Sustainability of the program (as appropriate).

Available Funds:  The amount of money available to grant in 2010 is approximately $10,000.  Grant awards may be between $500 and $3,000.  It is anticipated that one to four grants will be made.

How to Apply:  Proposals were due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2010.  An application form is available for download below.  Completed proposals should be e-mailed to grants@omahafoundation.org.

Only complete applications with all requested information will be forwarded to the grant committee.  All proposals must include an application cover sheet, program narrative and budget summary.  Proposal narrative may not exceed three pages, excluding the cover sheet and budget pages.  A select number of applicants may be contacted for a site visit from the grant committee.

Additional contact, correspondence or site visits with Foundation staff and committee members, when necessary, will be conducted following preliminary review of proposals.  All those submitting applications will be notified approximately one week after the grant committee meeting as to the determination of funding.

For more information, contact Sarah Gilbert (sarah@omahafoundation.org).