They are local young people who want to make a real difference in their community. There is a YAC in every county in the Foundation's service area (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Presque Isle).

Every grant comes from the Kellogg Youth Endowment Funds held at the foundation. These funds are permanently endowed, creating annual income every year - forever - to be used for youth grantmaking. Our YACs review grant applications and decide where the money goes. As the fund grows through private donations and investment income, our YACs can award more, and larger grants.

Local nonprofits. YAC grants support a large number of nonprofits including the Boys and Girls Club of Genessee Cpounty, United Way of Genessee County our local schools, Child and Family Services of Genessee County, 

Catholic Human Services, local robotics teams, children's advocacy centers, local libraries and so much more. Projects that give our children warm clothing for winter, food to hungry kids and families.

Support and protect abused or neglected children, provide unique educational and recreational opportunities, keep arts programs in schools, and more are all supported by our YACs. Every grant stays local to benefit programs that affect youth in our communities.

All Youth Advisory Council grants go through a competitive application process. Nonprofits apply for grants, which are then vetted through the Community Foundation office. 

Those applications get reviewed by our Youth Advisory Councils. Depending on the size of the grant request, applicants are required to give a presentation to the YAC members about their project. YACs review, discuss and deliberate on all of the applications coming to a consensus on the grant recommendations. 

YACers decide whether a grant is funded or not, and at what level. Their decisions are based on the application, presentation, dollars available for granting, number of youth affected, and how the project aligns with the top ten youth issues identified in their youth needs assessment. The YAC's grant recommendations then go to the Community Foundation Board of Trustees for final approval. Grants to nonprofits are paid upon completion of their project, ensuring that the YAC's grants are used for their intended purposes.

Our YACs often follow up with grantees through site visits to their projects, and sometimes provide volunteer support for grantee projects where needed.

YACs are open to youth ages 12 to 21 in our service area who are interested in making a difference in their youth community through grantmaking and service. The opportunities to gain leadership skills and to see first-hand the role charitable giving can have in their communities abound with the YAC program. Interested students can fill out the membership application.

MEMBERSHP APPLICATION