Empower Your Voice and Make a Real Impact!
Get Involved Today!
A leadership opportunity for high school students—and a meaningful way to invest in our community’s future.
For Donors & Community Supporters:
- Invest directly in youth leadership and civic engagement
- Support hands‑on learning in philanthropy and grantmaking
- Empower young people to address local needs and priorities
- Strengthen the future of our region by developing informed, engaged leaders
- Funds support youth‑led grantmaking for local youth‑serving organizations
For Students
- Serve on a real Youth in Philanthropy Advisory Board
- Learn how philanthropy and community foundations work
- Help decide where real grant dollars go to support local youth
- Build leadership, decision‑making, and nonprofit evaluation skills
- Connect with community leaders and changemakers
- Open to students in grades 9–12 across the Greater Itasca Area
Apply online or print the application and mail it to:
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, 350 NW 1st Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Who Should Apply?
Students who are curious, motivated, and community-minded are encouraged to apply.
Ideal candidates:
- Will be in grades 9–12 for the 2026–27 school year at the following area schools:
- Grand Rapids High School
- Greenway High School
- Bigfork High School
- Deer River High School
- Hill City High School
- Nashwauk-Keewatin High School
- Northland High School
- Have an interest in leadership, community impact, or nonprofits
- Want to understand how philanthropy works
- Are able to attend required meetings throughout the year
Timeline:
- Applications Open: May 1 – June 15, 2026
- Cohort Announced: Early August 2026
- Public Introduction: Sparks of Change Celebration – September 24, 2026
- Program Duration: September 2026 – May 2027
Apply online or print the application and mail it to:
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, 350 NW 1st Ave, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Program Overview
Students will gain hands-on experience in leadership, nonprofit evaluation, and grantmaking through a series of 3–4 required meetings throughout the year, along with optional enrichment opportunities. These meetings are designed to mirror the real work of a community foundation—from learning the system to making funding decisions. All meetings will be held outside of school hours in September, November, January, and April.
Youth Board Members Will:
- Learn how community foundations operate and support local needs
- Explore community issues affecting youth in the Greater Itasca Area
- Observe and learn from the Foundation’s grantmaking process
- Help define funding priorities and criteria for Youth in Philanthropy grants
- Review grant applications from local organizations
- Participate in the decision-making process to allocate funding
- Connect with nonprofit leaders, financial professionals, and community changemakers
