Yes. The Youth Grantmaking Board, or YGB, is indeed unique. It is an opportunity for youth to have an active leadership role in the granting of monetary awards to local organizations that do good in our community. The YGB entrusts teenagers with a huge responsibility: studying local problems, stewarding financial resources, and being part of the solution.

The board begins in March each year by studying philanthropy and local issues in order to develop a Call for Proposals, which they release to local non-profit organizations in May. After we receive proposals for funding, board members conduct site visits in June and ultimately decide which applicants to fund.

After funded projects have been completed, the board conducts impact assessments in the fall by developing standard metrics to evaluate success, conducts follow-up visits to see projects, and creates a written report form for grantees. Board members come to their own conclusions about how to define success.