Frequently Asked Questions
What is Youth as Resources (YAR)?
Youth as Resources is a program of Leadership Fort Wayne that works with youth to encourage their self-direction and assumes all youth are capable of meaningful contribution. YAR challenges youth to identify community needs and to use their skills, creativity, and energy to make Allen County a better place by awarding grants, ranging from $100 to $750, to youth groups to perform community service projects. These projects must be planned and implemented by youth from Allen County, with adults acting as partners.
How does a youth group apply for a YAR Grant?
YAR project applications are available in October to local area youth groups and are due in the Leadership Fort Wayne office by January 31. Applications can be mailed and are also available on the website.
What happens after a youth group submits a YAR application?
Youth applicants are required to attend a grant presentation evening in February where they explain their service project proposal to the Youth as Resources Grants Council. Only youth can be involved in the presentation. Adults may attend, but are not allowed to speak. The majority of the Grants Council is composed of high school youth, with adults mentors. The Grants Council makes the final grant award decision.
For what can the grant money be used?
- Meeting expenses for youth to plan the project
- Supplies and materials needed for the project
- Transportation to project sites
- Training directly related to the service project
- Volunteer recognition
- Conferences (only if the sponsoring youth group pays half the cost and only if the participants can show how they will use what they learn to meet grant outcome goals.)
For what can the grant money NOT be used?
- Staff salaries or youth wages
- Major equipment purchases
- Projects conducted outside of Allen County
- Religious instruction or conduction of worship services
- Operational or other expenses of the sponsoring organization
- Fund-raising or direct donations to other organizations (This includes buying items to be sold to raise money to be given to another organization or buying items to be donated directly to an organization without any other service involved. i.e. buying cans to be donated to the food bank; or clothing to be donated to a clothing bank)