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About Youth as Resources (YAR)

1. 2.

1. Students at Arlington Elementary made blankets for families at the Charis House.

2. Arlington Elementary 5th graders published a book that gives advice on issues for elementary age youth

Youth in Fort Wayne planted a garden and donated the proceeds to Burmese refugees, the elderly, and other families in need.

Youth as Resources challenges youth to identify community needs and to use their skills, creativity and energy to make Allen County a better place. Youth as Resources works with youth to encourage their self-direction and assumes all youth are capable of meaningful contribution.

Outcome Goals

To empower the youth of Allen County to plan and implement service projects to meet a community need
To recognize and promote youth as volunteers
To educate youth to become philanthropists
To foster youth-adult partnerships

Grant Cycle Calendar

YAR Grant Applications Available Oct. 1
YAR Grant Application Due January 31
YAR Grant Presentations February

Application Criteria

The applying organization should be a non-profit organization and show proof of status.
Projects funded by YAR are those done by youth and not by agencies for youth.
The proposed project should be youth-generated.
Youth must be involved in every part of the project—planning, developing a budget, writing the proposal, executing and evaluating the project.
There should be high visibility of youth working on the project and if possible, media coverage.
Youth provide direct community service that meets a community need.

The grant application should include:

Goals and objectives for the project.
A detailed budget: Everything needed to complete the project should be included. Monies may not be used for stipends, salaries, or the purchase of equipment such as VCRs.
Not more than 25% of the amount requested may be used for training or workshops. Reasonable recognition and a form of appreciation for the volunteer work done by the youth may be included, such as T-shirts, food, or certificates.
A timeline that allows the project to be completed within six months of the grant allocation.
A clear statement of youth and adult responsibilities for the project.

Additional Considerations:

Two groups may collaborate and work together on a project.
All grants that meet the requirements are considered on an equal basis.

Submission of a grant that meets all the requirements does not guarantee funding. The decision to fund or not to fund, or to adjust funding in certain areas, is made by the Youth As Resources Grants Council. Consideration is given to the range and diversity of all the projects, the number of requests received, and the amount of grant monies available.