The Shirley Smith Youth Service Fund, administered by the Adams County Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to young people aged 14-24 in the greater Adams County region for service projects and mission work. The objective of the fund is to cover up to 75% of the cost associated with these projects, enabling youth to engage in meaningful service activities locally, nationally, or internationally. Eligible projects are overseen by churches, schools, or nonprofits and are expected to contribute positively to people, animals, or communities.

Youth can participate in projects through a wide range of organizations, such as youth groups, scouting programs, 4-H, or educational institutions like high schools and colleges. Service projects might be conducted in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters, veterinary facilities, or other community spaces. The fund supports humanitarian outreach, disaster relief, and service on mission teams. In addition to project-based funding, grants can also be awarded for training seminars or conferences aimed at equipping youth for service.

To apply for the Shirley Smith Youth Service Fund, applicants must submit a completed application, which includes information about the sponsoring nonprofit organization, a detailed project description, the applicant's motivation for involvement, the total project cost, and a plan for raising the 25% of the project cost for which the applicant is responsible. Grants will only be awarded once the applicant has secured this portion of funding through other sources. The Fund is intended as a "last dollar" resource, meaning it will contribute only after other funding efforts have been made.

Applications are reviewed quarterly by the fund’s committee, and awards are made to the sponsoring nonprofit organization rather than directly to the individual applicant. The timeline for applications and decisions is as follows:

- Applications received January 1 – March 31 will be decided by May 1.
- Applications received April 1 – June 30 will be decided by August 1.
- Applications received July 1 – September 30 will be decided by November 1.
- Applications received October 1 – December 31 will be decided by February 1.

Completed applications should be mailed to the Adams County Community Foundation at their office located at 25 South 4th Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325. For more information and access to the application form, applicants are encouraged to visit the foundation’s website or contact the foundation directly.