The Erie County Community Foundation (ECCF) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) provides annual grant funding to support community projects that address a range of needs within Erie County, Ohio. The YAC is composed of 14 junior and senior students from seven area high schools who evaluate grant applications and allocate funding to support impactful projects. Funding for the YAC grant program comes from ECCF ($5,000 annually) and additional contributions from community partners, typically ranging between $4,000 and $6,000 per year.

The YAC grant program supports projects in diverse fields, including arts and humanities, community development, education, environmental initiatives, health and social services, and youth services. For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, priority areas include mental health, job training, childcare, youth programming, access to healthy food, environmental preservation (with a focus on Lake Erie’s waterways), senior citizen support, and animal welfare. Grants typically range from $250 to $2,000 and are awarded for one-year projects only.

Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. Churches, schools, universities, and government entities may also apply if they provide proof of inclusion in a group exemption. Funding is not provided for advertising, sponsorships, annual campaigns, debt reduction, political activities, religious purposes, or fundraising event tickets. Grants cannot be awarded directly to individuals; however, funding may be issued to a nonprofit organization on behalf of an individual for educational or health-related needs.

Applications must be submitted online via the Erie County Community Foundation website and received by email or mail no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 26, 2025. Incomplete, faxed, or late applications will not be considered. The application process requires a proposal narrative, a detailed budget form, and several attachments, including proof of tax-exempt status, financial statements, a mission statement, and a list of board members. Grant recipients may be required to provide additional information or documentation upon request.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report documenting how funds were used. While the YAC evaluates applications, it does not engage in discussions regarding funding decisions once applications are submitted. For additional assistance, applicants can contact Mollie Schaefer at 419-621-9690 or via email at MollieS@eriefoundation.org.