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Youth Philanthropy 

 
Former Youth Grantmaking Board members at an alumni reception hosted by The Seattle Foundation
 

The Seattle Foundation is building the next generation of philanthropists. We offer youth
the chance to learn about local issues and strategic grantmaking. For more information about youth philanthropy, please contact 
Philanthropic Services at (206) 515-2111 or philanthropicservices@seattlefoundation.org.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2013-14 YOUTH GRANTMAKING BOARD!
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Youth Grantmaking Board

The Youth Grantmaking Board (YGB) helps young people learn how philanthropy can create positive change in their community by giving them the opportunity to take the lead on all phases of grantmaking. Supported by Foundation staff and community experts, YGB members:

  • Identify and discuss critical community issues, learning from field experts
  • Select a grantmaking focus area
  • Develop a request for proposals
  • Evaluate funding requests from nonprofit organizations
  • Conduct site visits with potential grantees
  • Make funding recommendations to The Seattle Foundation Board of Trustees
The YGB runs from October through May, and applications are now available. Spaces are limited. The program is open to local high-school-aged youth with a priority given to current donor families.

Recent Grants

2012
Focus on preparing children from low-income and non-English-speaking households for kindergarten  2011
Focus on afterschool programs that support youth in tutoring, study prep, ELL programs and skill development

2010
Focus on mental health and academic support programs for foster care youth

2009

Focus on youth violence intervention programs

2008
Focus on the physical well-being of youth

2007
Focus on improving the home lives of King County youth who were at risk of homelessness and other major upheavals

Youth Grantmaking Alumni Board

In 2007 alumni from the inaugural Youth Grantmaking Alumni Board (YGAB) came together to learn about grant evaluation and impact assessment. Thanks to a generous donor, the group was given an opportunity to assess whether additional funds could have a positive impact on the work of the organizations they funded the previous year.

In 2008 the alumni group grew to 16 members, consisting of youth from the 2007 and 2008 YGBs. Through continued learning in grantmaking, impact and financial assessment, and public speaking and team skills, these alumni gain a deeper understanding of effective philanthropy. The goal of the YGAB is to continue engaging youth in grantmaking and community issues so that they will grow into thoughtful change-makers.

The 2010 Alumni Board awarded two grants to previous YGB grantees to support staff training around violence de-escalation:

History

The idea for a Youth Grantmaking Alumni Board grew from The Seattle Foundation’s successful one-on-one work with young philanthropists. Since 2006, The Seattle Foundation Youth Board Members have granted $120,000 to King County organizations.

View photos from the Seattle Youth Philanthropy Summit