Youth Advisory Committee
In 2018, the Fairfield County Foundation established its first Youth Advisory Committee to empower Fairfield County high school students through leadership and community service. Members gain real-world experience in overseeing financial and human resource components of a new grant cycle for youth projects.
The first committee meeting launched in December 2018 with meetings scheduled throughout the year. Discussion themes have included the fundamentals of philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and grant processes. Each meeting will focus on topics directly related to philanthropy.
Juniors and seniors from schools across Fairfield County make up the 22-person committee. All 11 high schools in Fairfield County are asked to have representation each year. Students typically serve for two years, starting their junior year. Committee members are chosen by the Foundation based on recommendation of high school counselors.
The Youth Advisory Committee and the Foundation’s Board of Trustees launched the first Youth Project Grant Cycle with $10,000 to support youth efforts in Fairfield County. The committee managed submission reviews, completed site visits, and made recommendations to the Board of Trustees. After five years the Youth Advisory Committee has awarded 45 grants totaling more than $62,500. A complete list of awards granted can be viewed here.
If you are a 501(c)(3) serving Fairfield County with a youth-related project, you can review the guidelines and application below. The next application cycle will open January 1, 2024 with a deadline of January 31, 2024. Final grant award decisions will be made by the beginning of April.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Senior Program Officer, Abby King, at aking@fairfieldcountyfoundation.org or Program Officer, Andrea Spires at aspires@fairfieldcountyfoundation.org, or by phone at 740-654-8451.
Youth Advisory Committee Grant Application - This is a sample application to preview. The application MUST be filled out and submitted through the online grant system.