Northfield YouthBank

For Youth, By Youth

YouthBank is an innovative youth philanthropy program in which a team of trained youth grant-makers award funds to youth-led projects that will improve the quality of life in Northfield.

Do you have an idea that could benefit Northfield youth?

If so, YouthBank can help make that happen with a grant of up to $10,000!

The YouthBank Grant Round is Now Open!

This fall we have chosen to focus on supporting grants that address:

Improving the mental, physical and/or social health of Northfield youth through positive outlets

*However, we welcome applications that help the community in other ways.*

Some examples of possible projects in this focus areas would be: finding ways to improve areas where youth are present (like adding a water fountain to the skate park), creating spaces or times where youth can come together and discuss issues that are important to them, developing projects where your peers can support one another, or finding ways to lower the cost to participate in events or acquire equipment that might be needed to participate. These are a few simple ideas; we know you will have many more creative and amazing projects to share.

Some of the projects YouthBank has funded in the past include: the NHS Boxing Club, Students Supporting Students Care Packages; the Black Student Union book club; the Environmental Club, the Social Anxieties podcast, an LGBT+ support group; funding for a turf field, music events and a washer and dryer at the Key; revitalizing a park by Viking Terrace, and Marnita’s Table, Red Yarn Stories and Game Night events.

The more your idea fits the grant requirements below, the better the chance you will have of receiving funding.

The basic grant requirements are:

Youth-led: This means a group of at least 3 young people have the idea, apply for the money and make it happen.
Clear and realistic plan to meet your goal.
Good value for money.
Has a positive impact on young people in our community.
Addresses issues of equity within our community.
Each grant must use a minimum of $500.

Your application will be scored on the following: Quality of Idea, Value for Money, the Role of Youth, the Project’s Impact, Addressing Equity, and Group Preparedness.

Apply for a Grant

Deadline for applications: Monday, November 28, 2022 – by 11pm

How does YouthBank help youth?+–

On top of funding valuable community projects, YouthBank helps young people develop essential life skills and prepares them for future careers. Members of the granting committee are responsible for engaging in community research, fundraising, promoting grant opportunities, reviewing requests for funding and engaging in the decision making process, working alongside young people in promoting their work, writing reports and engaging with grant recipients to learn what worked well.

Commitment to anti-racism+–

Northfield YouthBank continues to work on educating ourselves and those around us on the far-reaching effects of systemic racism. The murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May was a horrific injustice that shed light on the much larger issue of deep-seated and oft-overlooked racism in America—an issue YouthBank commits to addressing.

Two of YouthBank’s core values are equity for all and youth empowerment. We strive to amplify the voices of all youth, but especially those who are underrepresented. All too often, black voices are silenced by a society built on a foundation of systemic racism. Black lives matter, and we stand in solidarity with the black community and with those who are advocating for justice. Dramatic changes must occur in order to build a better, more equitable society.

Racism doesn’t just disappear because people post about it for a week. We should all strive to advocate for racial equality and justice every day of our lives. We pledge to continue our own education and share links to resources, places to donate, and educational tools, as well as highlighting youth who are taking action everyday in the fight against racism. We continue to discuss how our organization can best use its resources to serve you. Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or recommendations.

To learn more about the impact YouthBank has had here in Northfield and why you would want to join the team to help us continue this work, take a look through the grants we have given out in the past.

See All Funded Grants

Questions?

Send an email to northfieldyouthbank@gmail.com.

Or, learn about the initiatives that have received past YouthBank grants—for youth, by youth!

Healthy Community Initiative