CYF Grant Guidelines

THE COMMUNITY YOUTH FOUNDATION

Guidelines for Grant Applicants 

Spring 2004 Competition

Deadline: Friday, March 12, 2004 - 1:00 p.m.

The Community Youth Foundation (CYF), a component fund of the Muskingum County Community Foundation (MCCF), is accepting requests for proposals and will award grants to local schools, youth groups, colleges and universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies for youth projects and programs in Muskingum County. The Mission of the CYF is to give youth a voice and to provide financial and human resources for projects and programs that improve the quality of life of the youth of Muskingum County.

The grant money to be distributed is funded through the Community, Higher Education and School Partnerships (CHESP) / Ohio LEGACY (Learning, Engaging, Giving and Caring Youth) initiative. The local CHESP Team is a partnership between the Muskingum County Community Foundation, Family and Children First, Ohio University-Zanesville, Maysville School District, and the Muskingum Valley Education Service Center, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H Extension Office.

Eligibility: Applicants must be in Muskingum County and grant money must be spent for projects or programs directed to youth grades K-16 (ages 5-23). Schools, colleges and universities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations which have been in existence for a minimum of one year, and youth groups are eligible. Youth and youth groups without non-profit tax-exempt status may partner with a school, college, university, or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for projects. Funding must be used for youth service learning projects in Muskingum County. Funding may not be used for: administrative salaries, equipment, religious instruction, influencing elections, or for fundraising expenses. Project staff salaries/stipends are allowable, however funds may not be used to pay stipends or salaries for youth service learning participants. 

Service learning "integrates community service with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities" (Learning In Deed, National Commission on Service-Learning). Service Learning includes the following:

• The participants learn civic responsibility and develop skills through active planning and involvement in an organized service project that meets established human, educational, environmental, or public safety needs of their community;

• The project is coordinated with one or more community-based organizations, a national, state or local service program (such as Scouts, 4-H, AmeriCorps, Vista, etc.), and/or an elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education;

• The service project is integrated into and enhances the participants' academic curriculum, or the educational components of the community-based service program in which they are enrolled or the project supports the organization's mission statement; and

• The participants are provided with structured time and method to reflect on and synthesize the learning gleaned from their service experience. (Ohio Community Service Council, Jan. 2002.)

Grant Awards & Requirements:

In addition to the grant application, the CYF may request additional information or an interview to gain a better understanding of the project. Up to $8,700 will be available for distribution, contingent upon funding sources. Awards will be announced shortly after March 14, 2004.  Grants will generally range from $250 to $1000 -- depending upon the nature/quality of applications. 

The local CHESP team will provide technical assistance as needed to help grantees maintain service learning in these projects. At the completion of each project, grantees will be required to provide an evaluation by the youth and leaders involved at project completion. Evaluation and reporting instruments will be provided by the CYF and CHESP/Legacy Team. Projects must be completed by June 20, 2004. 

For more information or technical assistance, please call the MCCF, at (740) 453-5192.

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