Community Youth
The mission of the Muskingum County Community Youth Foundation is to enhance our community's philanthropic spirit through fundraising, grantmaking, awareness, community service, and educational programs in support of the Muskingum County Community Foundation.
Community Youth Foundation Officers 2023 – 2024
- President – Alivia Sims, Tri-Valley
- Vice President – Hailey Lepi, Bishop Rosecrans
- Secretary – Colleen Piccone, Philo
- Treasurer – Ella Hawkins, Philo
- Fundraising Chair – Avery Maxwell, Bishop Rosecrans
- Communications Chair – Chris Wilson, Bishop Rosecrans
The Community Youth Foundation currently has 33 members from local high schools.
The Community Youth Foundation (CYF) is a component fund of the Muskingum County Community Foundation. The Members of the Community Youth Foundation are selected from area high schools. CYF was established with surplus funds from the Foundation's Groundhog Day Celebration in 2000. Members were introduced to the community during the National Philanthropy Day Celebration on November 14, 2000, at the Schultz Mansion in Zanesville. The first meeting of the CYF was held January 20, 2001.
Members meet monthly during the school year. They distribute grants to youth service groups, select local scholarship winners, and work on teambuilding and leadership activities with other members. Members also participate in additional service projects throughout the year, selected by them to improve the quality of life for youth in Muskingum County.
If you have a community service project idea, are interested in assistance from CYF members on a project, or are part of another teen leadership group in the community that may be interested in partnering with CYF on a project, please contact MCCF by calling (740) 453-5192. Projects do not need to serve youth as their primary population, but all projects are considered and approved for member participation by the CYF Advisor.
The 2023 CYF Membership Application is now available! The deadline to apply is Friday, September 22, at 5:00 PM.
The deadline for recommenders is also Friday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m. EDT, so be sure to submit this application to give them enough time to complete it.
In the fall, all high school students who attend Muskingum County high schools, and home schooled students who live in Muskingum County, are eligible to apply for the Community Youth Foundation. The application for membership is available online only. Membership preference is given to freshmen and sophomores. Once selected, students remain on the Youth Foundation until they graduate by meeting participation requirements.
Members of the Community Youth Foundation complete service projects, distribute grants, decide upon local scholarship winners and have fun by going through teambuilding and leadership activities with other youth in Muskingum County.
CYF students assist with decorating downtown Zanesville in preparation for Storybook Christmas.
CYF has held Youth Grant Competitions every spring since 2013, awarding a total of $14,250 to area youth projects and organizations.
The Youth Grant Competition allows members to learn about the grant-making process. CYF members are responsible for raising funds to support the awards before reviewing and selecting grant winners.
In 2015 CYF fulfilled a five-year $5,000 pledge to the Muskingum Recreation Center.
For the 2009-2010 school year, the Youth Foundation provided funds to McIntire Munson Elementary and Care Team Collaborative through its grant competition.
The Youth Foundation also has provided financial support to the Muskingum Family Y's annual Women of Achievement program, recognizing local women for outstanding contributions to our community. Each year, the Youth Foundation selects a young woman under 18 years of age for the Bright Futures Award.
In 2021 and 2022, CYF hosted the “You Matter 5K” to raise awareness about mental health and share proceeds from the race with I AM a Warrior Against Suicide.
Finished House – CYF Members Gabby Ihlenfeld, Liberty Best, Eliza Carter, Annika Lindsey, and Alivia Sims stand in front of their finished playhouse made possible with Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Ohio. This volunteer opportunity was with the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation.
Community Links
WHIZ – CYF members Kennedy Tolliver and Caleb Silvia appeared on Live at Noon in August 2021 to promote recruitment efforts for the CYF Membership Drive.