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.
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.
For more information about applying for the Community Youth Foundation, please contact MCCF by calling (740) 453-5192.
2017-2018 CYF President Clarice Hague with Vice President Cory Burkhart display their fundraising poster for Light the Night at Zanesville's Farm-City Day.
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.
CYF Members Lauren Wyatt, Madeline Wilson, and Rachel Taylor attend the Women of Achievement annual banquet in April 2018. Madeline Wilson was selected for the 2018 Bright Future Award.
The annual Youth Grant Competition gives CYF members an opportunity to learn about the grantmaking process. CYF members are responsible for fundraising, and they will also review the applications and select a grant winner or winners. Since 2013 CYF has awarded over $8,000 in grants through this competition.
Grant requests may be submitted by local nonprofit organizations serving youth. Applications must be for a youth program or project, not an individual. This year up to $1,000 will be awarded.
The application deadline is Noon on Friday, April 5, 2019.
Applications will be accepted online
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For more information about CYF grants, please contact MCCF by calling (740) 453-5192.
Groundhog Day 2018
CYF members assisted with several projects to make the MCCF Groundhog Day Celebration 2018 a success. Pictured are: CYF members Haven Davy, Sam Slaboden, Joe Morrison, Clarice Hague, Madelyn Cherrington, and Connor Tyo.