Forward Turn Youth Grant

Forward Turn is a youth-led philanthropic initiative supported by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. This program, funded by the S. Murray and Mary H.C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project endowment, empowers youth to direct charitable giving within their local communities. It operates in partnership with the Youth Advisory Council of Loudoun County and focuses its impact within Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, Virginia. Forward Turn encourages youth involvement not only in the funding decisions but also in the grant application process itself. The primary goal of Forward Turn is to support projects that foster positive youth lifestyles, cultivate united communities, and increase community involvement among youth. The program values initiatives that are youth-led or directly benefit young people and supports proposals on a wide range of topics. These include addressing mental health concerns such as teen depression and suicide, promoting internet safety, mentoring and tutoring programs, teen pregnancy prevention, environmental stewardship, and more. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate innovative thinking and collaboration with other youth, nonprofit organizations, or faith-based entities. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,500, and proposals must specify the exact amount requested. While applications may be completed by adult leaders, Forward Turn prioritizes youth-written proposals. At minimum, a youth involved in the program must submit a Letter of Endorsement with the application. Projects are expected to show strong community impact and may include in-kind or volunteer support as part of their resource plan. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, schools, government groups, and faith-based organizations operating in Loudoun and/or Northern Fauquier Counties. All applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation's grant portal. The next application window will open in fall 2025, with a submission deadline of January 17, 2026. Applicants should ensure availability for one of the two scheduled interview nights in March. These interviews are conducted by Forward Turn Youth Advisors and are required as part of the review process. An optional pre-application workshop will be held on December 3, 2025, via Zoom, with registration required to attend. A recording will be made available online for those who register. Final award announcements are expected by April 1, 2026, and funded projects must be completed within one year of the award date. For questions, applicants can contact Joanne Trimmer, Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs, at joanne@communityfoundationlf.org or 703-779-3505 x1.

Prioritize youth leadership and collaboration; emphasize projects with high impact and low cost; provide evidence of community involvement and resource leveraging.