The Siemer Milling Company Fund for Youth Leadership Development is a regional grant initiative administered by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. Established in 2006 by Siemer Milling Company, a family and employee-owned business with operations in Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana, the fund supports organizations dedicated to cultivating leadership skills in youth. Siemer Milling emphasizes community stewardship and believes in the value of nurturing the next generation of civic and enterprise leaders. The fund reflects the company's long-standing commitment to positively impacting the communities in which it operates.
The grant program targets nonprofit organizations and qualifying public entities that deliver programs fostering leadership in youth aged 19 and under. Eligible projects must serve one or more of the following counties: Effingham County, Illinois; Christian County, Kentucky; or Dearborn County, Indiana. Programs must aim to enhance core leadership competencies such as enterprise savvy, moral integrity, and collaborative communication. These characteristics are seen as essential for young people to successfully engage in their communities, businesses, and institutions.
Proposals are expected to detail how their initiatives cultivate leadership development among youth. The fund accepts applications for both new and previously funded projects, provided that returning applicants clearly demonstrate how renewed funding will build upon or address specific challenges in the ongoing project. Notably, the fund encourages direct youth participation in the application process, suggesting that youth applicants seek adult assistance where needed.
Funding is competitive and determined through a weighted scoring system: up to 50 points are allocated for demonstrating impact on youth leadership development, 40 points for the strength of the project proposal, and 10 points for the quality and clarity of the budget and narrative. Not all qualified applications will be funded, and award amounts may be less than requested, depending on the volume and quality of submissions.
Applications open on August 26, 2025, and close on October 7, 2025. There are no pre-application requirements, and the fund is expected to continue annually, offering recurring opportunities to apply. Organizations unsure about eligibility are encouraged to contact Kristen Bertrand, Program Officer, at kristen@southeasternillinois.org or 217-342-5413 for clarification.
Emphasize youth involvement and leadership impact; connect outcomes to core leadership competencies.
