The Youth In Action Grant is administered by The Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Inc., a philanthropic organization that has awarded over $14 million in grants to local nonprofits since 1999. This initiative specifically targets middle and high school students in Dickinson County, Kansas, providing them an opportunity to apply for funding that will support projects or programming intended to enrich their schools or communities.
Designed to empower youth leadership and community engagement, the program offers individual grants of up to $1,000. Applications are open to youth applicants who must apply alongside an adult sponsor and a designated fiscal agent. Eligible fiscal agents may include schools, cities, counties, or nonprofit organizations. The application process includes a short questionnaire and a 30 to 90-second video submission hosted on YouTube, demonstrating the proposed project and its anticipated community impact.
The application period for the 2025 cycle of the Youth In Action Grant opened earlier this year and will continue until May 1, 2026, or until funding is depleted, whichever comes first. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed, and applicants are notified upon decision. As a result, early submission is encouraged due to the finite availability of funds.
Once a grant is awarded, recipients are required to submit a Final Grant Report in video format via the grant application website. This final report must be completed no later than 30 days after the project's expected completion date. Projects must be finished within a timeline that allows for timely reporting.
The program’s review process takes into account the potential reach of the proposed activity, with preference given to those benefiting a larger segment of the school or community. There are no stated restrictions on the type of enrichment project, allowing for a wide range of creative and meaningful initiatives led by youth.
Questions about the program can be directed to the Community Foundation at info@communityfoundation.us or via phone at 785-263-1863. The Foundation’s office is located at 201 NW Second Street, Abilene, KS 67410, and maintains standard business hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Apply early; grants awarded as received; include high-impact projects to increase competitiveness.
