The NextGen Grantmakers Initiative is a youth-led grantmaking program sponsored in partnership by Deaconess Foundation and Vision for Children at Risk. It places funding decisions directly into the hands of youth leaders aged 12–24 through a participatory grantmaking process. This initiative provides youth-serving organizations with the opportunity to receive financial support for projects that elevate youth leadership, promote safety and mental well-being, and foster professional development for individuals aged 10 to 24.
Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a qualified fiscal sponsor and must serve youth within St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, and Franklin County in Missouri, or Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois. Programs must be youth-led or meaningfully involve youth in the development, design, and execution of the proposed project. Proposals should align with one or more of the following focus areas: mental health and emotional intelligence, youth safety, leadership development, or the transition to adulthood.
The program will award between five and ten grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 each, for projects to be completed within 12 months. Successful proposals will clearly demonstrate their impact, creativity, inclusivity, and ability to drive positive change in youth-serving systems or communities. Proposals are evaluated and selected by the NextGen Youth Advisory Board, a group of young leaders aged 12 to 24.
The request for proposals opens September 2, 2025, and closes September 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted through the Deaconess Foundation’s online grant portal. For questions regarding project design or eligibility, applicants may contact Jawana Hammonds, Project Director at Vision for Children at Risk, at jhammonds@visionforchildren.org. Technical support related to application submission can be obtained by contacting Jaylon Cal, Program Manager at Deaconess Foundation, at jalyonc@deaconess.org.
Ensure strong youth involvement in project design and execution. Applications are reviewed by a youth advisory board. Creativity and inclusion are valued.
