Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council Grant

The Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC) is a student-led grantmaking initiative operating under the guidance of seven advisors and composed of approximately 50 student members. It serves the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle. Funded through permanently endowed funds provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, NEMYAC operates with a mission to foster philanthropy among youth and to support community improvement through targeted youth-related grants. The Council is responsible for awarding approximately $50,000 annually to local nonprofit organizations focused on youth programs and services. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under IRS section 501(c)(3), schools, or government agencies. Religious organizations may also apply, provided that the services offered are non-sectarian and open to the general public. Importantly, individuals are not eligible to apply. All applicant organizations must demonstrate that their programs benefit youth residing within the four designated counties. Additionally, all grant proposals from public and parochial schools must be directed to the Youth Advisory Council. Grant funds are awarded strictly for future initiatives; retroactive funding is not permitted. Applications that request support for routine operational costs or to cover budget deficits will not be considered. Instead, NEMYAC places an emphasis on innovative proposals—particularly those classified as "seed money" for new projects—and encourages applications that also show financial backing from other entities. The Council explicitly discourages requests aimed at maintaining ongoing programs through sustained funding. Applicants may request up to $2,500 per funding cycle. There are two annual deadlines for grant submissions: January 15 and October 15. Applications must be received by one of these dates for consideration in the corresponding funding cycle. Proposals requesting more than $500 require a brief presentation to the Youth Advisory Council, the date and location of which are communicated after proposal submission. Applications under $500 are exempt from this requirement. The review and allocation process is handled entirely by the Youth Advisory Council, with no voting participation from staff members. Funding recommendations are made through a consensus process and must be approved by the Board of Trustees during its quarterly meeting following the application deadline. Decisions are typically made within six weeks of the submission deadline, and grant disbursement occurs within two weeks of board approval, contingent upon receipt of a signed grant agreement. Grantees must also complete a final grant report. While grants are generally expected to be used within one year of approval, a six-month extension may be granted upon written request. Half of the total funds awarded in each cycle are dedicated to addressing priority youth issues identified in a tri-annual needs assessment. Current focus areas include mental health and depression, stress management, vaping and tobacco use, hygiene and body image concerns, and the general lack of local recreational opportunities. These priorities guide the Council in identifying programs that align with the most pressing needs of the region's youth population.