The Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is now accepting applications for mini-grants which will provide first-generation students, in grades 6 – 12, from low-income households in the Holland/Zeeland area, with the opportunity to visit post-secondary education institutions in-person. These visits help students visualize where they might continue their education after high school and develop long-term educational goals.

What can be funded?

Funding may be used for transportation for visits to post-secondary education institutions in Michigan or within a 200-mile radius of the Holland/Zeeland Area. If the length of travel requires meals outside of what is provided during campus visits, funding may be used for food as well. Visits must be completed by November 1, 2024.

Applicants may request up to $500. If visits will include a financial aid education session/seminar either on the day of or within a few days of visits, organizations can request up to an additional $250 to offset the cost of this additional opportunity.

Who can apply?

Holland/Zeeland area middle schools, high schools, and youth-serving nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; municipalities; and other governmental entities that serve a charitable purpose in the greater Holland/Zeeland area are eligible to apply for funding.

YAC encourages applications that include:

• Parent/Guardian involvement, either through direct participation in the visit, and/or pre/post visit activities.
• Combined visits to two (2) or more post-secondary education institutions in one trip.
• Visits that serve first-generation students from low-income households.
• Visits that provide opportunities for meaningful interactions between visiting groups, college students, and program/school alumni.
• Visits that pair campus tours with financial aid seminars/information sessions.

Ready to apply?

Complete this application and submit no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please note, responses submitted through this application form cannot be saved. As such, we encourage applicants to draft responses in a Word document before copying over to the form. 

Applications must be signed by the staff person or volunteer who is responsible for organizing and leading the visit and the school principal or organization executive director. It is preferred that no more than one application from each school or organization be submitted. The Youth Advisory Committee will review all proposals, with final approval and notification of awards occurring toward the end of February.

Questions?

Please contact Yadah V. Ramirez, Director of Community Impact, at yramirez@cfhz.org or (616) 994-8862.