About the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is a group of local high school students who are responsible for reviewing and recommending grants for programs that benefit area youth. The mission of the YAC is to empower young people, involve them in the community, and teach them about philanthropy while they serve as stewards through grantmaking.

YAC members meet at least once a month during the school year for grantmaking, site visits to local organizations, and learning about community needs and philanthropy. This year alone, YAC members have volunteered at events hosted by Kids’ Food Basket, Empowering Youth Global Connection, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland, Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative, the City of Holland, Resthaven, and more. They also represented the Holland/Zeeland area at a state-wide conference for youth advisory committees and took the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Youth Suicide Prevention Training with Mosaic Counseling.

Open Seats in 2025

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) seeks candidates for these open seats:

• 1 seat open to current 8th, 9th or 10th grade student at Holland High School.
• 2 seats open to current 8th, 9th or 10th grade students at Zeeland West High School.
• 3 seats open to current 8th, 9th or 10th grade student at West Ottawa High School.
• 1 seat open to current 8th, 9th or 10th grade students who are residents of the Holland/Zeeland area and attend homeschool, remote school, or school of choice outside our community.

Selection Process

In selecting new members, the YAC looks for young people who:

• Care about the community and want to make a difference.
• Bring diverse perspectives to our YAC are open-minded, critical thinkers able to discuss tough issues and creative solutions.
• Demonstrate integrity and initiative in their actions and decisions.

Expectations of YAC members:

• Attend required grant meetings three times a year and the majority of all other YAC activities and meetings. YAC meetings are usually held from 5:30-7:30 pm on weeknights and dinner is provided.
• Come to meetings prepared and actively participate in decision-making and activities.
• Be an advocate for the YAC, the Community Foundation, and the needs of youth in the Holland/Zeeland area.

All applications are due by April 14, 2024. Please note – this year’s application process includes an interview component. Applicants will receive further details about the interview after they’ve applied.

All applicants will be notified of final decisions by the end of May. If you have any questions about the application or the YAC, please contact Yadah V. Ramirez at yramirez@cfhz.org or 616.994.8862.