Young people who care about their communities are increasingly getting involved in philanthropy.
By forming Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) within local community foundations, young people come together to raise money, build endowment funds and make grants to local youth projects. YACs are in their teens and twenties, with a lot of ideas and energy to bring to the table. There are already YACs in more than 55 communities across Canada, and the momentum is building.
In 2004, the Saskatoon Community Foundation launched its own Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Between 2004 and 2012, our YAC enhanced the quality of life for Saskatoon children and youth by disbursing grants from the Batting 1000 Endowment for Children and Youth, a fund created from gifts from many donors who wanted to see youth take a greater role in philanthropy in our community. Beginning in 2013, the Batting 1000 Endowment for Children and Youth was renamed Youth Endowment Saskatoon, and grants made from the fund are now known as YES! Now, the YAC says YES! to projects for children and youth in Saskatoon!
Focus Areas:
- Address gaps in education and augment both academic and applied education
- Prevent the harms that substance misuse can cause in children and youth, directly and indirectly
- Promote positive mental health and positive social connections
Youth involvement
Youth should be involved in the delivery, planning or implementation of projects, and projects should have a direct impact on lives of youth in Saskatoon or other communities in Saskatchewan.
All applications will be reviewed by the Youth Advisory Committee. The YAC will recommend grants for approval by the Saskatoon Community Foundation Board of Directors.