What is the difference between the YAR grants that the Initiative Foundation makes, and the YAR grants that local YAR boards make?
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| The Initiative Foundation makes grants to create local YAR boards. A portion of our grant award is used to pay for a local YAR coordinator. The remaining funds (typically 75% of the grant) are used by the local YAR board to make "mini" grants to help offset the cost of carrying out local community service projects. These "mini" grants, or "project" grants typically range from $100-$750. |
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How many new YAR teams are created in the region each year? |
The Initiative Foundation is committed to providing financial and technical support to two new YAR teams each year from 2005-2007. Although the Initiative Foundation only has the financial resources to award start-up grants to two new YAR teams each year, this does not mean you can’t seek other funds to start a local YAR program. |
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How much is a start-up YAR grant from the Initiative Foundation? |
Usually $15,000. Some may vary slightly depending on the scope and size of your community. |
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Does the Initiative Foundation provide ongoing financial support to YAR teams? |
Successful YAR teams are eligible to apply for renewed funding at approximately one-half of their original start-up grant. These awards are always made in the form of “challenge” grants and require a local cash match. |
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How many people are on a YAR board? |
Typically, YAR boards are made up of 12-16 board members. |
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How many youth have to be on the board? |
At least 51% of your board members have to be youth or young adults ages 12-21. |
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What makes a YAR group successful? |
Successful YAR groups require:
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a coordinator or co-coordinators – one adult, one youth - who has/have adequate time to dedicate to the project (approx. 6-8 hours/week),
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a host organization that shares the youth development / community service mission of YAR and that has the capacity to support the program,
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active adult partners serving alongside youth on the YAR board who understand their roles,
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reliable youth who understand and fulfill their obligations as a YAR board member,
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a supportive local community that contributes financially to the pool of grant funds for local youth-led, community service projects.
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Can adults submit grant applications to YAR? |
No. YAR projects must be youth-initiated and youth-led. Adults must be involved as advisors to the community service projects. |
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How does a group apply for a YAR project grant? |
Every YAR team has its own application process. You should contact the YAR coordinator or a local YAR board member for details. Typically, the process includes a written application and often a presentation to the YAR board. |
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What advice can you give to a new YAR coordinator? |
Carefully consider how you recruit board members. YAR coordinators in a hurry to get the program going might take the easiest route and ask all the obvious community leaders to serve on the board – those youth and adults already involved and active in local initiatives. These people already have lots of opportunities for personal development and may well be over-committed to other projects. YAR has the potential to help less involved young people or those with the potential but who have not yet had the invitation to step up and discover and develop their leadership abilities. The same could be said for local adult board members.
Dedicate enough time to the program. If your organization cannot dedicate 6-8 hours per week of your time for YAR, the program might not be a great fit for the organization and chances are greatly diminished that this program will become sustainable and touch all the lives it is capable of touching.
Make certain that your organization's staff and board of directors see the alignment of the YAR mission and the host organization's mission. If that alignment is in doubt, the organizational support required for this program will be jeopardized. Keep all stakeholders well-informed. |
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How do we get started? |
- Contact Jana Shogren, children, youth and families specialist, for resource materials, advice and suggested first steps.
- Hold a community meeting of potentially interested youth and adults to present the YAR program model and gauge interest.
- Identify a host organization and project coordinator.
- Form a board of youth (at least 51%) and adults.
- Apply for start-up grant.
- Conduct board training and develop board by-laws and procedures.
- Develop grant award process and paperwork.
- Promote YAR and solicit grant requests.
- Meet monthly to review grant requests and make awards.
- Raise funds to maintain/replenish pool of grant dollars.
- Hold annual celebration event.
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