KCF’s Youth Advisory Council to Grant $50,000 - Applications Open Now
KCF Youth Advisor Council 2026-2027.
The Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF) is pleased to announce that it has been selected to participate in a regrant campaign from the Trust for Civic Life, a national grantmaker supporting rural communities. The Trust for Civic Life awarded KCF $45,000, and KCF’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) matched $5,000 from its grant budget to create the YAC Community Change Grant, a one-time grant opportunity with $50,000 available to support projects that bring people together and strengthen connections across local communities.
The Youth Advisory Council is leading the grant campaign, calling for project proposals that bring people together to create meaningful, impactful connections within and across local communities. Applicants are encouraged to be creative and read through YAC’s description of Community Connection in the grant application. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $10,000.
“We are incredibly grateful that the Trust for Civic Life has granted us this award, which increases our capacity to directly support the local organizations that bring strength and joy to our community. This opportunity is especially unique because it provides our Youth Advisory Council with significant funding, empowering them to invest in the projects they believe will be transformational in their communities,” said Madelina DiLisi, Director of Programs and YAC Advisor.
“Our communities are full of people with great ideas for bringing neighbors together and making the Keweenaw an even stronger place to live. One of KCF’s most important roles is connecting those ideas with the resources that can help bring them to life. We’re grateful to the Trust for Civic Life for recognizing the work already happening here and for giving us another opportunity to invest directly in the people and organizations who know their communities best,” said Robin Meneguzzo, CEO of the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
Eligible organizations can apply online starting September 28th: Community Connection Grant Application
Important Dates
Monday, September 28, 2026: Grant Application Opens Online
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 11:30 pm EST: Application Closes
End of November: All applicants will be notified about funding decisions
December 1, 2026: Awardees publicly announced and checks mailed out
About KCF’s Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) identifies youth needs, solicits grant proposals, and makes funding recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Advisors. This work is made possible by funding from the Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund. Since 1998, YAC has awarded $372,000 in grants to local programs and projects that serve young people across the region. This year, YAC has 19 active members, representing three different high schools in the area.
About The Trust for Civic Life
Launched in 2024, the Trust for Civic Life is a new grantmaker bringing together 21 national foundations and philanthropists to strengthen civic culture in rural communities. Through its core Civic Hubs program and small-grant funding for experimental projects, Trust for Civic Life aims to invest $50 million in 500 communities by 2028, supporting local work that fosters trust, belonging, and civic participation. Learn more at trustforciviclife.org
