Community Foundation marks 10th anniversary of the Youth Grantmakers Program, announces $60,050 in grants that benefit youth

At a ceremony marking the 10^th Anniversary of the Youth Grantmakers Program on June 9, The Community Foundation announced 50 grants totaling $60,050 to support youth-led projects across the Inland region. The grants were funded by local high school students that participate in the leadership program.

Over 350 supporters attended the ceremony at the Riverside Convention Center that showcased the accomplishments of the past 10 years and the nonprofits receiving 2018-2019 grants for their programs that benefit local youth. For the first time in YG’s history, all four programs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Coachella Valley, and Temecula were present together.

“We’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our young people who are modeling philanthropy across the region,” said Michelle Decker, President and CEO of The Community Foundation. “The future belongs to our youth, who are becoming leaders in their own right, helping to solve the ongoing challenges their peers face.”

With representatives from 27 high schools in both counties, 97 Youth Grantmakers make up the Riverside, San Bernardino, Coachella Valley, and Temecula (Native) programs.  Since the inception of this program, Youth Grantmakers have awarded over $387,000 to 155 nonprofit agencies.

In 2018-2019, they made grants to the following nonprofits: 

Coachella Valley YG

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert ($1,000); Boo2Bullying Inc. ($1,000); Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley ($2,000); Coachella Valley Housing Coalition ($2,500); Family YMCA of the Desert ($2,500); and Read With Me Volunteer Programs ($1,000).

Native Youth YG

Operation Prom Girl So Cal ($2,300); Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire ($2,000); Special Olympics Southern California – Inland Empire Region ($2,500); and The Empowerment Center ($1,750).

Riverside YG

Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective ($2,500); Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center ($2,050); Special Olympics Southern California – Inland Empire Region ($2,500); The Empowerment Center ($1,700); and Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation ($1,250). 

San Bernardino YG
Children’s Fund Inc. ($1,000); Foothill Family Shelter ($2,500); Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective ($2,500); Project Fighting Chance ($1,000); San Bernardino Fatherhood ($1,000); and Young Women’s Empowerment Foundation ($2,000).

An additional $21,500 in grants was given to nonprofits by seniors who selected their “Charity of Choice.” The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved the choices.

Youth Grantmakers began in 2009 to empower Inland Empire youth to give and serve in their communities. High school students from Riverside, San Bernardino, Coachella Valley and Temecula work together over an academic year, one Sunday a month. With grant dollars, training, and mentorship to the students, they are able to directly fund nonprofit organizations that benefit youth.

As part of the YG curriculum, students learn to read and analyze grant applications, assess needs, conduct site visits and prioritize the many worthwhile requests. Denisha Shackelford, the Foundation’s Youth Initiatives Manager, manages the program.

Sponsors of the Recognition and Grantee Ceremony include: Bank of America, Alta Loma Enterprises, LLC, Clark Construction Group, The California Endowment, Fey’s Canyon Realtors, Harns Family Endowed Donor Advised Fund, The James Irvine Foundation, Crown Connect, Riverside Construction Company, Inc., Soren McAdams, LLP, Rabbi Hillel & Rita Cohn, Lynn Bogh Baldi & Baldi Bros Enterprises, JJC Project Management Group, Inc., Bill and Gloria Harrison Donor Advised Fund, Paula Kennedy, NBC 4 Southern California and Inland Empire Magazine.