Cape Youth Force Now Accepting Grant Proposals

Cape Youth Force Now Accepting Grant Proposals
Deadline is 5pm on April 30, 2008 

CAPE COD, MA - The Cape Youth Force has begun accepting grant proposals from schools, agencies, and nonprofit organizations that aim to benefit youth. Groups from Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket are encouraged to apply.

The Cape Youth Force is a subcommittee of the Cape & Islands Youth Congress and is comprised of high school students who aspire to make a positive impact on their local communities through youth-oriented projects and service. It is a program of the Cape Cod Foundation, Barnstable County UMass Extension/4H and YMCA/Cape Cod.

Originally funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the program is now supported by local contributions as well as contributions from the Cape Cod Foundation via the Community Fund for Young People and Priscilla Cotter Fund for Youth Activities. In addition to awarding grants, Cape Youth Force students also engage in community service and leadership activities.

Over the past several months, CYF students have been conducting meetings to establish grant guidelines and expectations and to take steps toward soliciting proposals from the community. Some examples of past projects to receive grants are an after-school program that teaches new skills in a safe environment, and an activities-based program for 10- to 14-year-old students to learn more about the marine ecosystem and ocean conservation. As usual, to receive funding, projects this year must meet a community need on Cape Cod and the Islands and be designed and carried out by groups that are either nonprofit organizations or that have a nonprofit organization or school willing to manage their grant money.

Projects should be completed by July 1, 2009, with a brief report due by July 30, 2009. Preference will be given to projects that include youth (age 8-18) working with an adult advisor or that include youth in all aspects of the project.

The Cape Youth Force students will convene to evaluate all proposals and make recommendations on funding to be presented to the Cape Cod Foundation Board of Directors. It is expected that grant awards will range from $200 to $2,000. For applications or for more information, contact Lisa McNeill at the Cape Cod Foundation at 508-790-3040 or visit www.capecodfoundation.org. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. April 30.

The Cape Cod Foundation was established in 1989 to serve the people of Cape Cod and the Islands by linking community needs with the charitable resources of those who care deeply about our region, to provide a perpetual resource for the community. The Foundation has distributed more than $30 million in grants and scholarships and will celebrate 20 years of charitable giving in 2009.