A hands-on learning experience in philanthropy for high school students

In our Youth Philanthropy grants program, local high school students decide how to leverage philanthropy for maximum community impact. They review applications, discuss and analyze them with peers, make award determinations, and present grant checks to nonprofits at an awards party. Applying for a Youth Philanthropy grant is a great way to introduce your organization to local youth and to increase awareness of the nonprofits that serve our community.

Apply

Nonprofits
The Youth Philanthropy application opens on October 25, 2023 — details in Timeline” below.

Local high school students
No application is necessary to participate in Youth Philanthropy; all are welcome! Please email programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org, and we’ll connect you with your school’s Youth Philanthropy faculty liaison.

Grant Program Details

  • Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government entity, or other IRS-recognized charitable organization serving Teton County, Wyoming OR be fiscally-sponsored by an entity that meets these requirements.
  • Grant funds must be used exclusively in Teton County, Wyoming.
  • Funds may not be used for debt retirement or religious or political activities.
  • Applicant’s work must not be primarily focused on influencing legislation.
  • Grant funds may not be used for a project or training that has already been completed.

The Youth Philanthropy funding pool ranges from $25,000 to $37,500 each year. Applicants may request up to $3,000. Proposals may be partially funded.

Youth Philanthropy supports a range of nonprofit work reflecting the diverse needs and interests of our community. Program/project-based requests from eligible organizations serving Teton County, Wyoming are invited. General operating requests are not considered for this grants program. Also not considered are requests that have been submitted within the past 12-months.

For several years, the central component of the Youth Philanthropy application has been a Video Narrative. Applicants are asked to create a video of 5‑minutes or less detailing their proposal. It must include the following:

  • Name of applicant organization
  • Title of proposal
  • Amount requested
  • The community need being addressed – the why of your proposed work
  • Program/​project details – the who, what, when, where, and how of implementation
  • Program/​project partners
  • The impact of your proposed work on the stakeholders you serve and the broader community
  • Evaluation plans and metrics
  • What will happen if funding isn’t grantedGuidelines

Video Narratives don’t need cinematic bells and whistles to be successful. All types of videos have garnered Youth Philanthropy funding in the past. Judges are directed to focus on content, not aesthetics.

In addition to the Video Narrative, applicants are asked to provide a 60-word written narrative and project budget.

Email programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org with any questions about a proposal you are considering submitting.

  • Application period: October 25 – December 15, 2023
  • Review period: January 15 – March 20, 2024
  • Response period: March 21 – 22, 2024
  • Grant checks distributed at Youth Philanthropy Awards Party in mid-April 2024 (date/​time/​location TBD)

In fall 2022, the Community Foundation transitioned its grants programs to a new online application platform designed to make applicants’ experience user-friendly and streamlined. Please review SurveyMonkey Apply Tech Guide (YP) for instructions on navigating to/​through the Youth Philanthropy application. If you have applied for a Community Foundation grant since fall 2022, use the SurveyMonkey Apply account you created for that to access the Youth Philanthropy application starting on October 25, 2023.

Questions? Email programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org

Grant reports are not required for Youth Philanthropy. The Foundation requests that grant funds be used within 12 months, and that grantees share any photos/​videos of their work with programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org.

Grantees must adhere to the Foundation’s Communication Guidelines For Grant Recipients.

Questions? Email programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org

Youth Philanthropy grants are funded by Old Bill’s CoChallengers, individual donors, and endowed funds held at the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.

Information from your proposal may be shared with other potential funders or used in Community Foundation of Jackson Hole marketing materials or in grant writing workshops. The Community Foundation reserves the right to verify any information provided in your proposal. This includes but is not limited to references to data sources, collaborative partners, and financial information.

Questions? Email programservices@​cfjacksonhole.​org

Youth Philanthropy 2023 Press Release: $37,500 granted to 21 local nonprofits

  • Animal Adoption Center | Canine Behavior Manager | $500
  • Art Association of Jackson Hole | Avery Mathieu Scholarship Fund | $2,500
  • Astoria Park Conservancy | Launching Place-Based Education at Astoria to Inspire Natural Community Connections | $1,000
  • Boundless | Opportunities for Children | $1,500
  • Camina Conmigo | Library Gear | $1,000
  • Center for the Arts | HACER | $1,000
  • Climb Wyoming | Dress for Success | $3,000
  • Coombs Outdoors | Backcountry Ski Club | $1,800
  • Energy Conservation Works | Community Mobilizer Fund | $1,500
  • First in Family Jackson Hole Scholarships | Books for Local First Generation Scholars | $3,000
  • Girls Actively Participating (GAP) | Munger Elementary Leadership Program | $500
  • Good Samaritan Mission | Totes of Hope Food Program | $3,000
  • Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance | Conservation Leadership Institute Speaker Equity Fund | $1,500
  • Jackson Hole Public Art | Art Making Materials for Community Art | $1,000
  • Jackson Hole Writers | Almost Authors Kids Free Writing Workshops | $1,950
  • Off Square Theatre Company | Off Square Players | $1,500
  • Protect Our Water Jackson Hole | Teton County E. Coli Monitoring | $3,000
  • Teton County Search and Rescue Foundation | Getting You Home Animated Video | $1,000
  • Teton Raptor Center| Recovering from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza | $3,000
  • Vista 360° Inc. | Scholarships for Hands-On Workshops in Cowboy Craft Traditions | $2,250
  • Voices Jackson Hole | Latinx Professionals Empowerment Series | $2,000

Youth Philanthropy

2023 Awards Party