The Whatcom Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Youth Philanthropy Fund for the Environment to help high school students develop personal and professional skills needed by the next generation of community leaders.

Students form a leadership committee, volunteer, research, visit with local nonprofit organizations, solicit grant proposals and make funding decisions. They learn about local needs and distribute grants from the Community Foundation to benefit the environment.

Funding Information

• Grant amounts vary, but typically range from $1,000-$10,000.

Eligible Projects

The Foundation place the highest priority on ideas that fuel inspiring, actionable, relevant projects which:

• Support new and creative projects that offer the greatest opportunity for positive and significant change
• Reflect and promote the diversity of the communities they serve
• Advance equity and inclusion
• Leverage resources
• Cultivate neighborliness
• Link demonstrated needs with opportunities in our community
• Address and help resolve important existing or emerging community issues
• Facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations
• Lift community voices
• Catalyze change while building capacity

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with a valid letter from the IRS recognizing its 501(c)3 status, Native American Tribes, religious and educational institutions, and, projects with an approved fiscal sponsor.
• City or County Governments requests for non-essential, quality of life, community enhancement projects not typically funded through tax dollars may be eligible.

For more information, visit Whatcom Community Foundation.