Youth Advisory Committee Students Dive Into Community Grantmaking

This past fall, students participating in the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) program met once a month to take part in a hands on learning experience in community grantmaking. Participating students included Mrs. Bishop’s sophomore advisory period and a small cohort of juniors from FLEX.

Early conversations focused on identifying the biggest challenges facing growth in our community and the issues students notice in their daily lives. Initial ideas ranged widely, including everything from bunny overpopulation to potholes, reflecting a comedic, yet accurate take on local issues.

As the months progressed, students refined their thinking and began reviewing a broad list of nonprofit organizations serving the southern Kenai Peninsula. Through discussion and evaluation, they narrowed their focus to a shortlist of 10 organizations. From there, a request for applications was issued along with a structured rubric to guide fair and thoughtful evaluation.

In total, seven organizations submitted video applications. Students reviewed each submission, scored them using the rubric, and engaged in thoughtful discussion about how to best allocate available funds. After careful consideration, students selected the following awardeess for the grants listed below:

• Haven House - $10,000
• Homer Community Food Pantry -$5,000
• SPROUT -$5,000

“Getting to collaborate with the YAC this year was such a great experience." said program volunteer Abby Story. "The entire community benefits from youth sharing their expertise, and I hope that YAC can inspire more programs to champion the value of youth voice.”

Across both groups, students consistently recognized the importance of early childhood intervention, food security, and housing and support services for vulnerable populations. While past YAC cohorts have often focused on programs serving youth specifically, this year’s students took a broader view, prioritizing organizations that provide essential services to individuals of all ages, particularly those offering support at no cost.

This year marks the third time the program has distributed $20,000 in grants, with this year representing the three largest single grant awards in YAC history. A theme that emerged this year was the belief that larger grants create stronger outcomes. Several students noted that awards under $5,000 might not be sufficient to create meaningful change, leading to a consensus around fewer but larger awards. Since its inception in 2006, the YAC program has awarded more than $140,000 in total funding.

Funded by donors Robert and Meon Purcell, the program is based on a specific idea: to place decision making power directly in the hands of youth. This experience continues to prompt thoughtful discussion, civic awareness, and a deeper understanding of the nonprofit landscape. The hope is that this year’s cohort walked away with a stronger appreciation for the essential role these organizations play in supporting the southern Kenai Peninsula community.