612 Youth Engagement Project
Deadline: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Purpose

The 612 Youth Engagement Project (612-YEP) is a joint response by TMF and YCB to the Minneapolis Blueprint for Youth Violence Prevention. It provides a model for youth engagement, youth philanthropy, and youth/adult partnership. The focus is on engaging middle and high school aged youth in Minneapolis – ages 13-18.

The 612-YEP will support nonprofit and public agencies to offer positive youth engagement activities that are reflective of the goals of the City of Minneapolis’ “Blueprint for Action: Preventing Youth Violence”: (1) To connect every youth with trusted adults; (2) To intervene at the first sign that youth are at risk for violence; (3) To restore youth who have gone down the wrong path; and, (4) To unlearn the culture of violence in our community.

Eligible Organizations

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth serving agencies
  
• Public institutions that work with youth

Criteria

• Funding is intended for youth-led programs/activities occurring between June and August of 2012 – after schools are out and before they begin.
  
• It is expected youth will be involved in the design and implementation of the programs/activities and in the development of the grant proposal.
  
• Examples of eligible youth-led projects/activities might include (but are not limited to):
  • Developing a community garden and/or mini-farmer’s market
  • Creating a neighborhood arts project such as a mural or performing arts production
  • Establishing a tutoring program for younger students
  • Organizing a neighborhood health fair

Funds Available

• Approximately $40,000 will be available for grants for summer 2012 programs.
• 612-YEP will make grants for one-time support.
• 612-YEP will make grants of various sizes ranging from $1,500 to $3,500.
• Previous approval or denial is not a decision-making factor for consideration of 2012 support.

We Do Not Fund

Nondiscrimination Policy

The 612-YEP’s resources are available to organizations that serve the public without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. It is expected that facilities will be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application (look for "how to respond to an RFP"). If you are unable to complete an online application, contact The Minneapolis Foundation for further direction. To download the budget form please use the link in the sidebar at right.

In describing how project success will be evaluated and measured, please include specific quantifiable measures of success. Grantees will be asked to provide this data in their Grant Report.

Grant Reports

Grant recipients are required to submit a report about their activities following the 612-YEP Grant Report format. Final Grant Reports will be due by September 28, 2012.

Process and Timeline

PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012.

Proposals will be reviewed by a youth advisory panel composed of members of the YCB’s Youth Congress and the Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education’s Helping Youth Promote Empowerment (H.Y.P.E.) Council.
Funding decisions announced in March 2012.

Background Information

The Minneapolis Foundation is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the country.  The Foundation manages over 600 donor advised funds and awards approximately $5 million in grants each year from its unrestricted funds.

The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board (YCB) champions the well-being and healthy development of Minneapolis children and young people.  It is a collaborative effort of the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and the Minneapolis Public Schools.