Straits Area Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grant

YAC Grant Application           Mini-grant Application           Budget Sample         Final Grant Report

SACF Youth Advisory Council (SAYAC) is a group of students from Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City.  Working with an adult advisor, the members learn about philanthropy and how to improve their communities through the grant-making process.  Using funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the students award grants to local non-profit organizations that are supporting projects and programs that benefit youth under the age of 18 in the Straits Area.

SACF welcomes your application.  Look over the information in the Application Guidelines below to find answers to questions about eligibility, deadlines, amounts available, and other frequently asked questions about available funds.

• Complete the YAC Grant Application.  If you reproduce this form on your computer, be sure not to exceed six (6) numbered pages.  Use the two-page mini-grant application for grants of $300 or less.
• Complete the Budget and attach a Budget Narrative to explain the project in greater detail.  A sample budget is provided for your use.  Be sure to list any additional funding sources for your project.
• Include the following attachments:

1.  501(c)(3) documentation
2. Current list of Board of Directors

• Do not include additional materials unless specifically requested in the attachments.  Report covers, folders, binders, and excess information are unnecessary and are usually removed before applications are sent to the Screening Committee.
• Be sure to secure the appropriate signatures from your organization (i.e., executive director or person in charge of the organization) before your proposal is submitted.
• Submit the original proposal by the deadline date (Jan. 1, April 1, Oct. 1).
• SAYAC requires that a representative of your organization make a brief presentation (about five (5) minutes) about your project to the YAC members before the grant review meeting.  You will be notified of the date, time, and location of the meeting following submission of your proposal.
• If you will not be using a computer or typewriter, please be sure your grant application is legible and written in ink.

If you have questions about the grant application process, please call a program staff member at 877-354-6881.  We would be happy to help!

The SACF YAC Grant deadlines are January 1, April 1, and October 1.  Applications must be sent to P.O. Box 495, Alpena, MI 49707, and be postmarked by the deadline date.

Click here for YAC Grant Application

*SACF requires every grantee to complete and submit a Final Grant Report upon completion of their project.  If your organization is awarded funding, a Final Grant Report form will be sent to you with the grant notification.  You may also get the form here.

Application Guidelines

About your organization

• Your organization must provide benefits to those within the geographic area of Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City. 
• Your organization must be recognized as a non-profit charitable organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.  (Schools and government agencies are also eligible.  Grants to religious organizations will be considered only if they serve the general public and do not have religious overtones of a sectarian nature.)  Proof of non-profit status is required for auditing purposes.
• No grants are made to individuals.
• A representative from your organization will be required to make a brief presentation to the YAC members.  You will be notified of the date and location of the meeting after your proposal has been submitted.

About your project

• Grants are made for future projects only.  No funding will be given for projects completed before final board approval.  Board approval is usually within six (6) weeks of the grant deadline.  Grants are not made for routine operating needs or budget deficits.
• Proposals seeking "seed money" for projects that are new, dynamic, and that show funding support from additional organizations are given stronger consideration.
• The Community Foundation discourages repeated applications for sustained funding of programs.

About funds available

• Applicants may submit requests up to a maximum of $2,500 per application cycle unless otherwise indicated.
• Mini-grants up to $300 are available.  (mini-grant application)
• For accounting purposes, all allocated funds are disbursed upon receipt of documentation of the expenditures.

About deadlines

• YAC grant applications are reviewed three times a year.
• Applications must be completed and submitted (or postmarked) by the deadline date.
• Grants are normally paid within one year of approval.  If necessary, a written request may be submitted for a six (6) month extension.

About allocation decisions

• All allocation recommendations are made by a consensus of the YAC members attending the review meeting.  No staff member votes on decisions regarding fund allocations. 
• All recommendations for allocations must be approved by vote of the Board of Trustees at their quarterly meeting following the application deadline.
• Highest priority will be given to projects or programs addressing the following youth needs as determined by the biannual needs assessment survey:
  1. Teen drug use or drug availability
  2. Alcohol and drunk driving
  3. Lack of recreational facilities
     See complete 2007 SAYAC Needs Assessment Results

Budget Sample

You may use our budget sample to assist you in completing the budget section of your application.  (Budget Sample PDF) 60kb

If you are unable to access pdf files, you may contact our office and we will send you a complete application packet.