McYac
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Mecosta County Youth Advisory Council (MCYAC) is to address the needs of the youth of MecostaCounty by way of granting funds for the furthering of their lives.
Goals:
- Assess the needs of the youth in Mecosta County
- Grantmaking
- Fund Raising for the general fund
- Involving youth in Philanthropy
Grant deadlines:
April 1st and October 1st of each year
Grant Application:
Budget Sheet, required with mini grant application (PDF)
What is MCYAC?
MCYAC is the Youth Advisory Council of the Mecosta County Area Community Foundation. These young people are representatives of four schools in Mecosta County: Big Rapids, Chippewa Hills, Morley Stanwood and Crossroads Charter Academy. They are part of the Youth Initiative Program of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which seeks to involve young people in philanthropy, volunteerism and community problem solving.
MCYAC members do an area youth needs-analysis, prioritize problem areas, develop fund raising plans and formulate grant making criteria. The members make grants to youth-oriented projects that reflect the results of their needs-analysis study. The Kellogg Foundation matches fifty cents on the dollar for every unrestricted or “field of interest” donation to a participating community foundation. This money is placed in a special youth field of interest fund, with MCYAC as the advisory committee for grant making. This win-win program gives young people experience in philanthropic work, preparing them to be responsible problem-solving community members, while helping the community foundation grow.
Donation Goals:
This is the 17th year of MCYAC. Students are seeking $15.00 donations from the community to go toward their general fund. All donations are tax deductible.
Community Service:
The students are hoping to adopt a Christmas Family this year. They have washed windows, returned pop cans, planted trees, stuffed envelopes, done valet parking and a coat check service, and collected spare change in the past for donations. Last Christmas the group collected much needed items for WISE, our local women’s shelter.