Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) brings together mid-Michigan teens to lead and serve their community.
For nearly 30 years, our local youth have been giving back for social good. YAC members award thousands of dollars each year in grants to local youth-serving organizations.
Thinking about joining the YAC? Click HERE to submit your profile information.
Parental Permission Form for joining YAC can be found HERE.
What is YAC?
Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) surveys the needs of local youth, makes grants from the Youth Fund to address these needs, and partners with local youth-serving organizations to support and bring awareness to issues that affect teens. Grant award decisions are made BY youth, FOR youth.
In 2026, the YAC granted more than $73,000 to youth-serving organizations in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties! A few are:
All of the Above Hip Hop Academy - $5,000 to support their 3-year applied arts fellowship, in which participants join a community of young artists to pursue artistic & professional goals & develop social-emotional & leadership skills.
Eaton Rapids Interact Club - $4,000 to support the activities of this group, including stocking their food pantry at the high school, conducting community service projects such as Pink Out, Earth Day, and March’s Reading Month.
Eli's Project - $5,000 to support QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training, which addresses the problem of suicide by equipping everyday people with the skills to recognize warning signs, intervene, and connect someone in crisis to the help they need. It is designed to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives through early detection and timely action.
Gospel Army Black History Group (USCT 102nd, Company C) - $1,200 to support this living history program with student educators who actively research, interpret, and present African American Civil War history. Students present at schools, libraries, parades, festivals and other community events, reaching peers and adults alike. In the process, they build leadership, public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking skills while developing pride in their heritage and a stronger sense of civic responsibility.
Grit, Glam and Guts - $5,000 to support GGG programming which provides underserved girls ages 12–17 with culturally responsive programming that addresses inequities in education access, mental health, and social-emotional development. GGG centers teen wellness, leadership, self-identity, and academic readiness through community chapters, a summer camp program, & teen conferences.
Every three years, YAC conducts a Youth Needs Assessment survey to identify the top challenges affecting local teens to direct grant funding.
View the results of the most recent survey below!
Funding:
The local Youth Endowment Fund is invested carefully by the Capital Region Community Foundation, to grow over time and increase the availability of grant funds each year. YAC members also fundraise to support grantmaking and re-investing in the Youth Fund. Supporting the Youth Fund is a great way to ensure youth programs can continue in the tri-county region!
Please contact us with any questions.
LaToya Turner, YAC Advisor
517-664-9857
lturner@ourcommunity.org
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