Topeka Youth Commission Offering Grants To Fund Local Youth Projects

With assistance from the Topeka Community Foundation, the Topeka Youth Commission is administering the Topeka Youth-Led Granting Initiative for the 2021-2022 term.

The Topeka Youth-Led Granting Initiative will provide $10,000 in funding to projects led and directed by youth in the Topeka and Shawnee County area. Youth under the age of 21, accompanied by a local organization, may apply for up to $2,000 in funding for a project of their choice that falls under the specified theme.

Awards will be determined by members of the commission, based on the quality and strength of the project presented. The theme for the 2021-2022 Youth Development Fund is Stay785, which was also the theme for the 2020-2021 term.

“The Topeka Community Foundation has been grateful to partner with the youth commission and impressed with all of the young people applying for funding through Stay785’s inaugural year,” said Abby Price, the community foundation’s philanthropic services associate. “We are so inspired by this work of introducing grantmaking and philanthropy to a younger generation and are hopeful we will see many thoughtful and creative projects brought to our community this year.”

The goal of Stay785 is to give youth in the community an opportunity to choose what they wish to see in Topeka and bring their vision to life. Applicants’ projects should seek to improve Topeka and Shawnee County, with the goal of keeping and attracting youth to the area. Examples of potential initiatives include, but are not limited to, murals, beautification projects, local events, modernization of attractions, etc.

Grant applications may be found on the Topeka Youth Commission website. To access the application or learn more about the initiative, visit www.visittopeka.com/topeka-youth- commission.

Past recipients may also be viewed on the commission’s social media pages.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 20.

Questions and interview requests may be directed to the Topeka Youth Commission, at TopekaYouthCommission@gmail.com.