In Youth We Trust Council

In 1993, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois was one of 20 community foundations selected by the Ford Foundation to be part of a program called Changing Communities: Diverse Needs. The Foundation suggested to Ford that the best way to bring a community together was to bring youth together.

In the summer of 1994, the Community Foundation gathered a diverse group of youth inspired by the notion that youth could partner with other youth to improve their community. The In Youth We Trust grant program began in 1995 and since then, the In Youth We Trust Council has recommended the distribution of over $500,000 to local youth led organizations.

The In Youth We Trust Council, made up of high-school-age youth from across the region, engages young people in community service and philanthropy by giving them resources and opportunities to help solve problems affecting their peers and their quality of life.

In Youth We Trust Council members are directly involved in both the In Youth We Trust YOUTH Grant Program and the In Youth We Trust ADULT/NONPROFIT Grant Program. They help set grant policy, review youth inspired service project proposals, and recommend distribution of up to $40,000 each year in grants to selected projects. 

The IYWT Council meets approximately one Saturday morning a month during the school year. As part of the IYWT grant process each year, In Youth We Trust Council members review grant applications for youth-serving projects, evaluate the applications, and interview the applicants. In addition to participating in the grant review program, members take part in many community-building activities including volunteer work and planning community events for youth.

In addition to attending required meetings and activities, IYWT Council members:

• Learn and understand the purpose of IYWT and the mission of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois;
• Learn grantmaking guidelines and procedures;
• Prepare for and participate in grant review meetings;
• Evaluate applications based on guidelines, community impact, and budget;
• Identify and inform the IYWT Council of the needs of youth in the community;
• Advocate for the IYWT program. 

What are the IYWT Council Member Responsibilities? Check out the Attendance Policy and Code of Conduct

The New Member Application opens on August 1st and closes on the first Friday of September, every year.

Mark your calendar for the IYWT Info Bash which is held on he first Saturday in August from 10:00am - Noon.  Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member or receiving a grant can stop by the CFNIL backyard (946 N. 2nd Street, Rockford). We’ll have snacks, music, and yard games. Come get to know current members, ask questions you might have, and meet other youth who want to make an impact on their community!

Applying is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

Step One: Starting on August 1st, review the IYWT Council Informational Letter and the IYWT Calendar for the upcoming year. Make sure you will be able to attend most of the meetings!
Step Two: Complete and submit the online membership application no later than 5:00pm on the first Friday in September.
Step Three: Applicants will be notified within a week of the application deadline if they are being invited to join the Council, and should plan to attend the September IYWT Council Kickoff Meeting as it appears on the IYWT Council Calendar.

If you’re interested in joining or have questions, contact our staff advisors, Heather and Kate, at iywt@cfnil.org.