In Youth We Trust (IYWT), the youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, has announced the recipients of the 2024 IYWT Adult/Nonprofit Grants cycle: five programs offered for the benefit of youth in Northern Illinois, collectively awarded $21,153.

The five projects awarded are as follows:

• Boone County Conservation District | $4,890 | Connecting New Conservation Leaders 
• Northwest Community Center | $5,000 | NWCC Youth Football and Educational Program
• Rockford Barbell | $3,763 | Self-Regulation Program (Weightlifting Coach)
• Rockford University | $2,500 | InnovateHER
• VOICES of Stephenson County | $5,000 | VOICES 2024 Youth Summer Camp

Learn more about each of these projects below.

In Youth We Trust Council is made up of high-school-aged youth from across Northern Illinois. The program engages young people in community service and philanthropy. IYWT gives the council members resources and opportunities to help solve problems affecting their peers and their quality of life. This year the IYWT Grant Programs distributed over $40,000 for youth-benefiting projects in the region. IYWT Council Members set grant policy, review youth-inspired service project proposals, and recommend proposals for funding to CFNIL's Board of Directors. Since its inception in 1994 In Youth We Trust has awarded more than $600,000 for youth-led projects! 

2024 IYWT Youth Grant Recipient Project Descriptions:

Connecting New Conservation Leaders
Boone County Conservation District

BCCD has a growing youth volunteer program and will strengthen partnerships with local high schools so that more students can take conservation action. Local high school clubs and classes are invited to participate in field experiences at BCCD sites. Engaging diverse local youth in field experiences empowers them to take action and make choices to support these goals as they enter adulthood and consider future careers. 

NWCC Youth Football and Educational Program
Northwest Community Center

These funds will help provide football equipment, uniforms, and educational materials for program participants.

Self-Regulation Program (Weightlifting Coach)
Rockford Barbell

Rockford Barbell’s self-regulation programs utilize yoga and weightlifting classes to facilitate social-emotional learning. This grant will support hiring a part-time instructor for the program, who will help facilitate social-emotional instruction and provide individual mentorship to youth participants.

InnovateHER
Rockford University

Approximately 30 girls from local middle schools will be invited to a day filled with activity and information at Rockford University to introduce them not only to available resources for girls interested in STEM education but also to generally ignite their passion for a career in the sciences!

VOICES 2024 Youth Summer Camp 
VOICES of Stephenson County

VOICES conducts an annual Summer Kick-Off Camp, a free, weeklong summer day camp for youth entering kindergarten through sixth grade. The camp provides youth with a positive learning environment that will build their self-esteem and teach them about the cycle of violence, healthy relationships, identifying safe people, and personal boundaries.