Guide to Planning Your YES Grant Project

• Find a need: Look for problems in your community that matter to you. Look for local organizations that can benefit from a service project, collection initiative, or other project ideas.
• Research projects: Check out local groups and activities that match your interests. Ask these groups what needs they have.
• Consider what you can give: Think about the skills and resources you have to offer.

2. Create a Team (If You Want)

• Work together: Teamwork can make your project bigger and better by adding different ideas.
• Share the vision: Make sure everyone agrees on the project goals.
• Set clear roles: Give each person a job to make things run smoothly and avoid confusion.

3. Make a Project Plan

• Set your goals: Write down what you want to achieve. Make sure your goal(s) will address the needs identified and support the local organization or group.
• Plan your activities: Make a timeline with all the tasks and when they should be done.
• List resources: Think about what materials, tools, and people you’ll need.
• Create a budget: Figure out the costs. Will the requested amount of YES Grant funding cover the budget. If not, where else could funds come from? Consider how you could make the project sustainable if it is a long-term project.

4. Carry Out Your Project

• Stay organized: Use a planner or a simple calendar to keep track of everything.
• Communicate clearly: Keep your team and others involved in the loop.
• Be flexible: Change your plan if you run into problems.
• Document your work: Take pictures and notes to remember and share what you did.

5. Reflect, Review and CELEBRATE!

Indiana 4-H Foundation 

Youth Engaged Service (YES) Grant Qualifications

1. Indiana 4-H Foundation YES Grants may be used for the direct operation of the project, transportation, and recognition of the project participants. Recognition of the participants cannot exceed 25% of the grant award.

2. Should the applying group/organization be working in conjunction with an additional organization (separate from any 4-H entity), that organization must be a not-for-profit and be able to show proof of not-for-profit status or be affiliated with a not-for-profit organization that can receive monies for the group. (Public schools are not required to show proof of not-for-profit status.)

3. To qualify for funding:

• • • Youth Lead must be 7th Grade or above at time of application
    • Project must address a community need, while reflecting and maintaining youth/community partnerships.
    • Project must be planned and implemented by an individual youth or youth group. Youth are the driving force behind the planning, fundraising and execution of said project.
    • Provide detailed budgets outlining exact allocations of grant funds.
    • Projects offer opportunities for serving, working, and developing life skills.

4. The grant money may be used for:

• • • Supplies and materials the youth will use in their project
    • Expenses involved in youth planning meetings
      Transportation to project sites
    • Training directly related to the service project
    • Relevant project marketing
    • Volunteer recognition

5. The grant money may not be used for the following:

• • • Staff salaries or youth wages
    • Mileage / gas reimbursement
    • Major equipment purchases
    • Field trips outside Indiana
    • Religious instruction or conduction of worship services
    • Fundraising or direct donations to other organizations
    • Political endorsement or in combination with political party activities

Note: Grant selection will be made by the Indiana 4-H Foundation YES Grant Committee.

Guide for Adults Supporting YES Grant

Youth Participants

· Read all documents and familiarize yourself with the purpose, process and timing.

· Ensure the youth have read through the application and understand the process.

2. Discuss project ideas.

· Help youth identify what they are passionate about.

· Ask probing questions that can help uncover their passions and ideas such as:

o What problem(s) do you want to solve?

o Who do you want to help?

o What are your interests?

· Assist youth with brainstorming possible project ideas. Help them to uncover what they would like to do and guide them.

· Consider short-term and long-term projects. If it is a long-term project, make sure to consider sustainability of the project.

3. Be a connector.

· Assist youth with creating a network of connections in the community such as individuals, partner organizations or beneficiaries.

o Remind youth to check with possible beneficiaries for needs to ensure their project is one that will be beneficial.

o Remind youth to look for potential partnerships with businesses and other organizations in the community.

o Let the youth contact people and organizations.

4. Let the youth lead.

· Be a cheerleader. Encourage youth through the project, but don’t pressure them.

· Let youth work through challenges. If they struggle or fail it is ok. You are there as a safety net.

· Celebrate the youth as they hit milestones, work through setbacks and as they complete the project.