Two St. Louis organizations are putting young people in charge of $100,000 in grant funding through a new program designed to let youth lead the way in shaping solutions for their communities.
The initiative, NextGen Grantmakers, was launched by the Deaconess Foundation in partnership with Vision for Children at Risk (VCR). Unlike traditional philanthropy, where adults set funding priorities, the program gives young people the power to design, lead and allocate funds to projects they believe will have the greatest impact for youth.
Proposal submissions will be accepted until Sept. 26 at 11:59 p.m.
A diverse group of youth from VCR’s Youth Advisory Council will receive training in equitable grantmaking practices before deciding how to distribute $100,000 in grant funds. Eligible projects must be youth-led or youth-serving and focused on equity, justice and community impact.
“We believe young people carry wisdom and lived experience that our region urgently needs,” said Bethany Johnson-Javois, president and CEO of Deaconess Foundation. “We trust their voices and stand with the priorities they set.”
VCR will provide mentorship, facilitation and logistical support. Its president and CEO, Sanaria Sulaiman, said the effort is about giving youth genuine influence.
“Youth are not just the future — they are the present, and their voices are essential in shaping the change they want to see,” she said.
Proposal submissions will be accepted until Sept. 26 at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible organizations must serve youth ages 10–24 and align with at least one of the initiative’s three priorities: youth mental health and well-being, safety programming, and leadership development. Funding is available to groups operating in the seven counties Deaconess serves: St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson and Franklin in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair and Monroe in Illinois.
Abraham Blue, a member of the Youth Advisory Council, said the experience has reshaped his outlook on leadership.
“Serving on the Advisory Council has allowed me to connect with my generation through meaningful, solution-driven conversations,” he said. “Focusing on other youth through strategic planning has been at the core of my leadership, and YAC has embodied that vision.”
Organizations can learn more and apply here.
This is beautiful. Too many adults who receive funds make decisions based on politics and are more interested in self-empowerment for career advancement purposes. Thanks to the members of the Deaconess Foundation for recognizing that young people are America’s greatest resource and will more than likely make the best decisions void of politics, based on what they believe will best serve their needs. They are to be commended.