FLINT, Mich. — As part of its centennial celebration, the Mott Foundation is empowering young people to give back to their community through a new grant program.
The Mott Foundation Youth Choice Awards invites Flint youth and teens, with the support of an educator or program organizer, to share their ideas for improving the community and apply for one of 100 grants, each valued at $1,926, to help bring those ideas to life.
Two application deadlines during the school year, Feb. 20 and Oct. 9, are intended to give students ample time to design and complete their projects.
“Flint kids are changemakers and future entrepreneurs,” said Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Mott Foundation. “I’m excited to see how they want to help their community and what projects they’ll propose.”
In line with the Foundation’s focus on engaging young people in decision-making, the awards will operate as relay grants. Foundation staff will select the first five projects to receive funding, and those recipients will then choose the next five projects. The process will continue until all grants are awarded, with up to 50 projects selected in each application pool.
“Incorporating a relay element to this program was important to us. It not only invites our young people to develop and propose a new idea, but it also empowers them to choose another project to support in their community,” said Kimberly Roberson, Flint Area program director.
Eligible participants include:
- K-12 students attending a school within the city limits of Flint.
- K-12 students attending a school that’s part of the Flint Center for Educational Excellence’s Network for School Excellence.
- K-12 students participating in a program at a community-based organization in Flint with 10 or more actively enrolled students. The program must have 501(c)(3) status.
Each project must be submitted by an adult advisor or teacher. For more information or to apply click here.