Bold youth-led initiatives address local needs as Community Foundation Grey Bruce joins national community challenge.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce is joining the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge, providing a total of $30,000 in grants with $15,000 available each in Grey and Bruce Counties for youth-led projects that address diverse and urgent local priorities.
“This is incredibly exciting for not only youth, but for the entire community” says Executive Director Stuart Reid, “From the Vital Conversations held by the Foundation in 2017 and the Vital Focus on Youth Report released in April 2019, it is clear youth have a voice and want to be heard. There are many pressing issues important to area youth and to have the opportunity to find creative solutions and truly be a part of the outcome is a great way to make a difference in the community.”
The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge will enable youth to apply for funding to support their bold ideas to address urgent community priorities. It is an opportunity for young people to lead, learn new skills, gain experience, and build relationships in their local communities—all things that will help them prepare for their future career skills.
This Community Challenge goes far beyond Grey Bruce. Participating community foundations across Canada will make grants and learning opportunities available to youth-led initiatives in 150 communities from coast to coast. As a whole, the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge aims to empower Canadian youth for the jobs and community realities of the future.
“Young people are already demonstrating tremendous leadership in communities in Canada and across the world. Look no further than the massive youth-led initiatives such as global student marches against climate change. The RBC Future Launch Community Challenge is an exciting opportunity to help shift power into their hands further, by bringing them to the decision-making table where they can lead in developing solutions for the future,” says Andrew Chunilall, CEO of Community Foundations of Canada.
“RBC believes strongly in the power, vision and potential of youth, and the influence they can have in their communities,” said Mark Beckles, senior director, Youth Strategy and Innovation, RBC. “That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Community Foundations of Canada to help young people make a difference in communities across Canada while building the 21st century skills needed to prepare for the future of work."
Grant applications will be accepted between May 22 and September 18, 2019. Visit http://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/grants/ and look for the RBC Future Launch Challenge link or contact Wendy Bachiu at Community Foundation Grey Bruce for more information.
Participating in the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge builds on the Community Foundation’s long-time support to local youth and youth leadership through its mission: encourage endowment building and facilitate philanthropic partnerships within all communities in Grey and Bruce Counties; support residents by granting to community projects by nonprofit organizations and providing scholarships, bursaries or awards to students; and provide leadership in identifying community issues and convening discussion on those issues.
For more information and to support Community Foundation Grey Bruce, visit http://www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/ or call 519-371-7203.
source: media release, Community Foundation Grey Bruce
