The Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference has wrapped up, and we’re getting a look at the complete youth advisory council/committee (YAC) experience through a newly released conference wrap-up video, a photo album posted on Facebook and more.

What’s a YAC? Community foundations’ youth advisory councils/committees (YACs) are comprised of high school age grantmakers who work passionately on grantmaking that impacts their communities.

YAC history dates back to the Kellogg Youth Challenge grant, managed by CMF, that led to 84 endowed youth funds overseen by youth being established at every community foundation and affiliate across the state. The grant launched the Michigan Community Foundations’ Youth Project (MCFYP), creating the first YACs. In 1992, the first youth conference was held.

Now, 26 years later, it’s still running strong. The 2018 event welcomed over 300 youth, youth advisory council (YAC) advisors and speakers to Central Michigan University. Guests from Indiana, South Carolina and China were also in attendance to learn about youth philanthropy.

The conference theme was “Ignite: Fuel Action. Spark Change.” - a concept inspired by the MCFYP Committee’s goal to empower active, diverse voices. After months of planning and preparation led by MCFYP Committee members supported by CMF staff, the conference youth participants gathered from June 22 through June 24 for breakout sessions, team building activities and training. In addition to leadership skill building, participants discussed topics such as defining success, inspiring change, understanding mental health challenges, supporting diversity and equity, exploring personal passions, supporting philanthropy in the local community and motivation in grantmaking.

“Open Space” is a unique conference component, creating opportunities for participants to join conversations without the structure of a specific topic, but rather an opportunity to talk openly with peers about any issue of interest. “I absolutely loved open space,” one YACer shared in the post-event evaluation. “It was really cool to be able to talk about issues and life experiences in a safe place.”

Committee members also highlighted the performance by spoken word duo “Kinetic Affect” as a conference favorite. Kirk Latimer and Gabriel Giron shared their unique and difficult life experiences and motivated the youth attendees with inspiring messages about our common humanity and capacity to overcome challenges.

The conference also included the presentation of awards to three YACs for their work in Michigan philanthropy:

• Battle Creek Community Foundation for community service project of the year.

• Hillsdale County Community Foundation Youth for grant of the year.

• Sanilac County Community Foundation YAC for fundraiser of the year.

In addition, the MCFYP Committee presented CMF president and CEO Rob Collier with a resolution announcing him as the first recipient of a new award named in his honor - The Robert S. Collier Passion in Philanthropy Award. The award recognizes an individual dedicated to youth philanthropy and community engagement.

Natalie Green, a third-year MCFYPer who helped present the award, shared: "I still remember meeting Rob my first year on the MCFYP Committee. He was so passionate about youth philanthropy and over time I realized how true that really was. He has not only inspired me personally, but he has made an impact on so many young people at the summer youth philanthropy conference. His contribution to philanthropy is unmatched and will now be permanently recognized at our conference."

The MCFYP Committee is currently accepting applications for committee membership. Applications can be accessed on the CMF website and are due July 31.

Want more?

Watch the video roundup of the 2018 Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference.

Check out the conference photo album.