Through an opportunity provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, GACF was able to start an arm of our community foundation in May of 1993 to specifically provide youth participation in philanthropy. That group is called the Greenville Youth Advisory Council or GYAC. Locally raised funds combined with matching funds from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides an endowment fund of over $1,000,000 for the GYAC to use to award grants that benefit youth related needs in the community. Members of this very active and involved group come from Greenville high school & middle school and are learning first-hand about the importance of community involvement and philanthropy.
The Greenville Youth Advisory Council Mission Statement
The three “E‘s” of the Greenville Youth Advisory Council’s mission is to make a difference by Empowering youth, Enhancing life and Enriching the community.
The GACF Board of Trustees, GYAC Advisors and staff strive to mentor the members of the GYAC in hopes of sharing their experiences in the non-profit world generally and in philanthropy as a facet of a successful, fulfilled community citizen, specifically.
The YAC Advisors are Emily Mason and Hollie Stephenson. Emily Mason can be reached by email or phone at 616.225.1000 ext. 8327, and Hollie Stephenson by email or phone at 616.225.1000 ext. 8121, with questions on how to become a YAC member or how to apply for a grant.
GYAC Members 2011-2012 – Front row: Teresa Larez, Hylie Horn, Destiny Wellman, Wanda Sankey, Jake Jazuzelli. Middle row: Jordan House, Kenzie Hansen, Mackenzy Nichols, Kylee Moody, Alyssen Neumann, Rachel Taft, Kate Karpus, Hailey MacMillen, Ana Holmes, Mikayla Davis, Rebeka Hamman, Taylor Baker. Back row: Jamie Hallas, Megan O'Brien, Austin McNeal, Torey Davis, Tyler Rasmussen, Carter Magirl, Nancy Fitzgerald, Brandon Brom, Taylor Zimmer. Missing: Megan Altizer, Dana Brom, April Staten
To download a copy of the GYAC grant application in Microsoft Word format, click on the link below.
