The Kansas Volunteer Commission has announced the Youth Civic Engagement mini-grant, which supports the civic engagement of youth in grades K-12. For this grant, applicants must engage youth in the planning and implementation of grant activities. Priority will be given to applications that include youth-led and youth-initiated projects.

Research shows that youth civic engagement is critical for a variety of reasons. Youth engagement can lead to increased academic performance and improved social-emotional well-being. It builds safe and inclusive school and community cultures and decreases dropout rates. When young people develop healthy civic habits, skills, and commitments, they become more active in community decision-making which leads to broader representation and community benefit.

All school districts, as well as community-based and youth-serving organizations, are encouraged to apply for the mini-grant opportunity. The grant period is from June 1 – December 31, 2024, and applicants may request up to $5,000. There is a dollar-for-dollar match requirement.

Applications are due March 11, 2024.

For more information, visit https://kanserve.ksde.org/resources/commission-mini-grants/youth-civic-engagement-mini-grant or contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey, Kansas Volunteer Commission executive director, at jdorsey@ksde.org.