Communities of Opportunity - Youth & Adult Partnership Initiative Grants

Program Objectives
Support the Co-Op mission of strengthening communities by developing and strengthening local youth leadership programs. The program will focus on developing leadership skills, creating awareness of local issues and providing an opportunity to develop projects that are youth-led and address real community needs. YAPI teams will receive training, educational resources, a template for implementation and grants to support their efforts.

Click here to download a copy of the YAPI Grant Application and Impact Statement.

Grant Amounts
Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $700 to $1500 based on size, scope and merit of program/project.

YAPI Teams will receive 75% of the money upon approval and the remaining 25% upon submission of the Impact Report.

Deadline
In order to provide flexibility for counties, there will not be a set application deadline.
Grants that meet the guidelines will be approved as applications are received.
Grant funds should be spent and Impact Reports submitted within a year.

Grant Training Resources
4-H Essential Elements, 40 Developmental Assets & The Lerner Study on Positive youth Development
YAPI Grant Application and Impact Statement PDF

Grant Guidelines
Grant guidelines are designed to make sure that grant requirements are flexible enough to work in different settings, but specific enough to insure accountability. They insure that the Co-Op Implementation Team is aware of YAPI Programs but provides enough autonomy to make sure that youth participants have the freedom to make meaningful decisions necessary for the development of strong leadership skills.

1. YAPI Programs must involve youth in “Community Youth Development”, a process that encourages and empowers young people and adults to create change in their communities and work together as partners.

2. YAPI teams will report their activities to the Co-Op Team regularly.
YAPI teams should recruit and identify a member of the Co-Op team as the YAPI Contact Person.

3. YAPI teams will work to support the issues identified by Co-Op team whenever possible.

4. YAPI teams must attend a regional YAPI training or have technical support provided through Georgia 4-H or Fanning Institute in order to receive grant funds.

5. YAPI participants must make every effort to employ the research based youth development practices presented at their Regional YAPI Training and detailed in the curriculum provided as they develop their program.

6. YAPI Programs must be open to youth and adults from a variety of community organizations and make an effort to engage a diverse group of community partners.

7. YAPI programs can involve youth of any age. However, efforts should be made to engage elementary aged youth.

8. Ideally the YAPI Program will establish, or strengthen, an ongoing process by which youth and adults from the community work together to identify and address local issues. While grant funds can certainly be used to fund projects, the ultimate goal is for youth to be provided with opportunities to cultivate leadership skills as they make meaningful decisions regarding the activities of the YAPI Program.

9. Funds will be administered from the University of Georgia , State 4-H Office and must be processed through the local County Extension Office.

10. Articles and/or promotional materials must mention the “Communities of Opportunity Youth Adult Partnership Initiative.”

Please contact Jeff Buckley at the UGA State 4-H Office
706-542-4H4H - jbuckley@uga.edu – www.georgia4h.org/yapi/