Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council is a group of young leaders, ages 12–21, making real funding decisions for programs that matter to local youth across Marinette and Menominee Counties.
Where Giving Grows
Youth Leadership
The Youth Advisory Council is one of the most powerful expressions of where giving grows — because it starts with young people themselves.
As a permanent advisory committee of MMACF, YAC members identify local youth needs, evaluate grant applications, and make funding recommendations from the Foundation's endowed Youth Advisory Council Fund. This isn't a resume builder — it's a genuine leadership opportunity where young voices shape community investment.
- Real grantmaking responsibility, not just observation
- Community service and philanthropy education throughout the year
- Direct connection to Foundation board, staff, and donors
- Lasting impact for young people across Marinette and Menominee Counties
What YAC Members Do
YAC membership is active, meaningful, and fun. Members take on real responsibilities that develop their skills in philanthropy, leadership, and community engagement — and have a genuine impact on the lives of young people across Marinette and Menominee Counties.
Grantmaking
YAC members lead a real grantmaking process — reviewing applications, conducting site visits, and making funding recommendations from the Foundation's endowed Youth Advisory Council Fund. Grants are targeted toward needs identified through community needs assessments and responsive to the most pressing issues facing local youth.
Community Service
The YAC participates in a minimum of two community service projects each year, often in partnership with local nonprofits. These projects deepen members' connection to the community and reinforce the values of civic engagement and service that guide the YAC's work.
Fund Development
YAC members actively participate in growing the endowed Youth Advisory Council Fund — helping ensure that the resources available for youth grantmaking continue to grow year after year, creating lasting impact for future generations.
Training & Conferences
YAC members are encouraged to attend regional and statewide training opportunities, including the Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference. These experiences connect members with young philanthropists from across Michigan and strengthen their leadership skills.
Leadership & Representation
At least one YAC member serves as a voting member on the M&M Area Community Foundation's Board of Trustees — bringing the youth perspective directly into Foundation governance. Members also interact formally and informally with Foundation board members, staff, and donors throughout the year.
Who Can Join The YAC?
The YAC is open to young people ages 12–21 who live in or have strong ties to Marinette and Menominee Counties. We actively seek members who reflect the many forms of diversity found in our local youth community — including diversity of race, gender identity, school, and socioeconomic background.
No prior experience in philanthropy or grantmaking is required. What matters most is a genuine interest in your community, a willingness to show up and engage, and a desire to grow as a leader.
You might be a great fit for the YAC if you:
- Care about your community and want to make a difference
- Are willing to show up consistently and engage with the process
- Want to learn how philanthropy and grantmaking work from the inside
- Are interested in growing as a leader alongside peers who share your values
Commitment:
The YAC holds a minimum of seven official meetings each year, plus community service projects, training opportunities, and grantmaking activities. Members are expected to participate actively and consistently throughout their term.
Youth-Led Giving in Action
Each year, the YAC awards grants to nonprofits and programs that are making a difference for young people across Marinette and Menominee Counties. Guided by community needs assessments and the priorities of local youth, these grants reflect what matters most to the next generation of community leaders.
Healthy Youth Coalition
Can You Escape the Vape?
Too many middle schoolers in Marinette and Menominee Counties underestimate the risks of e-cigarettes — and the Healthy Youth Coalition is changing that with a game. "Vape Escape" kits walk students through the real health and financial costs of vaping using puzzles, clues, and hands-on activities. Three kits will reach all 12 school districts in the two-county area, with older HYC student members facilitating the experience for younger peers. The HYC has reduced youth substance use by 10–20% across multiple categories over its 25-year history — and this is the next chapter of that work.
M&M Children’s Museum
STEM Exhibit
The M&M Children's Museum doesn't have walls yet — but that hasn't stopped it from reaching kids. A portable Sail Car exhibit, funded through this grant, traveled to 10+ community events in 2024, bringing hands-on STEM learning directly to families across the region. Children ages 0–12 experiment with sail shapes, angles, and wind to discover the physics behind sailing — a nod to the Lake Michigan heritage right in our backyard. For rural and underserved communities with limited access to museum-quality learning, this exhibit brings the museum to them.
DAR Boys & Girls Club
Keeping the Club Accessible
When a bus company sale caused transportation costs to jump from $8,500 to nearly $23,000 overnight, the DAR Boys & Girls Club faced a difficult choice: pass those costs on to families or lose kids who needed after-school support most. MMACF's youth grantmakers stepped in. This grant keeps fees low so students from the Marinette School District can still ride to the Club after school — where they receive free meals, homework help, STEM programming, and mentorship from caring adults. The DAR Boys & Girls Club has served youth in this community for more than 110 years.
Ready to Make a Difference?
YAC membership is unlike most extracurricular opportunities — because the stakes are real. Members review grant applications, make funding recommendations, and direct dollars to programs serving young people right here at home.
If you're between 12 and 21 and ready to invest in your community, we want to hear from you. Reach out to our team to learn more about YAC membership, meeting schedules, and the application process.
Serve at the Highest Level: Youth Board Member
The M&M Area Community Foundation is currently seeking a Youth Board Member to serve as a voting member on the Foundation's Board of Trustees.
This is a rare and meaningful opportunity for a young person to have a direct voice in the governance and direction of a community institution. As a Youth Board Member, you will participate in Board meetings, contribute to Foundation-wide decisions, and represent the perspective of young people across Marinette and Menominee Counties — alongside experienced community leaders, donors, and philanthropists.
What This Role Involves:
- Attend and participate in Foundation Board of Trustees meetings
- Represent the youth perspective in Foundation governance decisions
- Engage with Foundation donors, staff, and community leaders throughout the year
- Serve as a bridge between the YAC and the full Board
Who Should Apply:
This opportunity is open to current or prospective YAC members between the ages of 12 and 21 who are passionate about their community, comfortable in a leadership setting, and ready to take on a meaningful role in Foundation governance. Prior YAC experience is helpful but not required.
Interested?
Reach Out to KaitlinIf you're interested in learning more about the Youth Board Member opportunity, we encourage you to reach out directly to Kaitlin Deschane, Program and Operations Director of the M&M Area Community Foundation. Kaitlin would love to connect with you and answer any questions you have about the role.
Part of Something Bigger
The YAC is an integral part of MMACF. Members interact with the Foundation's board, staff, and donors throughout the year, and YAC activities are featured in the annual report, newsletters, and community communications. The YAC also conducts an annual self-assessment to evaluate its own strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and ensure the council remains effective and responsive to local youth year after year.
The YAC also conducts an annual self-assessment, evaluating its own strengths, challenges, and opportunities for growth. This commitment to ongoing reflection and improvement ensures the YAC remains effective, equitable, and responsive to the needs of local youth year after year.
At the core of everything the YAC does is a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion — in grantmaking, in recruitment, in fund development, and in every decision the council makes together.
Young Leaders Wanted.
The YAC is actively welcoming new members. If you're between 12 and 21 and ready to invest in your community, we want to hear from you.
