Youth Endowment Grants Program

East Tennessee Foundation's Youth Endowment was created in 1987 to serve as a perpetual source of funds to address problems and issues affecting young people in East Tennessee. The fund's primary goal is to support the development of creative solutions which address behavioral, environmental and other factors that place children and youth at-risk in our region.

The Youth Endowment awards two-year grants as seed money, to be used in developing prevention and/or intervention pilot programs, or expanding existing programs for at-risk children and youth. Proposed projects must address and prevent/reduce one or more of the following behavioral or life skill issues: anti-social behavior; school drop-out; alcohol and drug addiction; sexual and emotional abuse; teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; eating disorders; or barriers to gainful employment.

Examples of possible projects include: anti-bullying program for students and teachers; leadership training for underserved youth; teen pregnancy outreach program; and counseling services for young victims of sexual abuse. Youth Endowment grant opportunities are available to all 25 counties in the Foundation's service area.

Grant info:

• Two-year grants
• Grants generally range from $5,000 to $15,000 
• Supports projects between June 1, 2010 - June 1, 2012
• Applicant organizations (or their fiscal sponsor) must have operated as a 501(c)(3) for a minimum of three (3) years.
• Application deadline: December 4, 2009 (postmark)

2010 Youth Endowment RFP (Click here for guidelines and application)

Report Forms for 2010 Youth Endowment Grants (All forms can be completed on-line, but please mail completed report forms with original signatures to the Foundation): 
Revised Project Budget
Progress Report
Final Report

PowerPoint about the Youth Endowment Grants Program presented at the November 2009 Technical Assistance Workshops in Knoxville and Johnson City follows:

Youth Endowment Power Point Presentation

*Please note: The 2010 Youth Endowment RFP is significantly different than previous versions and can now be completed online! (They may NOT be submitted online.)

For further information, please contact Jan Elston (865) 524-1223, toll-free at 877-524-1223 or by e-mail at jelston@etf.org.

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