State Youth and Youth Advisory Councils Announce 2023-24 Mini Grant Recipients | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, NC     The NC Department of Administration's State Youth Council and Youth Advisory Council recently awarded a total of $6,292 through the annual Mini Grant Program to 15 deserving North Carolina-based organizations. This year, grantees received funding ranging from $250 to $500 to create peer-to-peer activities for high schoolers within their communities.

    "For over thirty years, the Youth Advisory Council has supported communities and local youth councils through the Mini Grant Program," said NC Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. "These small grants give young people exposure to the grants application process, encourage creativity in supporting their home communities and hopefully nurture a passion for public service while building their leadership skills."


    Funding is awarded to North Carolina youth councils, local government agencies, non-profit organizations and agencies interested in developing innovative programs that are directed by youth, and involve youth in project development, implementation, evaluation and writing of the grant proposal. Projects funded this year include a mentorship program for at-risk youth, a health and wellness promotional campaign, an afterschool arts and crafts program, and a computer lab. The 2023-24 grant recipients are:

• Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, Hendersonville - A $300 grant will help low-income families receive access to nutritional education including healthy cooking classes.
• BrighterStill, Fayetteville - A $450 grant will support face-to-face mentorship and leadership opportunities for at-risk youth in Cumberland County.
• City of Rocky Mount Area Youth Council - A $500 grant helped support the 2023 Mini Grant Conference.
• City of Winston-Salem Youth Advisory Council - A $500 grant will help fund tutoring sessions, a food drive and a presentation for a local school board to help address disparities among Forsyth County youth.
• Dunn Police Athletic and Activities League - A $500 grant will support an after-school enrichment program for area youth that focuses on nurturing creativity through arts and crafts.
• Fountain of Deliverance Ministry, Fayetteville - A $500 grant will help provide developmental resources and services to local youth experiencing economic hardship. The goals are to create opportunities for positive growth and to help youth explore their gifts and talents.
• Girls for Empowerment, Elizabeth City - A $250 grant will support a Girl Talk Series aimed at giving youth in Pasquotank County a platform to express themselves on various topics.
• LCL Community Services, Fayetteville - A $392 grant will aid in a back-to-school giveaway event in partnership with Walker-Spivey Elementary School.
• Monument of Faith Ministries, Inc., Eden - A $350 grant will help provide a computer lab for local youth. The goal is to create an environment that is safe, supportive, and educational to foster academic enrichment and personal growth.
• Mooresville Youth Council - A $500 grant will provide ongoing support in the creation of an arboretum in honor of David Settles, the Town of Mooresville's Park Services supervisor who passed away in 2023. The goal is to provide a tranquil place for area youth and the Mooresville community while promoting mental health awareness.
• Salisbury Youth Council - A $500 grant will aid in the development of a feminine hygiene pamphlet as well as feminine product bags that will be given out at a local shelter. The goal is not only to provide resources to youth and young adults but to educate them on ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and when to seek medical attention.
• The 21st Century Village Community Learning Center, Inc., Selma - A $500 grant will support the creation of wellness videos. Students will create promotional fitness campaigns to educate and motivate their classmates and families to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle.
• The Poe Center for Health Education, Raleigh - A $500 grant will help to promote Vape Free Week, a campaign to spread awareness on the harmful effects of vaping.
• The Sparrow's Nest Inc. dba The Black Suit Initiative, Greensboro - A $250 grant will fund an afternoon of artistic self-expression among elementary and middle school students who are living in transitional housing or crisis centers.
• Young Women of Promise, Inc., Winterville - A $300 grant will support the "Teens and Kids Who Care" initiative which recognizes and aids youth-led service projects within the community.

    The Mini Grant Program was established in 1977 by the Youth Advisory Council that oversees the State Youth Council. All Mini Grant applications are screened and reviewed by State Youth Councils and the Youth Advisory Council. Applications for the 2024-2025 Mini Grant Program will open this fall.

    For more information on the Mini Grant Program, or to learn more about the State Youth Council and Youth Advisory Council, visit the NC Department of Administration website.

• NCDOA Communications
• Department of Administration
• 116 W. Jones Street
• Raleigh, North Carolina 27603