United Way Fox Cities Youth Board
MISSION STATEMENT:
We are an organized voice for the youth of our community helping young people make a postive impact by promoting the objectives of United Way Fox Cities and creating a spirit of community service.
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A YOUTH BOARD MEMBER:
Youth Board Members are sophomore through senior high school students from the Fox Cities who are interested in becoming more involved and engaged in their school and community. Youth Board members attend bi-monthly meetings, participate in volunteer projects, distribute grant funding to help youth-focused organizations, and help plan and run the empowering Teen Symposium event. Interested in applying for the Youth Board? Please scroll down for even more information!
Meeting Information:
The United Way Fox Cities Youth Board meets monthly on rotating Mondays in the evening.
Meetings are held at the United Way office: 1455 Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952, 920-954-7210
Volunteer Projects:
Youth Board Members participate in community volunteer projects with organizations in our own community! Many members get to learn more about United Way Fox Cities and all the partnering agencies.
Examples of Community Volunteer Projects:
- Decorate St Joe's Food Program
- Freaky 5K
- Collection for Coats for Kids
- Plan events for Best Friends Neenah/Menasha
- Help at the Community Christmas Event at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
- Ring bells for the Salvation Army
Grant Funding Opportunities for Youth-Focused Organizations:
Twice a year the United Way Fox Cities Youth Board evaluates grant applications submitted by local youth-focused organizations. Once grant applications are submitted all organizations are requested to make a brief presentation of their program to the Youth Board. These presentations take place at the regularly scheduled Youth Board meetings. With a maximum of $500 awarded per youth organization, applications can be picked up at the United Way office or printed online.
The Fall 2022 Grant Application is now closed. Please check back in spring for the Spring 2023 Application!
Who Decides How the Money is Distributed?
The Youth Board members do!
Youth Board members take into consideration the following factors for each program to arrive at the final funding recommendations:
- Program and fiscal management
- Program community impact
- Need for the program.
- Quality and accuracy of the application
- Program presentation
- Level of youth involvement in planning and implementation of the program
Based on these criteria, Youth Board leaders present the funding recommendations to the United Way Fox Cities Board of Directors. After the Board of Directors approves the recommendations, applicants are notified and grants are distributed.
Teen Symposium:
Each year in early February, 300 Ninth graders from area high schools participate in a day of activities to help build, develop and reinforce leadership skills. Youth Board members help plan and run Teen Symposium with many exciting leadership activities. Please visit the Teen Symposium webpage for more information!
Want to Apply to become a Youth Board Member:
New and returning Youth Board members must complete a Youth Board Application, which requires a parent signature for anyone under the age of 18. Interested students should thoroughly answer each question and bring or mail the application to the United Way Fox Cities office.
For more information or for any questions please contact, Mandi Dornfeld, Youth Board Advisor and Teen Symposium Coordinator at the United Way Fox Cities. E-mail Mandi.dornfeld@unitedwayfoxcities.org or call (920)954-7210.
