Longmont Youth Council seeking student-driven projects with focus on, passion for community

The Longmont Youth Council, a group of young people established by the city’s Children, Youth and Families Division to encourage participation in government and to advise city council on issues facing youth, is taking applications to fund projects and activities that can positively impact the community.

Applications from Longmont students ages 5 to  18 will be taken through March 19 for projects that will “help (the) community and change the world,” according to the website. 

We are looking for projects that focus on benefiting the Longmont community in the long run,” said Austin Brubaker, a student and head of the Longmont Youth Council Grants Committee. “We are passionate about giving the youth of Longmont a voice in our community. This is a great opportunity to help inspire youth to start projects that benefit Longmont.”

Up to $722 in refundable grant money can be awarded to one or multiple applicants, depending on the number of submissions received. School-age applicants require an adult sponsor to support project participants and who will receive the funding, Brubaker said. 

The Longmont Youth Council has been awarding the grants for more than five years though funding allocated by city council.

Grant recipients will purchase needed supplies and materials for their projects and submit receipts to obtain grant money as a refund for the amount spent. Gift cards are not eligible as refundable expenses, according to a program flyer. 

Participating youth will need to present their project ideas to the Longmont Youth Council grant subcommittee and give follow-up presentations after they are finalized, according to the application form. 

“(This effort) helps the youth know that their voices are heard. … Projects will stand out if they are filled with passion, have extensive research, and a thorough plan of action, Brubaker said. “One small idea can last a long time with proper execution. We have projects from years past that are still running today so it does not necessarily have to be a one-time project.”

The web posting about the program encourages youth to “have fun with this, and bring all your creative ideas to the table. We are very excited to see all the amazing projects that are created.”

To download a  grant application, click here. For more information contact Olga Bermudez, Children, Youth and Families counselor and Longmont Youth Council sponsor, at [email protected] or 303-774-3760.