Youth Endowment Saskatoon (YES)

Young people who care about their communities are increasingly getting involved in philanthropy.

By forming Youth Advisory Councils (YACs) within local community foundations, young people come together to raise money, build endowment funds and make grants to local youth projects. YACs are in their teens and twenties, with a lot of ideas and energy to bring to the table. There are already YACs in more than 55 communities across Canada, and the momentum is building.

In 2004, the Saskatoon Community Foundation launched its own Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Between 2004 and 2012, our YAC enhanced the quality of life for Saskatoon children and youth by disbursing grants from the Batting 1000 Endowment for Children and Youth, a fund created from gifts from many donors who wanted to see youth take a greater role in philanthropy in our community. Beginning in 2013, the Batting 1000 Endowment for Children and Youth was renamed Youth Endowment Saskatoon, and grants made from the fund are now known as YES!  Now, the YAC says YES! to projects for children and youth in Saskatoon!

Focus Areas:

1. Transition Supports

Implementing supports for educational and life transitions for youth. These supports include peer mentorship, life skills and independence education (financial literacy, hygiene, home economics, cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Transitions include from Elementary school to High school, High school to University, unemployed to employed, etc.

2. Celebrating Diversity of Youth Voices and Achievements

Celebrating the diversity of youth initiatives and achievements in the community, to flip the narrative and focus on young people’s strengths.

Integrating youth in decision-making roles through opportunities like youth advisory councils.

3. Access to Youth Services

To provide not just quantity but also quality services directed at youths and their specific needs.

To recognize the diverse experiences and lives of youth and to take that into account when building access to those services.

Special consideration will be given to programs pertaining to food security among youth.

Youth involvement

Youth should be involved in the delivery, planning or implementation of projects, and projects should have a direct impact on lives of youth in Saskatoon or other communities in Saskatchewan.

“In 2022, the Youth Advisory Council wishes to support projects that focus on the theme of inclusively supporting youth during key transitional periods and celebrating their achievements.

2022 Youth Advisory Council

All applications will be reviewed by the Youth Advisory Committee. The YAC will recommend grants for approval by the Saskatoon Community Foundation Board of Directors.

The deadline for applications is March 1st, 2022 at 5:00 pm.