Needs Assessment: Every three years, YAC conducts a needs assessment to identify the community issues most important to young people living in Mason County. The findings from the needs assessment are used to guide the YAC’s grantmaking decisions. In the fall of 2021, a youth needs assessment was completed in our community. Based on assessment results, the following were identified as areas of priority for our local youth:

• Youth Mental Health
• Managing Academic Stress
• Youth Substance Use Prevention

Grantmaking: YAC members help guide distribution of grants to promising youth-related projects in Mason County. Every fall, they review teacher mini-grant applications to support local educators with classroom projects. Each spring, they review applications and award funding to organizations that support youth based on the identified priorities. Since its inception, our YAC has awarded over 350 grants to local youth projects, totaling over $270,000.

Service: Each year, the YAC selects a local service project in which to participate. During the 2021-22 program year, the YAC participated in the Ludington Lake Jump to support the Childhood Cancer Campaign.

Public and private school teachers and counselors in Mason County are eligible to apply. You may only submit one application, and grants are limited to one per classroom and one per teacher per school year. Grants may be up to $500 for specific projects or programs, including program enhancement that meets curriculum guidelines, expanding an already existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development, artists in residence, or parent involvement programs. Grants are not awarded for basic supplies. Applications will be available beginning August 4.

Teacher Mini-Grant Applications due:  September 26, 2025

Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Youth Recreation Grant (New)

The Youth Advisory Council funds Youth Recreation Programs that seek to meet the needs of Mason County youth. All 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies, and governmental units serving youth in Mason County are eligible to apply. The purpose may be to start a new program, enhance an existing program, or open up recreation opportunities for youth.  NOTE:  School-supported sports/recreation programs are not eligible to apply for this grant cycle.

Applications are submitted through our online application system, GLM. You will need to create a new account when logging in if this is your first application in the system. The application will open November 1, 2024, and is due on January 2, 2025.

YAC Youth Recreation 2025 Grant Application due:  January 2, 2025

Youth Advisory Council Competitive Grant Round:

The Youth Advisory Council funds programs that seek to meet the needs of Mason County youth in the following priority areas: youth mental health, teen stress, and youth substance use prevention.  All 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies and governmental units serving youth in Mason County are eligible to apply.

Applications are submitted through our NEW online application system, GLM. NOTE:  You will need to create a new account when logging in to complete your first application on the new system. The application will open on January 1, 2025.

YAC Competitive Grants Applications Due: March 3, 2025

Rich and Beth Kirby, Adult Advisors

2024-2025 Officers

Maggie Autrey, President
Ludington Area Schools

Katie Karboske, Vice President
Ludington Area Schools

Nadia Grierson, Secretary
Ludington Area Schools

Ally Kalchik, Treasurer
Ludington Area Schools

2024-2025 YAC Members

Jordyn Anderson
Ludington Area Schools

Walt Autrey
Ludington Area Schools

Kirsten Bacon
Mason County Eastern Schools

Madison Bearup
Ludington Area Schools

Isabella Brower
Ludington Area Schools

Ava Carlson
Ludington Area Schools

Aubrey Chye
Mason County Central Schools

Aubrey Chye
Mason County Central Schools

Isabella Dotson
Mason County Central Schools

Gabe Grierson
Ludington Area Schools

Benjamin Gronstal
Ludington Area Schools

Katie Gronstal
Ludington Area Schools

Patrick Hart
Ludington Area Schools

Jackson Hoenie
Ludington Area Schools

Evangeline Hradel
Mason County Central Schools

Madilyn Lynn
Ludington Area Schools

Kylie Johnson
Ludington Area Schools

Luke Kwietniewski
Ludington Area Schools

Lydia Kwietniewski
Ludington Area Schools

Annabelle Lowman
Ludington Area Schools

Noah Lowman
Ludington Area Schools

Cora Mahler
Ludington Area Schools

Lucy Shoup
Mason County Eastern Schools

Carley Sova
Ludington Area Schools

Rebeca Weinert
Ludington Area Schools

Reese Willis
Ludington Area Schools

Interested in joining the Youth Advisory Council? Current 8th – 11th grade students who live in Mason County are welcome to apply. Apply now here. Applications are due April 1, 2025.