The community foundation's Youth Advisory Committee and Youth Fund, started in 1990 with a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, directs the energy and commitment of our area's young people to solve the problems and challenges shared by their peers. The programs supports youth as decision makers in our community, and through encouraging service, volunteerism, and philanthropy, develops community leaders, both today and tomorrow.

Each month, these high school students meet to discuss needs and issues facing youth in our community. They review grant proposals and make recommendations for funding from the Youth Fund, awarding from $50,000 to $70,000 in grants each year. They participate in service projects and have developed an educational program in Youth Philanthropy that is presented each year at the area middle schools.

A traditional activity is the adoption of families for Christmas and the purchasing for gifts and a holiday meal. This past Christmas, six families were adopted though the Salvation Army. Gifts are carefully chosen for each member of the family, wrapped, tagged, and delivered with a gift card for the family's holiday meal. Youth committee members have described this activity as a powerful experience in giving and sharing oneself with others.