The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties announces its Forward Turn Youth Philanthropy Project recently awarded $4,000 in mini-grants to four local nonprofit organizations to fund youth-led projects.

Forward Turn is youth-led charitable grantmaking program that takes a “forward turn” to benefit communities in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties.  In partnership with the Loudoun County Youth Advisory Council (YAC), each year student members of the YAC review grant applications submitted by youth, often in partnership with local nonprofits, schools, or other organizations.  Funding for this annual grant programs is provided by the S. Murray and Mary H.C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project endowment fund of the Community Foundation.  Grants are prioritized for applicants requesting funds for projects that are also led by youth.

This year, a team of five student members of the Youth Advisory Council served on the Forward Turn Grants committee. After learning about the grant proposal process, reviewing applications, and interviewing applicants, they recommended the following grants for the 2021 Forward Turn grant cycle:

  • $1,000 grant to Loudoun Habitat for Humanity to support the creation of welcome baskets providing supplies to new homeowners;
  • $500 grant to MEDLIFE NoVA to support various events in the community supporting Loudoun County;
  • $1,500 grant to This Is My Brave to support their new BraveKids Box mental health subscription box project; and,
  • $1,000 grant to Children’s Science Center to support accessibility to the Youth Advisory Board’s 2022 Earth Day Extravaganza for students in Title I schools.
“Participating in Forward Turn has given me the opportunity to get closer to my community,” said Lalita Durbha, a senior at Briar Woods High School and a member of the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council and the Forward Turn grants committee. “I am able to broaden my knowledge about the work being done by youth and create a chance for their ideas to take off the ground. I have loved being a part of the grant-making process and learning how to read budgets!”

 

To learn more about Forward Turn and to see a list of past years’ recipients, visit: https://communityfoundationlf.org/forwardturn/ 

About the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties

Founded in 1999 by local volunteers, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to grow community giving in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has granted $10 million back into the community including through its Community Emergency Relief Fund in response to Covid19. Donors who include the Community Foundation in their philanthropic vision benefit from low fees, knowledgeable staff, and personal assurance that legal and accounting issues are managed under one cost-effective banner: the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. CommunityFoundationLF.org, GiveChoose.org, and FacesofLoudoun.org (703) 779-3505.