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The Foundation’s Youth Council has awarded $14,547 to eight area youth-serving nonprofit organizations.
Organizations awarded grants are:
- Boys & Girls Club of Watertown – $2,000 to support the club’s teen program.
- Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, Inc. – $2,000 to help with youth transportation needs through the “Dawg Dayz of Summer” program.
- Goss Opera House – $2,000 for the summer youth arts program.
- Lake Area Zoological Society – $2,000 for the ZooSnooze event.
- Our Little Village Learning Center – $2,000 to purchase supplies for the infant room.
- Watertown Area PACH – $2,000 for food for weekly food bags.
- Watertown Cares – $1,547 for two portable bathtubs, rollaway beds, and other equipment for youth guests.
- Watertown Police Department – $1,000 to support Camp Chance.
The Youth Council promotes philanthropy, community outreach, and leadership. Current Youth Council members are Josie Althoff, Isabella Horning, and Halle Olson, seniors; and Siri Bach, Leila Byer, and Whitney Martinsen, juniors.
Throughout their time on the council, members visit several local nonprofit organizations, host discussions with community leaders, and practice discernment through the grant-making process.
“During my time on Youth Council, I have gained so many new skills and experiences. My favorite part has been going out and seeing first-hand what our local nonprofits are doing to benefit our community,” said senior member Halle Olson. “My eyes have most certainly been opened to what’s going on behind the scenes, it is truly inspiring how tight-knit our community is!”
Identifying Community Needs >>> Each year, the Foundation’s Youth Council members conduct a community SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and use the findings to identify the most urgent needs when distributing grants to local youth-serving organizations.
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