Youth Council Identifies Grantmaking Priorities Through Annual Needs Assessment

For 25 years, the Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Youth Council has given local high school students an opportunity to learn about their community, understand the needs of young people, and play a meaningful role in making Watertown a better place to grow up.

This year’s Youth Council is continuing that tradition, beginning with one of the most important steps in its annual process: developing a community youth needs assessment.

Over the summer, each of the six Youth Council members met individually with local nonprofit leaders to learn more about their organizations, the people they serve, and the challenges facing Watertown youth. Members then came together to share what they learned, discuss their own perspectives, and identify the needs and opportunities they believe deserve greater attention.

The result is the 2026–2027 Youth Council Needs Assessment, a roadmap that identifies the concerns, strengths, gaps, and challenges members will consider as they learn about the community and prepare for grantmaking.

Mental health, peer pressure, substance use, academic pressure and decisions about life after high school emerged as significant concerns. At the same time, students recognized the many clubs, activities, educational opportunities, nonprofits, teachers, and caring adults already supporting local youth.

Youth Council members also identified several areas for their work to focus on, including accessibility to basic needs, affordable participation in activities, awareness of community resources, and additional academic and mental health support. Challenges such as the stigma of asking for help, negative influences, limited engaging activities, and finding a sense of belonging were also highlighted.

Some themes overlapped, appearing as both a community gap and strength. Youth Council members found insight in this, recognizing that Watertown has strong youth programs, resources, and caring adults, but not every young person can easily find, afford, access, or feel connected to them.

In the months ahead, Youth Council members will use their findings to guide conversations with community leaders, visit local nonprofits, and explore programs addressing the needs they’ve identified. That firsthand learning will help prepare them to make informed grant decisions next spring, directing charitable dollars to projects and programs benefiting local youth.

As Youth Council celebrates its 25th anniversary, this annual process remains at the heart of the program. While the students and community needs have changed over the years, the purpose remains the same: developing young leaders who understand their community and recognize the difference they can make.

>>> Youth Council Chair Kate McElroy (left) and senior member Abby Krueger (right) organize needs assessment findings. Results help to identify granting priorities for the 2026-2027 Youth Council.