Youth philanthropy is a powerful challenge to traditional philanthropy, which, in many ways, perpetuates the systems of power and privilege that it claims to address. By putting the decision-making power in the hands of young peopleâparticularly low-income youth of colorâyouth philanthropy redistributes decision-making power to those most impacted.
Building Leaders in Innovative New Giving (B.L.I.N.G.) was founded on yli’s conviction that young people are deeply rooted in their communities and have developed knowledge and expertise from their lived experiences. This knowledge guides B.L.I.N.G.âs youth grantmakers as they discuss applications and award fundingâthey have a sharp sense of what projects will be effective for their communities and which projects will address issues that impact youth.
BLING youth grantmakers have provided up to $100,000 annually to 11-24 youth-led projects that directly address important social justice issues and inequities affecting San Francisco youth and their communities. Click here to take a look at our recent grants.
Interested in funding for your youth-led project?
- Are you between the ages of 14-18 years old?
- Do you attend a high school in the San Francisco Unified School District?
- Are you passionate about social justice?
- Do you have an idea for making San Francisco a better city for youth?
Apply today for a grant to fund your youth-led project! Click here for more information about how to apply and to access the application
Need some support in thinking through your idea and writing it up in a proposal? Got questions? Please email Natasha Zastko at [email protected].
Interested in joining as a youth grantmaker?
Opportunities for paid internships as a BLING Youth Grantmaker are open to all San Francisco youth, ages 14-18. Participants are expected to attend weekly meetings for the duration of the school year, and stipend is based upon active participation in the program.