Evanston opens applications for Youth Climate Action Fund

The city opened applications Wednesday for the Youth Climate Action Fund, which will award microgrants to young residents for climate action projects in Evanston. 

Evanston was among 300 cities worldwide that were awarded $50,000 by Bloomberg Philanthropies to fund grants for youth ages 15 to 24. Grants will amount to between $1,000 and $5,000. 

Applicants are asked to outline their idea for a project that addresses climate change in their community, such as a community garden or a public service announcement campaign related to public transportation. 

“This program really is for any young Evanstonian who’s looking to make an impact in their community,” said Olin Wilson-Thomas, an intern for the city who is working on the program.

The city is also seeking nonprofit sponsors to receive and distribute the grant money and provide mentorship to the youth recipients. Each partner organization can work with up to three recipients. 

Applicants can specify in their application if there is a specific organization they wish to partner with, but the city has a “wide range of nonprofits” willing to participate, said Kirsten Drehobl, the city’s sustainability and resilience coordinator.

The city is holding a public kickoff for the program at 1 p.m. July 24 in City Council chambers. 

The program’s selection committee will meet twice to review applications and will make final determinations in September. Applications for the first round of review are open through Aug. 5. The second round is open through Aug. 27.

The program can allocate up to $10,000 of the funds provided by Bloomberg toward staff expenses, which allows them to award between eight and 50 grants, Wilson-Thomas said.

“We’re hoping to spend very little money on staff expenses and outreach,” Drehobl said. “We’re hoping to be really, really close to [the] maximum $50,000 getting into the community.