2026 Youth Grant Cycle Funding Announced

Grant cycles for each fiscal year are kicked off with the Youth Grant Cycle, which is open for applications during the month of January and is awarded to those projects and programs that support young people and families in Branch County and Colon. Once the grant application process closes on January 31st, YAC members review the applications in February and bring their recommendations for funding recipients to the Branch County Community Foundation board in March.

The organizations that received funding included:

• Union City High School

• Branch County Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (BCCADSV)

• Coach Eby Youth & Family Center

• Bronson Rocket Football & Cheer Program

• Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village (SBEV)

• Scout Troop 433 via Kiwanis

• Beginnings Care for Life Center

Project and program information:

Union City High School: High School Therapy Dog

The grant from YAC will support Union City High School's full-time therapy dog to support students struggling with stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation. The Therapy dog, Duke, will also encourage positive school behavior and attendance, provide comfort during testing, counseling, and difficult moments, while building connections and contributing to positive school culture.

BCCADSV: Teenshare Sustainability

This grant will provide support for BCCADSV to maintain the Teenshare houses, which provides shelter to homeless youth who are finishing their high school education.

Coach Eby Youth & Family Center: Keeping our Community Warm: Coats for Kids & Families Initiative

The Coach Eby Youth & Family Center operates the Coats for Kids & Families Room, providing winter wear items to children, families, and individuals throughout the community. This grant will provide funding to purchase essential winter wear items to supplement donated inventory in the Coats for Kids & Families Room.

Bronson Rocket Football & Cheer Program : Safer Youth Football

The Bronson Rocket Football & Cheer program received funding to purchase tackling dummies to introduce proper tackling before contact with teammates. The grant will also provide funding for new pads and helmets for players' safety, a top priority for the program.

Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village: Bronson Community Schools Afterschool Mentoring & Enrichment Program

The grant to SBEV will provide support for a new afterschool program for Bronson Community Schools. The program will provide safe, trauma-informed afterschool mentoring, academic support, and arts and athletics enrichment for students in Bronson Community School District during critical afterschool hours.

Scout Troop 433 via Kiwanis: Interpretive Nature Signs at Waterworks Park

Scout Troop 433 received funding to implement interpretive nature signs at Waterworks Park in Coldwater, to inform and engage local residents is conservation of native species. This is a collaborative project, where Scout Troop 433 will also be working with art students at Coldwater High School, and the City of Coldwater.

Beginnings Care for Life Center: Healthy Relationships Talks in Schools

The grant will provide support for Beginnings Care for Life Center to visit at health classrooms throughout Branch County School Districts, supporting healthy relationships as a key ingredient in the overall health of each individual.