In May of 2008, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors created the Tulare County Youth Commission. The Youth Commission is an eleven-member advisory panel of youth and education experts. The Youth Commission reviews and administers the Step Up Youth Activities Grant process and recommends to the Board of Supervisors which organizations should receive funding and at what levels.
The Step Up Youth Activities Grant Program is designed to provide financial support for non-profit organizations aiming to improve the quality of life for youth in Tulare County. Preference is given to programs specifically working with youth that are in the under-served areas of the County, new start up programs, and programs that leverage other funds.
The Step Up Youth Activities Grant program allocates $50,000 for grants to Tulare County non-profit organizations. There is $10,000 in funding available for each Supervisorial District. Grants are awarded in the amounts of $2,500 or $5,000.
The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency Step UP Committee is charged with reviewing grant applications and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on which organizations should receive funding. The Youth Activities Grant is not intended to be the sole funding source for the organization and its proposed project rather a supplemental fund to aid the program. The Tulare County Board of Supervisors makes the final funding decision.
For more information, please contact Jacob Jimenez, Youth Commission Staff at (559) 624-8074 or email at stepup@tularecounty.ca.gov