The Snow-Redfern Foundation, in partnership with the Panhandle Public Health District, is excited to announce the successful completion of the first Box Butte County Youth Grantmaking Workshop. This innovative project brought together a diverse group of Alliance and Hemingford students, ranging from 6th to 12th grade, to take on the role of grant makers for their community.
The workshop provided a platform for the young participants to review 17 grant applications submitted by individuals, organizations, and groups serving youth in Box Butte County. Through a facilitated decision-making process, the students allocated $15,000 in Snow-Redfern Foundation funds to projects they identified as most impactful for their peers and community.
“This workshop exemplifies our commitment to Participatory Philanthropy,” said Sara Wilcox, Executive Director of the Snow-Redfern Foundation. “By shifting decision-making power to young people, we empower them to take an active role in shaping their communities while developing leadership and critical thinking skills. We believe that youth philanthropy, as a model of participatory grantmaking, is a practice that helps move us towards a democratic, inclusive, and regenerative economy, that will one day be led by these young people”.
Grant Awards:
The Body Shop in Hemingford: Supporting youth-focused outdoor capital project.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes for an Alliance Huddle: Creating a safe space for youth.
The process was designed to center youth voices, cede power to those most impacted by Snow-Redfern grant dollars (youth), and ensure meaningful engagement in philanthropy. Participants carefully evaluated applications, deliberated collaboratively and reached a consensus on how best to distribute funds to address local needs. The workshop also provided an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience with grantmaking, an area traditionally led by adults.
“It was inspiring to watch the students thoughtfully discuss the merits of each application and make decisions that they felt would create the greatest impact,” said Kelsey Sasse with Panhandle Public Health District. “They brought unique perspectives and a deep understanding of their community’s needs.”
The Impact of Participatory Philanthropy
The Youth Grantmaking Workshop aligns with the Snow-Redfern Foundation’s mission to empower youth, inspire change makers, and energize partnerships for impact. By engaging young people directly in the philanthropic process, the foundation is fostering a new generation of leaders who are equipped to make thoughtful, inclusive decisions that benefit their communities.
To further advance these efforts, the Snow-Redfern Foundation recently hired Alliance native, Maycee Quick, as the Youth Engagement Coordinator. In this role, Maycee will assist in creating a statewide youth board that will place youth at the helm of sharing power and decision-making with the foundation. This initiative reflects the foundation’s dedication to shifting traditional power dynamics and empowering young people to lead meaningful change across Nebraska.
This first workshop is just the beginning. The Snow-Redfern Foundation plans to expand this participatory model across Nebraska, providing more opportunities for young people to lead, collaborate, share their voices and talents, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.