GABY focuses on giving, service and grantmaking for living well

by Yumi Sera, Program Officer
Sacramento Region Community Foundation

The Grants Advisory Board for Youth (GABY) supports young people to engage in their community by sparking their interest in giving and taking action on issues that are important to them. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation has launched its updated “e-learning course” for youth and request for grant proposals for “living well.”

GABY stimulates youth-led community action by providing a web-based platform to explore interests and teach skills to organize projects. Under an organizational sponsor, teams of youth can compete for grants up to $500 to support “living well” activities for their schools, communities and neighborhoods.

GABY asks that you let us know what it takes for you and your community to live a quality life. Examples of projects may include working in a community or school garden, cleaning up the neighborhood vacant lots, or organizing a multicultural festival to promote understanding.

The e-learning course includes:

Gift of Giving: Explore ways to give to the community and discover the causes you care most about.

Learning to Serve: Inspire and build a team, commit to community service and create change through a step-by-step interactive project planning process.

Grantmaking for Living Well: Learn to articulate your vision and how to apply for grant funds.

GABY provides grants up to $500 for youth-led projects in Sacramento and Yolo counties that focus on living well. The deadline for grant applications is Dec. 16. All eligible applicants are required to present their projects in person at a workshop on Jan. 30 at Sacramento State University.

Registration is simple. Visit the GABY 2.0 Web site. You will create your own unique user account that will give you access to many of the interactive components designed just for you.

Send us an e-mail at gaby@sacregcf.org or give us a call (916.921.7723) if you want us to make a presentation to your group! Download the GABY 2009 flier below.

GABY is supported by Sacramento Region Community Foundation and Sierra Health Foundation.