Grantmaking Reimagined

All too often, grantmaking happens behind closed doors. The resulting funds shape communities quietly, without input from the people closest to the work. Now, Milwaukee Succeeds and Youth Forward MKE are flipping the script, not only inviting young people into the room but trusting them to move resources where they’ll have the greatest impact.

The Youth-Led Grantmaking Project puts youth on both sides of the process, with teams of young leaders pitching projects that matter to them and a Youth Review Panel scoring their proposals. Ultimately, four youth-centered projects will be chosen, with each receiving a $2,500 grant.

“This initiative is about trust,” says Maria Hamidu, the Youth Forward MKE project manager. “We’re trusting young people to identify what matters most in their communities and to move resources where they’ll have an impact, while helping us shift from talking about youth voice to investing in it.”

Youth-Led and Youth-Focused

The project gives young people real power to shape how resources move through Milwaukee. Teams of youth, supported by a 501(c)(3) organization and an adult mentor, will design and propose projects rooted in a clear community benefit and aligned with one of Youth Forward MKE’s four priorities – youth leadership, mental health, data and research, or systems change. We’re looking for projects created by youth, led by youth, and grounded in what they see and experience every day.

Behind the scenes, a Youth Review Panel made up of four young leaders from the Autonomous Youth Council and partner organizations will review their proposals, provide feedback and recommend which projects should receive funding. It’s a deliberate shift of power, moving decision-making out of closed rooms and into the hands of our young people.

By putting youth in both roles – applicants shaping projects and reviewers making funding decisions – the program ensures that these grants reflect what young people know their communities need.

“This project allows the youth to be the current and future leaders of our community, giving them access to enough resources to dream big about what’s possible and act productively,” says Franz Meyer, a member of the project team and director of community programming at Teach For America-Milwaukee. “I hope that the youth who participate in this project view themselves as leaders who can demand a seat at the table and improve their community directly, rather than waiting for someone else.”

The Grantmaking Conference

The Youth-Led Grantmaking Conference on March 7 will mark the official start of the project. This full-day event, featuring skill-building sessions and hands-on learning, will set the stage for inspiring projects and informed funding decisions. Participants will sharpen their ideas, practice proposal writing and grant review, and get an inside look at how real funding decisions are made.

By the end of the day, teams will walk away with clear project plans, practical skills, and a stronger understanding of how nonprofits and grantmaking work. The conference will also create space for young people to connect across neighborhoods, exchange perspectives and see how their ideas can move from concept to community impact.

Support and Check-Ins

The support doesn’t stop there. After the conference, applicants will be able to attend virtual office hours to ask questions, receive feedback and refine their proposals even further. Grant submissions will close in early May, after which the Youth Review Panel will take the lead, scoring proposals and recommending which projects receive funding.

This funding won’t be the finish line, though. After the grants are awarded, Milwaukee Succeeds will support each team as they put their project into action, ending the summer with a final evaluation focused on learning, growth and community impact.

Investing in the Next Generation

The Youth-Led Grantmaking Project is about more than just funding. It’s about trust, leadership and putting youth in positions of power. The result? Not only will participants gain confidence and real-world skills, but their ideas will stand as proof that when youth lead, communities benefit.