Youth Advisory Council

History of YAC

The Columbus Medical Association Foundation (CMAF) convened its first ever Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in January 2001. The YAC is a component of the Foundation and provides an opportunity for Greater Columbus area youth to learn about philanthropy and to participate in all aspect of grantmaking. Youth from local schools ages 13 to 18 learn to evaluate projects that are designed by youth to improve health outcomes through health advocacy, education and prevention.

The Youth assist the CMAF in grantmaking that targets youth. The Youth Advisory Council is charged to:

  • Research successful initiatives/programs that affect the health of the youth in greater Columbus.
  • Identify activities to improve existing and/or additional activities that will have a greater impact on the health of youth.
  • Develop a grantmaking program through which funds can be distributed to the community to affect strategically targeted areas of concern.
  • Support youth leadership development activities


Who Can Participate in the YAC?

Any Greater Columbus area youth ages 13 to 18 years old can become a member of the CMAF Youth Advisory Council. The YAC also engages their alumni members as well as other college-aged peers to participate in Council meetings and activities. Simply apply on-line at {insert application link} or contact the Foundation for an application at (614) 240-7420.

Benefits of being a YAC member

Many programs to improve the health and wellness of youth are created by organizations without the needed input of the very individuals these programs are designed to help. The YAC provides area youth with the opportunity to learn about and create health programs that affect not only themselves, but their peers as well.

The YAC fosters the understanding and participation as a philanthropic funder, teaching valuable lessons about successful grantmaking and community stewardship.

In addition, participation in the YAC may apply towards fulfilling community service credit hour requirements for graduation.

Who Can Apply for Funding?

  • Funding will be considered for any school or youth group in Franklin County or one of the six contiguous counties.
  • The projects must target youth and the program material must be age appropriate.
  • The grant should empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices.
  • There must be strong youth leadership in the development and implementation of the project.
  • Grant requests must not exceed $1,000 and must be designed by youth to be considered.


What are YAC Funding Requirements?

The applicant organization must have a current status of 5013 (and not be a private foundation) from the federal government or be a county/state/or federal government agency.

When Submitting a Proposal to the Youth Advisory Council, Please Address the Following: {insert grant application link?}

  • Provide information about the purpose, size, history and goals of the organization (and/or youth group).
  • Provide a brief overview of the entire project (limited to three paragraphs).
  • Describe the statement of need for the project.
  • Describe the population served by the project.
  • Describe the activities, goals and objectives of the project.
  • Provide a project timeline.
  • Provide a project specific, line-item budget. (be sure to designate what funds requested will be utilized for and include other funds being requested as well as a listing of where other funding is being obtained).
  • Describe how impacts of the project will be measured.
  • Describe plans for continuing the project.


Required Documents:

  • Attach a letter of the Internal Revenue Service letter stating the organization is a non-profit or an instrumentality of local or state government.
  • Include a list of the youth committee members or youth involved with the project.
  • Include the grant proposal cover sheet {insert link to cover sheet}.


Components of a Successful Program:

  • Providing youth with the statistical information during educational sessions.
  • Giving youth information about the negative effects and hazards related to each issue.
  • Promotion of abstinence as it relates to encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Development of discussion groups within the communities.
  • Developing a collaborative and interactive approach.


Grants are received the first Wednesday of every month. They are due in the Foundation offices by 4:00PM (postmarks are not accepted).

Community Survey and Research:
The YAC relies heavily on research findings conducted by various community groups when making funding decisions and prioritizing their areas of interest. In addition to utilizing existing survey tools the YAC also relies upon the expertise of community representatives who are invited to share information at selected meetings to enhance their understanding of the health care issues facing young people today. If you would like to participate in a YAC meeting to share health information or raise awareness please follow this link and complete the meeting request form {insert meeting request link}.

YAC Survey Information:

Additionally, on an annual basis the YAC conducts their own survey of their peers within their schools and communities. This survey instrument is distributed and analyzed by the YAC and is instrumental in their annual selection process of funding priorities.

Areas of focus for YAC grantmaking are determined by the youth through the Health Perspectives Survey where area students rank the health issues of greatest importance. For the 2009/2010 school year below are the health issues of importance:

  • Prevention of Substance Abuse / Smoking
  • Prevention of Child/Teen Depression/Suicide
  • Education of Child/Teen Depression/Suicide
  • Prevention of STD’s and Teen Pregnancy
  • Prevention of Obesity and Eating Disorders Prevention of School/Community Violence


An overwhelming number of respondents indicated that PARENTS had the biggest POSITIVE influence on their health choices and MEDIA had the biggest NEGATIVE influence.