Education

The Desert Sun

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Youth Grantmakers open applications for new cohort, respond by Nov. 10

Opportunities for youth abound at the Inland Empire Community Foundation. The foundation's Youth Grantmakers 2026-2027 cohort is now accepting applications from Inland Empire high school students. Applications are due Nov. 10. "We are empowering our young people to make grant-making decisions with adults who normally do such things," said Denisha Shackelford, Youth Grantmaker's senior scholarship manager. "They are being given a unique opportunity to help the community through giving out grants." To be sure, 2026 has been fruitful for Youth Grantmakers, a vibrant youth leadership and philanthropy program that has generated opportunities for young people across the Inland Empire since 2008. The program's robust initiative explores philanthropy, builds leadership skills and directs funding toward issues youth care about. As such, youth learn about community nonprofits with youth-oriented programs. They are given opportunities "to help in various situations, whether that be mental health programs or peer mentoring network programs — the list goes on," Shackelford said. The majority of 2026 grantmaking centered funding around the areas of academic stress, mental health, youth community, financial education, minority support — specifically around the LGBTQ+ community and immigration — and artificial intelligence, targeting ideal usage. With guidance from IECF staff and local partners, the

Riverside County, CA · 8d