The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) serves as the Foundation’s local panel of experts on the needs and issues that face area youth and advises the Board of Directors on grants from MCCF’s Youth Endowment Fund.
Youth Advisory Council
The YAC is comprised of high school students from each of Manistee County’s school districts, including:
- Bear Lake High School
- Brethren High School
- CASMAN Academy
- Manistee High School
- Onekama High School
Manistee Great Lakes Virtual Academy and homeschooled high school students who are Manistee County residents are also eligible to participate.
YAC members meet monthly and have the opportunity to learn about philanthropy (donations of time, talent, and treasure for community good), build leadership skills, and provide a voice for youth in our community. The YAC is active in assessing the needs of Manistee County youth, participates in fund development activities to grow the Youth Endowment Fund and recommends grants that respond to needs of area youth.
Through the MCCF Grant Program, the YAC accepts applications from the Youth Endowment Fund, which expands the opportunity for the YAC to consider applications that impact area youth. Projects that involve youth voice in project planning and implementation are given priority when the YAC makes recommendations to the MCCF Board of Directors for funding.
Recruiting New Members (2026-2027)
The YAC is currently seeking new members for the 2026-27 school year. Interested youth should complete the YAC Recruitment Form below prior to the Friday, November 6, 2026, deadline.
Each year the YAC works to recruit members that are diverse and will be a positive representative of their school and community. We want to ensure that we hear the many voices and perspectives of the young people in our community and encourage youth representing any and all perspectives and identities to complete this form. There are no academic or other pre-requisites to participate in YAC, just a willingness to learn alongside other YAC members and be a voice for Manistee County youth!
This year, the YAC is seeking members from the following grades and schools:
Bear Lake High School – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade Representatives
Brethren High School – 9th and 10th Grade Representatives
CASMAN Academy – 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade Representatives
Manistee High School – 9th and 10th Grade Representatives
Onekama High School – 9th Grade Representative
Manistee Great Lakes Virtual Academy and homeschooled high school students who are Manistee County residents are also eligible to participate.
Questions?
To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) contact Kelsey Rhodes, YAC Advisor, at [email protected] or (231) 723-7269.
