Union of Youth

Main Street Mentors is proud to kick off the Northfield Youth Micro-Grant Program. This program will provide funding to Northfield students under the age of 19 who would like to start their own businesses. The intention of the Youth Micro-Grant is to help young people learn valuable skills, interact with community mentors, and potentially form a profitable business.

Northfield Healthy Community Initiative dedicated $5,500 to form this youth micro-grant program. No more than $1,000 will be granted to any one student. The next deadline for any new stage 1 or stage 2 applications is October 31, 2009.   The next deadlines will be January 31, 2010; April 30, 2010; July 31, 2010.  After each future application a board made up of three adults and three youth will review the applications and distribute funding based on the merit of the project.

Interested students will be asked to fill out an initial application, which requires little more than a basic business idea. After the initial application is received the student will be matched up with a mentor based on his or her project. After meeting with a mentor the student will complete a more detailed secondary application to be reviewed. If the student receives funding he or she will be invited to attend informative seminars that highlight important business skills or other relevant information.

The review board will look highly on projects that will contribute something valuable to the Northfield Community and utilizes the great people in this town.

Applications are available on the Mainstreet Mentors’ website as well as at the Key at www.unionofyouth.org (click on the microgrant heading). Any questions about this program can be directed to Amy Merritt at mainstreetmentors@gmail.com. We are more than happy to answer questions and help get programs off the ground.