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Youth Investment Council Application

Youth Creating a Healthier New Bedford
Help decide how major funding is invested in youth leadership and community change in New Bedford.
The Youth Investment Council is a partnership between Atrius Health Equity Foundation and the Women’s Fund SouthCoast that will bring together approximately 12 young people, ages 14–22, who live in or have a strong connection to New Bedford.

Council members will learn about leadership, community change, equity, philanthropy, and how funding decisions are made — and then help decide how major funding is invested in organizations working with young people in New Bedford.

These are real funding decisions, and youth will have real decision-making power.

You do not need experience with grants, nonprofits, philanthropy, or leadership programs to apply.

We want a Council that reflects the diversity of New Bedford and includes young people with different racial and ethnic identities, gender identities, neighborhoods, cultures, languages, economic backgrounds, abilities, educational experiences, and levels of previous leadership experience.

You might already be involved in your community, or this might be your first leadership opportunity.

This application is due October 14 at 11:59 PM EST. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Help decide how major funding is invested in New Bedford
  • Learn how philanthropy and nonprofits operate within your community
  • Explore how to address racial, gender, economic equity
  • Learn about health equity and how to improve health in your community
  • Help create the criteria used to review organizations
  • Review grant applications and possibly interview finalists
  • Make funding decisions with other young people
  • Build leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills
COMPENSATION & SUPPORT
  • $100 for the four-hour orientation
  • $50 for each two-hour Council meeting
  • Additional compensation for time spent reviewing applications

Most members are expected to receive approximately $500 for completing the full process.

Dinner will be provided at evening meetings, and food will be provided during orientation.

Funding is also available to help remove barriers to participation, including transportation, technology, accessibility, language support, materials, and other needs.
MEETING SCHEDULE

All meetings will be held in person at the Women’s Fund SouthCoast office in downtown New Bedford.

Session Date Time
Orientation Saturday, October 24, 2026 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Council Meeting 1 Tuesday, November 10, 2026 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Council Meeting 2 Tuesday, December 1, 2026 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Council Meeting 3 Tuesday, December 15, 2026 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Council Meeting 4 Tuesday, January 12, 2027 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Council Meeting 5 Tuesday, January 19, 2027 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Council members will also spend time outside of meetings reviewing applications.
APPLICATION QUESTIONS

There are no perfect answers. We want to learn what matters to you and how you think about your community.
1.Why do you want to join the Youth Investment Council?
What would you hope to learn or contribute?(Required.)
2.What are 1–3 issues affecting young people in New Bedford that matter most to you?
Why are they important?(Required.)
3.Young people do not all experience New Bedford in the same way. What do you think makes it easier for some young people to have opportunities and harder for others?
You might think about things like race, gender, neighborhood, income, disability, language, culture, or other parts of people’s experiences.(Required.)
4.Imagine you and other young people had hundreds of thousands of dollars to invest in organizations working with youth in New Bedford.
What would you want to know before deciding which organizations should receive funding?(Required.)
ABOUT YOU
5.Name(Required.)
6.Email(Required.)
7.Phone(Required.)
8.Age(Required.)
9.Do you live in New Bedford or have a strong connection to New Bedford?(Required.)
10.Please briefly describe your connection to New Bedford.(Required.)
11.Gender Identity(Required.)
12.Race and/or ethnicity (choose all that apply)(Required.)
13.School, college, training program, workplace, or other place where you currently spend your time(Required.)
14.What New Bedford neighborhood or neighborhoods are you connected to?(Required.)
15.What language(s) do you speak?(Required.)
PARTICIPATION
16.Are you able to participate in the orientation, meetings, and application review described above?(Required.)
17.Is there anything that would help you participate fully? (Please check all that apply)
Needing support will not affect your chances of being selected.(Required.)
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Connections will not automatically prevent you from serving. If selected, we will explain how conflicts of interest are handled fairly.
18.Please list any extracurricular activities you participate in, including volunteer and leadership roles.(Required.)
ANYTHING ELSE
19.Is there anything else you would like us to know? (Optional)