Are you aged 15 to 24 years old? Want to make a difference in the La Crosse community? Are you ready to act on climate change and help the environment? If so, the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program is for you!

Applications are now closed. Further communication about projects completed by Grant Awardees will be posted in the near future. If you have questions, please send an email. 

Opportunities for Support  

YCAF Youth Forum

Tuesday, June 25th 2024, 5:30-7:30 PM at The Nature Place.

Join other interested youth at the La Crosse YCAF Forum to brainstorm project ideas, collaborate with others interested in climate action, and get inspired to submit your grant proposal.  Pizza will be served. 

Grant Writing Webinar

Thursday, July 11th 2024, 1:00-2:30 PM

Never written a grant before? Find out what you need to know at our free grant writing webinar. 

Key Deadlines

  • Application Review: July 31, 2024, and continuing on a rolling basis. Applications Are Now Closed
  • Fund Distribution: August & September 2024

  • Project Conclusion: December 2024

Vision

The YCAF aims to empower young people to design, implement, and govern climate solutions, fostering a more sustainable future.

Goal

The goal of the YCAF is to activate youth-led initiatives and address urgent climate challenges in La Crosse. All projects must fit within the strategies of the City's Climate Action Plan.

Eligibility

Open to applicants between the ages of 15-24 years old who reside in, or whose initiatives directly benefit, the city of La Crosse. If youth-led groups are not incorporated entities, they may partner with one that serves as the micro-grant recipient and fund administrator.  Entities must have a formal incorporation or status of some kind (not necessarily an NGO or charity), a bank account in its name, and an ability to manage the funds.

Award Size

Successful applicants will receive a microgrant, distributed to their sponsor organization, ranging from $1,000 - $5,000 to fund their projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Youth Climate Action Fund?

The YCAF is a new opportunity to fund creative and innovative ideas to tackle climate change at the local level. This funding is made possible through a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Through the YCAF, youth-led and youth-serving organizations and groups can receive up to $5,000 to support actions that focus on environmental change issues in our community.

What kind of projects are eligible to be funded?

This program can fund any youth-led (15-24 years of age) project that is focused on sustainability and climate change that directly benefits La Crosse. Example projects can include school community gardens, waste collection programs, road/waterway cleanups, renewable energy projects, tree plantings, energy efficiency projects, sustainable transportation projects, murals, etc. Additionally, projects could also include hosting events or organizing online or in-person activities.  Be creative!

What can the funds be used for in the project?

Funds may be used to cover all project related expenses such as materials, equipment, and community outreach activities.

When should my project start?

Your project should commence once you receive the funds, sometime in August or September of 2024. Project must conclude no later than December 2024. (Projects can be single events or can run the entire period of funding August – December).

What is required when my project is complete?

When you have completed your project, you will need to submit a final report in January 2025.  That report should include a brief description of what activities were undertaken and how the funds were spent and at least one output (ex: number of trees planted, or square feet of community gardens created) and one outcome (ex: reducing the urban heat-island effect or reducing CO2 emissions and food miles).  The report should also include your actual expenditures.