Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program (YNAP) Board Meeting – December 15, 2025

The YNAP board convened on December 15, 2025, to deliberate and finalize funding for 45 youth-led community projects. With a total of $45,000 available and requests totaling $85,394.68, the board used a baseline of 50% of each request and then adjusted amounts upward or downward based on presentation quality, project uniqueness, preparation, and alignment with city limits. After extensive discussion, the board approved a final allocation list totaling exactly $45,000, with specific stipulations regarding gift cards, consent forms, and language for donations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Members reviewed each of the 45 presenting groups, starting with a 50% baseline. The board discussed deviations for groups that presented exceptionally well (e.g., Roots of Liberation, Beat the Heat Baskets, Robotics Mixer) or poorly (e.g., Hearts in Harmony, Through the Eyes of the Youth). Many groups with similar missions (e.g., care packages for homeless) were considered together. The board also considered age and experience of presenters, with some members advocating for leniency toward younger or first-time applicants.
• Key considerations included whether projects were youth-led, clarity of budget, preparedness, uniqueness, and community impact. Several groups were flagged for unclear project goals, inflated budgets, or lack of volunteer duties. The board voted to reduce amounts for groups that appeared adult-led or poorly organized, and to increase funding for groups with strong presentations and innovative ideas.
• Final adjustments were made to stay within the $45,000 cap: groups originally awarded $1,600–$1,700 were reduced to $1,500, and two late groups (Robotics Mixer and Suit Up for Summer) received $1,400 each. Stipulations were attached: no gift cards (for groups like Time Flies Honoring Our Elders and Moments Music Matter), consent forms for sensitive broadcasts (Hearts and Harmony), and language change to "suggested donation" for Books for Brave Kids.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1 (passed unanimously): Approved funding for all groups except Dancing Minds Moving Bodies, with amounts as read and stipulations. Member Mota abstained from the second motion involving her project.
• Motion 2 (passed): Approved funding for Dancing Minds Moving Bodies at $1,500, with Member Mota abstaining.
• Total grants awarded: $45,000 across 45 projects. Notable allocations include:
  • Crown Care, Snuffle Love, Dancing Minds Moving Bodies, Pack of Hope, Little Libraries Big Future, Books for Brave Kids: $1,500 each.
  • Roots of Liberation Healing Garden Circle: $900 (full request).
  • Beat the Heat Baskets: $1,000 (full request).
  • Groups receiving less than 50%: Empowerment Health Fair ($700), Heart in a Box ($600), Through the Eyes of the Youth ($700), Hearts in Harmony ($600), Heart of the Community ($600), Being a Service to Others ($600), Healing Hands ($700), Operation Teen Champion ($800), Moments Music Matter ($600), Beauty in Bold ($700), Top Enrichment CDC ($600).
• Several groups were withdrawn or did not present (Gems Gifted, Empowered, Motivated Spartans; Helping Heroes, Jackets for Joy; iA Youth Leaders Corp; Native Born Youth Group; Project 91).