Now Accepting Applications for 2026-27 Youth Action Council; Deadline is May 8, 2026
The Heartland Community Foundation is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026-27 Youth Action Council (YAC), a leadership and enrichment program for
high school students in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. The YAC program aims to empower young people to be involved in community decision-making, cultivate a spirit of philanthropy, and instill a deeper sense of community pride. Learn more here:
https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/impact/heartland-community-foundation-youthaction-council/. Apply here: https://forms.gle/48ZhcnoURfw4jGo16
Since December 2020, Heartland has granted over $100,000 to teen-led projects, and we want to continue supporting their efforts and empowering them to do even more. YAC members will have the opportunity to learn about generosity in a practical way by being generous and developing community projects.
There were 40 YAC members on the 2025-26 council from all eight high schools in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Each county worked on a communitywide project. Those projects are ongoing and have provided exciting and important learning opportunities for members. Members also had the opportunity to review Heartland grant applications during the fall cycle. They completed a community service project in January, assembling 200 “birthday bags” to distribute to area food banks, providing all of the fixings needed to celebrate a birthday. Topics discussed each month have included leadership, fundraising, marketing, grant writing, and more. Members from 2025-26 council who have not graduated will be part of the 2026-27 council. Those who are graduating become part of a growing network of Youth Action Council alums.
“YAC has allowed me to get a head start on what the next stage of life will look like. I also love the fact that at my age, I have the opportunity to help form and change my community. Carrying out projects, giving away grant money, and spreading knowledge has been a wonderful experience,” said Tucker Rudman, a senior at Plainville High School. Jenna Brull, a senior at TMP-Marian, added, “I loved being part of YAC over the last three years, sharing ideas with like-minded people and growing my skills as a leader in my community!”
YAC meetings are held once a month during the school day for about an hour. Twice a year, in August and January, the full council from throughout the Heartland area will come together to meet in a larger group in Hays. The group will also be tasked with developing and volunteering for a service project.
In selecting new members, the Heartland Youth Action Council is looking for teens who:
- Care about their community and want to make a difference
- Are open-minded, critical thinkers who can discuss tough issues and creative solutions
- Demonstrate integrity and initiative in their actions and decisions
- Will be in 10th or 11th grade during the 2026-27 academic school year. 12th graders must be returning members.
- Reside in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties.
The expectations of Youth Action Council members are as follows:
- Attend a Youth Action Council orientation in Hays during early August.
- Attend a monthly meeting during the school day in your home county in September,
October, November, February, March and April by zoom or in person. - Attend a Youth Action Council retreat in Hays in January.
- Actively participate in discussions and activities.
- Be an advocate for the Youth Action Council, the Heartland Community Foundation, and the youth in our community.
The deadline for applications is May 8, 2026. Interested students can apply online and learn more
information at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org. Apply online and learn more information here: https://forms.gle/48ZhcnoURfw4jGo16.
