Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council
Heartland Community Foundation Announces 2026-27 Youth Action Council Members
The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce the 2026-27 Youth Action Council (YAC) members. This leadership and community engagement program brings together high school students from across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to learn about philanthropy, develop projects, and make a lasting impact in their communities.
The Youth Action Council empowers students to serve as ambassadors for youth voice and youth-led change. Members will meet monthly throughout the school year to discuss community needs, review grant applications, develop leadership skills, and launch local service projects.
This year’s council includes 45 students representing eight high schools from across the Heartland
region. There are 21 new members and 24 returning members:
WHO WE ARE
The Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council is a leadership and enrichment program for high school students, grades 10-12, in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. The program brings teens together from area high schools to learn about community needs, while empowering them to be change makers. YAC members should want to make a positive impact in their communities and be eager to share ideas to help address the needs of their peers. Council members will have the opportunity to learn about generosity in a practical way – by being generous.
Download PDF below with more details:
WHAT WE DO
The mission of the YAC is to empower youth to be involved in community decision making, to encourage active community participation, to cultivate a spirit of philanthropy, and to instill in members a deeper sense of community pride. YAC members will learn about the grantmaking process by awarding grant dollars in their communities and by developing a community project.
WHEN WE MEET
YAC meetings will be held during the school day once per month, for about an hour. They will rotate locations among individual high schools within each county. A zoom option will be available for students who are unable to attend in person. 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.
TESTIMONIALS
