Leadership Oakland Announces “Acorn2Oak” Grant Program for Young Residents
(Oakland County, Feb. 2, 2024)
Oakland County, MI – Students across Oakland County will soon have access to mini-grants to nurture their aspirations through the Acorn2Oak Youth Grant Program, launched today through a collaboration between Oakland County and Leadership Oakland.
This pioneering initiative is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of the county’s youth, ages 8-18. This program is uniquely designed to financially nurture their dreams, turning them into achievable goals.
Acorn2Oak is committed to planting the seeds of innovation, education, and creativity among our young population. The program’s core mission is to offer financial support to young individuals, enabling them to explore and expand their horizons across various fields, including business development, academic pursuits, and extracurricular activities.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Acorn2Oak program. It’s a powerful opportunity to support those young, brilliant minds in our community who just need a little extra help to reach their full potential. These grants are about more than financial aid; they are a vote of confidence, a signal to our community’s youth that their ideas matter and they have our support,” said Susan Hollady, Executive Director of Leadership Oakland. “At Leadership Oakland, we see these grants as a crucial step in fostering not just individual achievements, but in building a stronger, more engaged community.”
Grant Details:
- Amount: Grants of up to $1,000 are available.
- Focus Areas:
- Business and Entrepreneurial Development: Aimed at budding entrepreneurs who need resources to kickstart their ventures.
- Community Impact: For projects that are focused on starting or enhancing a social enterprise, nonprofit or community initiative.
- Educational Achievement: For students seeking support in academic programs, competitions, or specialized training.
- Extracurricular Investment: Assisting individuals in one-time investments in activities aligned with the program’s mission.
The grants are open to residents of Oakland County, ages 8-18. The program specifically excludes funding for tuition, ongoing expenses, sporting equipment, or team registration fees.
“The most striking and the most hopeful examples of innovation and creativity, public service, budding entrepreneurship and volunteerism have come from our young people and that passion and compassion should be acknowledged and rewarded,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “These grants will help show our young people that we are confident and optimistic about their future. And I hope this support will help inspire and encourage personal growth, civic engagement and leadership development.”
The Acorn2Oak first was announced during Coulter’s 2023 State of the County address. The program stands out for its accessibility, the scale of its awards, and its dedication to nurturing a diverse array of talents and aspirations among youth. With the potential for hundreds of awards, Acorn2Oak presents a unique opportunity for young individuals to access resources that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
Leadership Oakland and Oakland County are excited to see the impact this program will have on nurturing the potential of the young residents. Applications for the Acorn2Oak program are now open and can be accessed through the Leadership Oakland website.
For more information and to apply for a grant, visit acorn2oakgrant.com.
