The Kirkland Community Foundation is recruiting teens ages 14–17 to join the Ignite Kirkland 2025 Youth Task Force — a one-day, hands-on opportunity to make a difference by helping decide how local nonprofits receive community funding.
Applications Due: October 28, 2025
Event Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 2:30–4:30 PM (Food included!)
Poster Help Days: November 7–9, 2025
Public Donation Window: November 10–24, 2025
This fall, 39 local nonprofits are participating in Ignite Kirkland, requesting more than $164,000 in community funding. The Youth Task Force will review project ideas, discuss impact, and allocate real grant dollars to deserving organizations.
It’s a fun, rewarding way to get involved, earn service hours, enjoy dinner with peers, and help direct funding toward causes that matter most to you — like Arts & Culture, Community Connections, Learning & Innovation, Health & Housing, and Parks & Environment.
📝 Apply by October 28 to secure your spot:
www.kirklandcommunity.org/youth
Last November, ten passionate Kirkland teens braved power outages to take part in the Foundation’s inaugural Youth Task Force. With a clear mission—to support local nonprofits and make a meaningful impact—they got right to work.
“We can’t change the past, but we have the chance to improve the future—and this program is a way to do just that,”
shared one participant, capturing the spirit that filled the room.
These students, ages 14 to 17, were selected through outreach to local schools, youth programs, and community partners. They joined because they cared deeply about issues like youth empowerment, homelessness, mental health, and environmental conservation—and wanted to take action.
“Youth should have a voice in shaping their community,” said another participant.
“This opportunity lets us make big decisions that bring positive change for everyone.”
Together, they reviewed dozens of projects and worked collaboratively to distribute a $2,500 grant provided by the Lee Johnson Auto Family. After careful consideration, they awarded funding to the following organizations:
Africans on the Eastside – Celebrating African culture and heritage through fashion, food, and fun.
Friends of Youth – Supplying nutritious and culturally relevant food to youth at the Willows Services Center.
Kindering – Providing therapies and support for children with developmental challenges.
Kirkland Performance Center – Upgrading audio and video equipment to serve more people.
NAMI – Expanding mental health education for underserved communities.
Oom Yung Doe – Offering additional women’s self-defense courses.
Safe Parking – Supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
Stronger Families – Delivering OXYGEN Department Wellness Training for first responders.
Toys for Kids – Providing sports equipment for students in need through Rick’s Locker.
Washington Ferret Association – Expanding its foster and adoption program.
Each of these groups received recognition as Youth Choice Award recipients. Even when faced with tough funding decisions, the students demonstrated empathy, fairness, and teamwork—qualities that will serve them well as future community leaders.
“When we commit our energy, we can create real change—and develop future leaders in the process.”
The 2024 task force also shared ideas for new grant topics they’d like to see in the future, including environmental sustainability, composting, blood donation awareness, park restoration, and community connection spaces, and the Foundation Executive Director has been working with local nonprofits to encourage more projects that are in that arena.
Their thoughtful participation became a vital part of the Ignite Kirkland campaign, helping raise funds and awareness for local nonprofits—and proving that youth leadership can have a lasting ripple effect, which is why the Kirkland Community Foundation is doing it again!
This year, you can help shape the 2025 Ignite Kirkland story.
If you’re a Kirkland teen ready to make a difference, apply by October 24 to join the Youth Task Force.
Dinner, teamwork, and meaningful impact — all in one evening that helps make Kirkland an even stronger community.
KCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
EIN 46-4931717
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