Administered by Community Services/Cherokee Nation

The Mission of the Cherokee Nation is “ga du gi”; working together as individuals, families, and communities for a quality of life for this and future generations by promoting confidence, the tribal culture and an effective sovereign government.

The purpose of the Cherokee Nation Community Youth Fund is to strengthen community organizations and encourage Cherokee citizenship and participation by exposing Cherokee youth to Cherokee community leadership; to show how Cherokees have survived and excelled through group and community actions and developing future leadership skills through the funding of activities for youth that serve this purpose.

Funds of $250.00 per recipient per fiscal year for a recipient may be used for education, athletic, cultural, and other activities that meet the mission of the Cherokee Nation and purpose of the program for Cherokee Nation citizen youth ages 5 to 18 years, enrolled in school, and living in the 14-county Cherokee Nation jurisdictional boundaries.

**Application Must Be Completed By Youth Ages 14 And Older**

REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL

1. Applicant must be a Cherokee citizen evidenced by a submittal of a Cherokee Nation Tribal Citizenship card (“blue card") and a Social Security card. The legal name of the applicant must appear on both cards.

2. Address of permanent residence of applicant must be within the 14-county Cherokee Nation jurisdictional boundaries.

3. Applicant must be at least 5 years of age and no older than 18 years of age at the time of application and enrolled in school.

4. Application must be turned in by applicable deadline with a completed W-9 signed by applicant.

5. Availability of funds, selection shall primarily be based on a first come, first served basis until the total funds available are depleted.

Approval for funds will be contingent upon attendance of the leadership/financial literacy workshop OR documentation of acceptable workshops, classwork, and/or organizational membership that provide leadership training such as Boys and Girls Club, 4-H, FFA, FHA, Girl or Boy Scouts, Money Camp, or church or school classwork AND the completion of 25 hours community volunteer services.

.Once an application is completed and approved by Cherokee First Coordinator and/or Community Services Group Leader it will be processed for funding. Checks will be mailed to the recipients. “NO EXCEPTIONS”.

8.Application will be accepted until all funds are depleted. 9. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND WILL BE RETURNED TO APPLICANT.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Step One: Submit a completed application, meet all requirements regarding Cherokee citizenship, living within the Cherokee Nation boundaries, age and approved activity for funding.

Step Two: Perform 25 hours of community volunteerism services with documentation of activity and signature of the recipient/entity of the services performed.

Step Three: Successful interview demonstrating that the applicant understands the mission of the Cherokee Nation, the purpose of the program and the importance of community volunteerism. Interview questions for first time applicants are italicized and underlined, 2nd year applicant’s questions are italicized and bolded, and for 3rd year applicants, must know the “Requirements for Approval”.

Step Four: Receive preliminary approval contingent upon attendance of the leadership/financial literacy workshop or provide documentation of acceptable workshops and/or classwork.

Step Five: Once applicant has attended the workshop or provided acceptable documentation of other workshops and/or classwork and received funding a one page description of what the recipient learned by participating in the program.