Invest in Youth Advisory Council

In 2021, Brooklyn Community Foundation adopted a participatory grantmaking approach across all of our unrestricted grantmaking programs. Guided by our belief that those who are closest to the challenges are closest to the solutions, we center residents with lived experience and expertise as key decisionmakers in reviewing grant proposals, conducting site visits, and selecting nonprofits for funding.

Our Invest in Youth Advisory Council is made up of sixteen youth advisors with strong ties to Brooklyn, ranging in age from 16-24, the majority of which are alumni of our Brooklyn Youth Activists. They work alongside our Programs staff to inform our grantmaking strategy, review grant applications, conduct site visits, and make funding decisions.  

The 2021-22 Invest in Youth Advisory Council are:

Zainab Abdullah
Adrien Babwale
Jasmine Calixto
Samantha Campos
Daniel-José Cyan
Sharon Davis
Jessenia Guapisaca
Angel Jiang
Aamnah Khan
​Amanda Lugo
Brayan Pagoada
Christina Powell
Nana Samake
Peace Titilawo
Jessica Yauri