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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Simon Rodriguez, Youth Services Manager
April Fitzhugh, Grant Writer
DATE: 7/7/2026
SUBJECT:
A Resolution to Accept the Youth Climate Action Fund grant for the 2026-2027 cycle and Agreement with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in the amount of $50,000 by the Youth Services division to support youth-led projects that address climate challenges.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to request approval from City Council to accept these funds and begin the application process to review and award projects.
BACKGROUND:
Since 2025, the Youth Climate Action Fund has awarded funds to over 30 international cities to address the challenges of climate change in their communities. This grant specifically requests youth-led projects, allowing youth to be a driving factor of their communities in addressing this global crisis. The City of Aurora was selected as one of the 30 international cities for year 2 of this program. Once formally approved by City Council, the Youth Services division will launch this program, working alongside various City departments, including the Mayor's Sustainability team, the Aurora Sustainability Board, the Aurora Youth Council, community partners, and major stakeholders.
DISCUSSION:
This grant is beneficial to the City of Aurora in many ways. It allows our City to be at the forefront of addressing climate concerns, while promoting youth leadership opportunities. Grant funds, distributed as microgrants in the amounts of $1,000-$5,000 per project selected, will completely cover the costs of those selected projects and will not incur any costs from the City's budget. Projects selected will be aligned to the City of Aurora's Sustainability plan, and may include but not limited to, green space/parks and neighborhood clean-up events, recycling programs, tree and other vegetation planting, creating more green space, and any other project that addresses climate change on a local level.
An application website dedicated to this grant will be created where interested applicants may apply for their project, as well as a resource hub & FAQ sections. Applications will be reviewed by members of the Aurora Youth Council and the Aurora Sustainability board and then recommended for award selection.
The Youth Services division will work with selected projects to identify outcomes and track expenses, which will be outlined in the applications and approved by the Youth Services Manager.
Account numbers for this grant will be 101-1370-440.50-50 for the expense account and 101-1370-337.30-40 for the revenue account.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approving this grant will assist our City with addressing the threat of climate change and allow for our youth to be leaders in this initiative. This grant allows the City of Aurora to also be a leader in addressing climate issues and while building relationships and partnerships with other cities around our nation and world.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Youth Services Division requests approval to accept the Youth Climate Action Fund grant in the amount of $50,000 and agreement from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for the purpose of providing microgrants to youth groups and organizations administered by the Youth Services division
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution to Accept the Youth Climate Action Fund grant for the 2026-2027 cycle and Agreement with Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in the amount of $50,000 by the Youth Services division.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Youth Climate Action Fund has awarded funds to over 30 international cities to address the challenges of climate change in their communities; and
WHEREAS, this grant specifically requests youth-led projects, allowing youth to be a driving factor of their communities in addressing this global crisis; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora was selected as one of the 30 international cities for this grant, awarding microgrants to youth groups and organizations in the amounts of $1,000-5,000 each; and
WHEREAS, A budget amendment will be submitted for this grant using 101-1370-440.50-50 for the expense account and 101-1370-337.30-40 for the revenue account.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the grant and grant agreement for the Youth Climate Action Fund is hereby accepted.