ABOUT THE DAY OF SERVICE:
Youth Leadership is an innovative leadership development program administered by The Chamber Foundation and designed to develop the academic, social, and life skills of Dutchess County high school youth. The Track 1 students, who are sophomores in various Dutchess County high schools, will work together as a group of 30 people to volunteer on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm. This Day of Service will teach them about philanthropy, leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. This service-learning project will be executed by the participating students, with supervision by the Youth Leadership staff and mentors. All community-based and local non-profit organizations that would benefit are encouraged to apply to partner with the Youth Leadership Day of Service 2026. To learn more about the Youth Leadership program as a whole, visit https://www.dcrcoc.org/the-chamber-foundation/youth-leadership/.
DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm.
RFP APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2026
IMPORTANT FOR ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS:
-Organizations must be in good standing, a current member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a 501C(3), non-governmental organization.
-Projects benefitting political or religious purposes will not be considered. In addition, program participants will not solicit donations, prizes, or funds for the awarded organization outside the scope of the proposed project.
-Partnering organizations are asked to provide their own supplies and funding (as needed) for this project.
***Due to student capabilities, projects should not involve specialized skills such as complex building projects or other projects that require professional-level expertise, training, and/or credentials.
At the same time, the proposed projects should challenge participants within the developmental capabilities of students ages 14-16 to think critically and apply leadership skills as part of this collaborative project.
WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY:
-The organization awarded will receive 25-30 students, to complete a project for your organization. On Saturday April 25 (Rain Date: Saturday May 2) from 9 AM until 12 PM. The organization will be highlighted, receive publicity/recognition after the project’s execution.
-The Chamber Foundation will provide the students’ time, labor, preparation, and prior knowledge of leadership and community partnership skills.
-Chamber Foundation mentors will supervise students during this project
-The Youth Leadership students will gain opportunities to apply their personal and interpersonal leadership skills to real-life inter-organizational scenarios. Opportunities to network with community leaders and stakeholders, thereby forging meaningful professional relationships. This project incorporates the students’ time, energy, and knowledge, as they apply their learned leadership skills.
PROPOSALS WITH THE FOLLOWING WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED:
(1) Projects that can be started and completed on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm.
(2) Propose projects that challenge the students to apply their leadership and critical thinking skills.
(3) Ability to provide a budget/donation for supplies and light fare for volunteers.
(4) Articulate uniqueness and positive impact of the project on your organization.
(5) Bring multiple partners to the project, leverage funds such as matching dollars, and/or attract other volunteers to maximize the project’s benefits.
PROPOSAL EXAMPLES:
(a) Upcycling donated items
(b) Riverfront clean-up
(c) Garden beautification planning and implementing at a local community space
(d) Staffing a walk/run
(e) Co-organizing a local blood drive
(f) Coordinating meal delivery for patients
Youth Leadership is an innovative leadership development program administered by The Chamber Foundation and designed to develop the academic, social, and life skills of Dutchess County high school youth. The Track 1 students, who are sophomores in various Dutchess County high schools, will work together as a group of 30 people to volunteer on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm. This Day of Service will teach them about philanthropy, leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. This service-learning project will be executed by the participating students, with supervision by the Youth Leadership staff and mentors. All community-based and local non-profit organizations that would benefit are encouraged to apply to partner with the Youth Leadership Day of Service 2026. To learn more about the Youth Leadership program as a whole, visit https://www.dcrcoc.org/the-chamber-foundation/youth-leadership/.
DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm.
RFP APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2026
IMPORTANT FOR ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS:
-Organizations must be in good standing, a current member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, and a 501C(3), non-governmental organization.
-Projects benefitting political or religious purposes will not be considered. In addition, program participants will not solicit donations, prizes, or funds for the awarded organization outside the scope of the proposed project.
-Partnering organizations are asked to provide their own supplies and funding (as needed) for this project.
***Due to student capabilities, projects should not involve specialized skills such as complex building projects or other projects that require professional-level expertise, training, and/or credentials.
At the same time, the proposed projects should challenge participants within the developmental capabilities of students ages 14-16 to think critically and apply leadership skills as part of this collaborative project.
WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY:
-The organization awarded will receive 25-30 students, to complete a project for your organization. On Saturday April 25 (Rain Date: Saturday May 2) from 9 AM until 12 PM. The organization will be highlighted, receive publicity/recognition after the project’s execution.
-The Chamber Foundation will provide the students’ time, labor, preparation, and prior knowledge of leadership and community partnership skills.
-Chamber Foundation mentors will supervise students during this project
-The Youth Leadership students will gain opportunities to apply their personal and interpersonal leadership skills to real-life inter-organizational scenarios. Opportunities to network with community leaders and stakeholders, thereby forging meaningful professional relationships. This project incorporates the students’ time, energy, and knowledge, as they apply their learned leadership skills.
PROPOSALS WITH THE FOLLOWING WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED:
(1) Projects that can be started and completed on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9am-12pm.
(2) Propose projects that challenge the students to apply their leadership and critical thinking skills.
(3) Ability to provide a budget/donation for supplies and light fare for volunteers.
(4) Articulate uniqueness and positive impact of the project on your organization.
(5) Bring multiple partners to the project, leverage funds such as matching dollars, and/or attract other volunteers to maximize the project’s benefits.
PROPOSAL EXAMPLES:
(a) Upcycling donated items
(b) Riverfront clean-up
(c) Garden beautification planning and implementing at a local community space
(d) Staffing a walk/run
(e) Co-organizing a local blood drive
(f) Coordinating meal delivery for patients
