The Community Foundation  of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks hosted the first “Forkin It Over” grant party to present microgrants to young people in the cities community last Thursday.

The program was developed to get youths more engaged and involved in the community. The Community Foundation has been accepting applications for the last month, each application proposing a project to make the community a better place. There were 22 applications submitted through the foundation’s website prior to the party.

The party, held at the Empire Arts Center, included food, drinks and music for the applicants before the pitches started.

Applicants had 60 seconds to pitch an idea to a panel of judges at the party, and the judges later decided whether or not to grant them the funds for their project.

“This is one of the strategies to help students to help the community at large,” Executive Director Kristi Mishler said. “We want to make a more fun community to live in and have students and young people engaged in the community.”

According to Mishler, the grants were created after receiving feedback that suggested young people felt detached from the community. Mishler said she thought these grants would be a step in the right direction, towards making young people feel involved and as though they have a role in the community.

The foundation had $21,000 to give away for the micro-grant program. Grants ranged in value and would work toward making young people feel involved and as though they have a role in the community.

The foundation had $21,000 to give away for the micro-grant program. Grants ranged in value from $500 to $3,000, and each applicant applied for an amount but was given the opportunity to accept less money than the amount for which they applied.

“We want to increase understanding and engagement of 20-somethings,” Community Foundation board member Kristin Shea said.

Proposals included a mobile graffiti wall, a 10 hour concert radio, a phone application for the Grand Forks area and a symphony.

“It’s kind of cool to be the last presenter,” applicant Andy Magness said. “This is just a really cool thing and there have been some really good ideas.”

Magness pitched an idea for funding to start floating picnics on the Red River, something he said is one of Grand Forks’ best assets and is under-used.

Megan Hoffman is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at megan.hoffman@my.und.edu.