THE NEST FUND: DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG ADULTs
We are excited to announce the Nest Fund, a mutual aid fund designed to provide direct cash assistance to Kite’s Nest youth and alumni. Become a supporter or apply for mutual aid funds below!
Many teens and young adults in Hudson face significant economic instability. We have witnessed the particular challenges young people face as they transition out of high school, and encounter difficulties navigating housing, employment, food, education, and transportation in a rapidly gentrifying city and region. Additionally, many of our youth are entering adulthood excited to start their own businesses, advance their artistic careers, organize in their communities, and build their families. Across the country, youth organizations like ours are identifying the need to develop more intentional structures that support young people as they transition out of youth programs and into adulthood; and around the world, mutual aid projects are challenging the dominant politics of individualism by building powerful models for community solidarity and aid.
The Nest Fund has been developed in collaboration with Kite’s Nest alumni, staff, and teens to offer an accessible pathway for Kite’s Nest youth and families to access direct financial aid. In 2023, the Nest Fund will distribute $10k to Kite’s Nest youth and alumni for emergency funds, scholarships, and life grants. The mission and purpose of the Nest Fund is to support and empower our community of young people as they navigate adulthood.
Examples of support might include:
★ Life grants to support self-investments like starting or investing in a business, health and healing opportunities, traveling, purchasing a vehicle, or renting an apartment
★ Scholarship funds for college-related and continued education costs, including living costs, books, and supplies
★ Emergency assistance, including assistance with rent, medical expenses, legal costs, childcare, transportation expenses, and groceries
The Nest Fund is guided by these principles: Youth-led, Accessible application process, Transparent decision-making and clear expectations, Trust-based, Learning together. Thank you to the Spark of Hudson for providing seed funding for the Nest Fund. Thank you to all the individual donors for supporting the Nest Fund. If you’d like to support, click the link below to provide direct cash assistance to young people in our community.
apply for mutual aid
If you’re a young person, age 17-26, who has attended Kite’s Nest programs in the past, you can apply for direct cash assistance for emergency support, scholarship assistance, or a life grant. We’re excited to support you as you find your way in the world! As a member of our community, we maintain a loving commitment to your personal growth and long-term wellbeing. Complete the application below and we will be in touch with you. Read more to learn about our decision-making process and criteria for applying.
In 2023, we have $10k to distribute through the Nest Fund, which we aim to distribute evenly between emergency funds, scholarship support, and life grants. Nest Fund applications are reviewed by a committee made up of Kite’s Nest staff, and alumni of Kite’s Nest programs, including the President and Vice President of our Alumni Association. We review applications as we receive them and make decisions collectively through a consensus process two times per year: in winter and summer. In the case of an emergency, we call together as many committee members as possible for an immediate consensus process so that we can meet the need of our community member. If we receive additional contributions to the Nest Fund, we may be able to increase the number of grants we award in 2023.
Once you apply, we will reach out to you to let you know we’ve received your application and the timeline for receiving a decision from us. We may follow up with you with additional questions. Since we have limited funds available, we will likely not be able to award every request. However, if we are not able to award your grant in the current cycle, your application will be able to be considered again in future cycles. If you are seeking emergency funds, please indicate that in your application.
Criteria for applying: In order to apply, you must be a young person, age 17-26, who has attended or is attending Kite’s Nest programs. While life grant and scholarship funds are reserved for Kite’s Nest alumni, youth currently attending programs are invited to apply for emergency assistance. If you’ve applied to the Nest Fund and received funding in the past, you are welcome to apply again, but your application may be deprioritized in the next decision cycle in order to promote equity. If you're not sure if you qualify for the fund or if you have other questions about the application process, reach out to us at hello@kitesnest.org.
donate to the nest fund
“We are each other’s harvest, we are each other’s business, we are each other’s magnitude and bond.” - Gwendolyn Brooks
The well-being of young people is everyone’s business. If you have a stable income and your basic needs are met, now is the time to support youth navigating adulthood in the face of systemic injustice, predatory and oppressive housing and education markets, and increased costs of living. Kite’s Nest youth and alumni are a brilliant group of people with powerful skills and understanding of the world we can build together. Help us lift them up by maintaining this youth mutual aid fund into the future.
