Last Updated: Wednesday, Sep 6 2006 10:09 PM

The Kern Community Foundation is accepting applications from area teenagers who would like to help provide funding for youth-led community projects.

The Grants Advisory Board for Youth program gives students, ages 13 through 18, the opportunity to make decisions about which local youth organizations should receive grant funding.

Funded through grants from the Great Valley Center and Castle & Cooke of California, the experience offers local teens real-world experience in philanthropy, decision making, civic participation, public speaking and other skills.

Last year, the "youth to youth" board received nearly $20,000 in requests and granted $7,500 to area youth clubs and organizations. Meetings are held the first Saturday of each month, beginning in October and continuing into May.

Applications are available at the Kern Community Foundation Web site at www.kernfoundation.org or by calling 325-5346.

The deadline for applications is at noon Sept. 15.