Our Youth in Philanthropy program has officially begun with our first cohort of students. We have a great group of young people and begin with our senior students this Monday.

Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) is a youth leadership program that gives area teenagers real, hands-on experience with philanthropic giving. 

YIP provides young people guidance, money, and mentorship to directly fund nonprofit organizations. Each grant cycle challenges these young people to demonstrate leadership, solve problems, study proposals, manage budgets, work together, and present their views to an audience of peers and adults. 

We believe our young people are more than capable of making informed decisions about community needs and tackling issues such as homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, and other major social concerns. Through YIP, they can help create immediate solutions through grants, and because youth sustain their engagement long-term, this contributes to lasting, constructive change in our communities. Click here to learn more.

Thanks to all the nonprofits for their applications and their wonderful work in our four counties! Our seniors will narrow down the applications so that the entire group can select two nonprofits to study, visit and eventually make a $10,000 award.

Thank you to the Pohanka Family Foundation, Crabtree Family Foundation and the Lessard Family Fund for their support of this program!