Youth Philanthropy Council Awards $11,000 for Local Youth-Focused Programming

A dedicated group of 19 students from eight Southern Indiana high schools have awarded $11,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations focused on youth programming.

Since September, students from various high schools across Clark and Floyd counties have participated as members of the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a program of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana that encourages youth to give and serve in their communities.

Each year, the program culminates with YPC members administering their own competitive grant cycle, which is open to any area nonprofit organization serving Southern Indiana youth. Working with adult volunteers, students develop skills to evaluate programs and projects worthy of grant funding, all while learning how to be good stewards of these funds. The group reviews submitted applications and awards grants up to $1,000 to deserving nonprofit organizations serving youth in Clark and Floyd counties.

Last week, the students’ hard work of evaluating submitted grant applications and allocating funding came to fruition when the Council announced it had awarded $11,000 in funding to 11 local nonprofits organizations. Recipients were invited to an award ceremony held at Prosser Career Education Center, where they were presented checks from the YPC members who evaluated their proposals.

“The event is a nice way to recognize council members for their commitment to the YPC each year, as well as commend them for all the dedication they put into being good stewards of the competitive grant program,” said Crystal Gunther, Vice President of Community Philanthropy at CFSI. “It’s also a wonderful opportunity for council members to meet these very deserving nonprofit recipients and hear first-hand how the funding will benefit youth in the community.”

In total, 11 grants worth $1,000 each were awarded to local organizations, with programs expected to benefit nearly 3,000 kids in Southern Indiana. Selected recipients (and their programming) include:

• Camp Quality Kentuckiana: Camp Quality 2024 (For Children Living with Cancer)
• Catalyst Rescue Mission: Q.U.E.S.T. Youth Outings: Quarterly Uplifting Exciting Student Trips
• City of Charlestown: Back to School Bash Backpack Giveaway
• Clark County Youth Shelter: Residential Programming Activity Support
• Floyd County Blessings in a Backpack: Support ofWeekend Food for Students
• Friends of Open Door Youth Services: New Directions Summer Adventurer Program
• Hope Southern Indiana, Inc.: Clothe-a-Teen Back to School Program
• Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Program
• Leadership Southern Indiana: NEXGEN Class of 2024 Philanthropy Project
• Silver Heights Camp and Retreat Center: Accessible Gaga Ball Court
• Youth Link Southern Indiana: 3,2,1 Read Program

“The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana Youth Philanthropy program serves as a beacon for high schools in Southern Indiana. It illuminates the path for young minds to engage in the transformative power of giving,” said Jennifer Helgeson, President of Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana and 2024 YPC grant recipient. “Sharing and teaching the values of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility early on, we not only shape future leaders but cultivate a generation committed to driving positive change in our community.”

Since its inception, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded more than $160,000 in grants to local organizations benefiting area youth. The group will also begin accepting new members in May to join next year’s class.

To register for next year’s Youth Philanthropy Council, or to nominate a potential member, please click here.