Youth Philanthropy Council Awards $9,450 for Local Youth-Focused Programming

NEW ALBANY, Ind. – A dedicated group of 20 students from eight Southern Indiana high schools have awarded $9,450 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 $9,450 in funding to 10 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 Melcher, 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, 10 grants were awarded to local organizations, with programs expected to benefit 2,500 kids in Southern Indiana. Selected recipients (and their programming) include:

“Programs like the Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council are huge for helping students grow into leaders,” said Eddie Bobbitt, Executive Director of Camp Quality Kentuckiana. “It gives them the chance to step up, build confidence, and see the impact they can make by supporting nonprofits who are filling unmet needs in our community.”

Since its inception, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded more than $180,000 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 learn more about the Youth Philanthropy Council or how students can join the philanthropic program, please visit our website: www.CFSouthernIndiana.com/programs.