High school students participating in the Youth Philanthropy Boards (YPB) of the Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) have awarded $52,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
The DCF sponsors a YPB in each county to encourage high school students to become more involved in philanthropy. Each board of high school students is allotted a pool of money to give as charitable grants.
YPB members are tasked with studying issues in their neighborhoods and schools, identifying a focus area for grantmaking, learning about philanthropy and effective grantmaking, soliciting grant proposals and conducting site visits to nonprofit organizations. With the knowledge gained from these experiences, the members select grantees that they deem will have the most impact in our communities.
“Being on the YPB this year has given me not just an intro into philanthropy, but a chance to execute the practice of philanthropy fully with no restraints, even as young as we are,” Kent County YPB member Justin Lunn said. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a group that was able to distribute funds to a variety of nonprofits that will impact people of a variety of age groups, ethnic backgrounds and life experiences in Kent County and possibly further.”
In 2023, the DCF provided $16,500 to the Kent YPB, $18,000 to the New Castle County YPB and $17,500 to the Sussex YPB.
This year’s YPB grants were awarded to:
KENT COUNTY
Focus Area: In 2023, YPB Kent County grants are supporting nonprofits that provide assistance for physical well-being (food insecurity, homelessness, etc.) and mental health services that address self-harm (cutting, substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, etc.).
Visions of Hope, Inc. – $5,000 to support the Visions of Hope Residential Program
YWCA of Delaware – $3,567.62 for survivor emergency needs kits
Delaware Guidance Services – $3,432.38 for child-centered play therapy toys
Courageous Hearts – $2,000 for equine therapy
Green Beret Project – $1,250 to support the Equipping Youth for Success Program
St. John’s Community Services – $1,250 to support the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Residential Program
NEW CASTLE COUNTY Focus Area: In 2023, the New Castle County YPB grants were awarded to nonprofits that support the physical and mental health of youth including, but not limited to, those that improve nutrition, food security, positive body image, negative impacts of social media, decrease substance use and youth violence.
Down Syndrome Association (DSA) – $2,500 to support its Down to Box Program
Survivors of Abuse and Recovery (SOAR) – $2,500 for funding for an intake specialist apprenticeship
Tether Foundation – $2,500 to support its athletes mentoring program
Big Brothers Big Sisters – $2,250 to provide mentoring in the summer for students in foster care
Vision to Learn – $2,500 for new pairs of glasses
Supporting Kids – $1,250 to support Healing Pathways
EDGE for Tomorrow – $2,000 to fund its body positive and anti-bullying workshop
YWCA of Delaware – $2,500 to support ESTEEM
SUSSEX COUNTY Focus Area: In 2023, the Sussex County YPB is funding nonprofits that focus on support for those who struggle with access to reproductive (teen pregnancy), mental health and/or substance abuse services. Preference given to nonprofits that mentor middle and high school students that help them avoid and minimize these obstacles.
YWCA of Delaware – $1,500 to support ESTEEM
Zoe Ministries– $1,500 for equine mentoring
Delaware Guidance Services – $1,500 for child-centered play therapy toys
Courageous Hearts – $4,000 for equine therapy
Tether Foundation – $4,000 to support Camp Abilities Delaware
SOAR – $5,000 for specialized trauma training in Sussex County
About the Delaware Community Foundation The mission of the Delaware Community Foundation is to improve the lives of the people of Delaware by empowering and growing philanthropy through knowledge and relationships, now and in the future. As a facilitator, information resource and manager of charitable funds, the DCF helps communities and philanthropists focus charitable resources for the greatest community benefit statewide. For more information, visit delcf.org or call 302.571.8004.
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