Calling all philanthropic teens: Help decide where $25K goes to help youth

If you know a high school student interested in helping their fellow youth, right here in the Fox River Valley, encourage them to apply to the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program.

YEP helps local high school students explore and learn more about fundraising, grant making, and making a difference in the community.

Right now, the foundation’s 2024-25 YEP cohort, including 40 philanthropy-minded teens representing 12 Fox Valley area high schools, are evaluating grant proposals submitted by area nonprofits serving youth-related causes.

By the end of the school year, YEP students will announce how they have collectively agreed to allocate $25,000 among these agencies to make the greatest positive impact on young people in the Fox River Valley.

Looking ahead to next year, Wednesday, April 30 is the deadline for area high schoolers to apply to join the Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program.

Go to cffrv.org/profile/youth-engagement-in-philanthropy-grantmaking-fund to complete a 2025-26 application, and to learn more how YEP helps area youth gain real-world experience giving back to their community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a nonprofit organization with nearly 700 funds and over $145 million in assets, thanks to the many individuals and families who have generously supported the foundation’s general fund or established their own charitable funds.

It’s the third largest community foundation in Illinois, providing over $7 million in total combined grants each year. The foundation also awards more than $3 million in scholarships to over 500 Fox Valley high school seniors, undergrads and graduate students, and trade school students, on average each year. For more, visit cffrv.org.