Youth in Philanthropy Awards 2023 Grants

April 18, 2023

Youth in Philanthropy is a philanthropic-oriented education program offered by the Community Giving Foundation. The purpose of the program is for youth to understand the meaning of philanthropy, learn about the local nonprofit world, and take part in the grantmaking process. Through this program, students are empowered to make a positive impact in their communities now and in the future.

Youth in Philanthropy groups, consisting of approximately 15 high school students from 13 school districts in our region, completed their annual grant round during the spring of the 2022-2023 school year. Schools included Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Columbia-Montour AVTS, Danville, Line Mountain, Midd-West, Millville, Northwest, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, and Warrior Run.

Eric Pangelinan, program officer of the Foundation, commented, “This year’s students spent time creating and administering a needs assessment process which included focus groups made up of fellow students and community members. The students synthesized the results of their needs assessment and used this data to prioritize their grant awards.”

This year, 65 grants totaling $63,500 were awarded. On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, student representatives from each group presented grant awards to grantee organizations. The year-end ceremony was held at the Danville High School auditorium. These grants were funded by generous community support. Lists of 2022-23 program sponsors and grant recipients are included below.

Youth in Philanthropy Donors, 2022-2023

  • Anonymous
  • Berwick Health and Wellness Fund
  • Central Columbia Educational Foundation
  • Community Giving Foundation: Sunbury
  • Danville Superintendent’s Educational Initiative
  • Dr. and Mrs. John M. Kurelja
  • Dr. M. Holly Morrison
  • Ennis-Visneski Fund
  • Holdren Family Fund
  • Joan and Fred Miller Family Fund
  • Millville Area School District
  • Millville Community Foundation, Inc.
  • Mrs. Nancy J. Marr
  • Ms. Julie Petrin
  • Ms. Nancy Mathna
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund
  • Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Fund
  • Robinson Donor Advised Fund
  • Seebold Family Fund
  • Sunbury Operating Fund
  • The Booth Family Fund
  • The Cole Family Fund
  • Victor and Linda Marks Family Fund
  • Warrior Run Education Foundation
  • And Other Foundation Donors

Youth in Philanthropy Grant Recipients

Benton students awarded the following grants:

  • Benton Area School District—Family STEM Night, $500
  • Benton Area School District—Growing Greens for Life Skills Expansion, $400
  • Benton Area School District—PAWS, $400
  • Benton Area School District—School and Community Development, $1,500
  • Benton Area School District—SPARK Outreach, $200
  • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Meals and Food for Kids Kamp, $1,500
  • The Children’s Museum—Summer Camp Initiatives: Resources for Benton, $500

Berwick students awarded the following grants:

  • Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts—Projection Room Equipment Upgrade, $500
  • Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling Activities, $500
  • Eos Therapeutic Riding Center—Scholarship for One Rider, $485
  • For the Cause—Teen Center: Teen Tech, $2,515
  • The Children’s Museum—Teen STEM Programming, $500
  • The Exchange—Art Cart, $500

Bloomsburg students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—Daily Bread Program, $500
  • Bloomsburg Memorial Elementary School—Giving Back to Our Schools, $500
  • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with Cancer, $500
  • Saint Columba Church—Food Cupboard Panther Packs, $3,000
  • The Children’s Museum—Scholarship Programs, $500

Central Columbia students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—TOGO Food 4 Kidz and Women in Need, $1,000
  • Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce—Students Coping 2 Thrive, $1,500
  • Orangeville Public Library—Summer Reading Program, $500
  • Saint Columba Church—More Spaghetti Sauce for Food Cupboard Families, $750
  • The Children’s Museum—All Abilities Nights at the Museum, $500
  • The Exchange—Art Cart, $750

Columbia-Montour AVTS students awarded the following grants:

  • Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling, $500
  • Columbia-Montour AVTS—Special Education Department Flexible Seating, $3,000
  • Eos Therapeutic Riding Center—Scholarship for One Rider, $485
  • Single Mothers Individually Living Empowered—High School Back Packs, $515
  • The Children’s Museum—Maker Faire: Manufacturing Project, $500

Danville students awarded the following grants:

  • Danville Child Development Center—Sensory Play for Sound Emotional Health, $1,000
  • Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce—Danville Ironkids Mental Health Initiative, $1,500
  • Good Samaritan Mission—Many Hands Helping Others, $1,500
  • PA Swarm—Youth Support, $500
  • Transitional Housing and Care Center—Feel Through Art, $500

Line Mountain students awarded the following grants:

  • Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $1,000
  • Transitions of PA—Big Life Journey, $4,000

Midd-West students awarded the following grants:

  • Cub Scout Pack 3451—Summer Camp, $700
  • Foundation for Free Enterprise Education—PA Free Enterprise Week 2023 and Speaker Series, $695
  • Grace Covenant Community Church—Middleburg Town Square Mural Project, $605
  • Spring Township—Beaver Springs Ball Park, $1,500
  • Transitions of PA—Big Life Journey, $1,500

Millville students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—Food 2 Go 4 Kidz, $500
  • Millville Area School District—Senior High Student Council Activities, $1,000
  • Millville Area School District—Opportunities in Communities, $1,500
  • The Children’s Museum—DIY Secret Santa Gifts, $1,000
  • ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund—Helping Families Battle Pediatric Cancer, $1,000

Northwest students awarded the following grants:

  • Fairmount Twp Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Co—Twp Fire Hall Rest Room Renovation, $500
  • Historical & Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area—Children’s Library Reading Program, $1,000
  • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Gym/Weight Room Equipment Upgrades, $700
  • Northwest Area School District—Junior/Senior Educational Field Trip, $1,000
  • Northwest Area School District—Nurses Pantry, $300
  • Northwest Area School District—Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, $1,500

Selinsgrove students awarded the following grants:

  • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with Cancer, $1,000
  • Regional Engagement Center—C.A.R.E at the REC, $2,500
  • Summer SEALS Day Camp—Day Camp 2023, $1,500

Shikellamy students awarded the following grants:

  • Central Susquehanna Sight Services—Vision for Your Wellbeing, $500
  • Girls on the Run Mid State PA—Girls on the Run, $1,500
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory: Climbing to Tranquility, $1,000
  • Shikellamy School District—Middle School Comfort Closet, $2,000

Warrior Run students awarded the following grants:

  • Donald L. Heiter Community Center—GTS Theatre Summer Camp 2023, $500
  • Father’s Hope—Hope for the Holidays, $400
  • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with CAncer, $500
  • Kingdom Kidz—SafeKIDZ!, $1,100
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory: Climbing to Tranquility, $500
  • The Children’s Museum—STEM Programs at Montgomery House, $500