Youth in Philanthropy Awards 2024 Grants

April 18, 2024

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 15 school districts in our region, completed their annual grant round during the spring of the 2023-2024 school year. Schools included Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Columbia-Montour AVTS, Danville, Lewisburg, Line Mountain, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Millville, Northwest, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, and Warrior Run.

Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu, Foundation Director of Philanthropy, commented, “The students have excelled this year, with each of the fifteen districts ensuring that this important work is executed with care and dedication. Their efforts have not only made a significant impact in their individual communities, but also initiated a ripple effect in our region, extending far beyond these walls. They are truly an inspiring group to work with.”

This year, 82 grants totaling $75,000 were awarded. On Thursday, April 18, 2024, student representatives from each Youth in Philanthropy group presented grant awards to organizations during a year-end ceremony held at the Danville High School auditorium. These grants were funded by generous community support. For a list of program sponsors and more information on the Youth in Philanthropy program, visit csgiving.org/youth-in-philanthropy or contact Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu at [email protected].

Youth in Philanthropy 2023-2024 Grant Recipients

Benton students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—Daily Bread Program, $800
  • Benton Area School District—Summer Kitchen STEM, $500
  • Benton AYSO—Investing in Our Community, $500
  • For the Cause—Mind Matters Teen Wellness Program, $500
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc.—Kids Kash Program, $700
  • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Summer/Winter Camp Food Security, $1,500
  • The Children’s Museum—Unleashing Potential: Out of School STEM, $500

Berwick students awarded the following grants:

  • Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling Activities, $500
  • For the Cause—Teen Center Academy of Young Entrepreneurs, $1,500
  • Girl Scouts—Leadership Experience, $250
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory Kids Kash, $500
  • The Dental Health Clinic—Operation Dental Flicks, $2,000
  • The Exchange—Art Cart, $250

Bloomsburg students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—Daily Bread and Storeroom Program, $1,000
  • Bloomsburg Area YMCA—Fall Sweatshirt Drive, $350
  • For the Cause—Bloomsburg Teen Center First Friday Fun Nights, $800
  • Saint Columba Church—Bloomsburg Food Cupboard Panther Packs, $2,850

Central Columbia students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—WIN Program, $500
  • For the Cause—Academy of Young Entrepreneurs, $1,100
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory Kids Kash, $1,000
  • Orangeville Public Library—Mental Health Print Resources for Children and Teens, $500
  • Seeds of the Future—My Food and My Community: Empowering Students Through Understanding Agriculture, $900
  • The Gate House—Opening the Gates to Mental Health, $1,000

Columbia-Montour AVTS students awarded the following grants:

  • AGAPE Love From Above To Our Community—Columbia-Montour Angel Tree, $1,000
  • Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling Activities, $500
  • Columbia-Montour AVTS—Rams Care Closet, $500
  • Columbia-Montour AVTS—Rams Reading Corner, $500
  • For the Cause—Academy of Young Entrepreneurs, $1,000
  • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Youth Mental Health Outlets, $1,000
  • The Children’s Museum—I Can Make That!, $500

Danville students awarded the following grants:

  • Good Samaritan Mission—Many Hands Helping Others: Kids Food and Bed Program, $2,000
  • Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association—Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership Accessibility, $750
  • Ronald McDonald House—Camp Dost, $750
  • The Exchange—Art Cart, $500
  • The Gate House—Opening the Gates to Mental Health, $1,000

Lewisburg students awarded the following grants:

  • Central Susquehanna Sight Services—Good Vision in Early Childhood, $250
  • Camp Koala—Children’s Grief Support Group, $1,300
  • Transitions of PA—Therapy for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, $1,200
  • Union-Snyder Community Action Agency—Lewisburg Family Food Program, $2,250

Line Mountain students awarded the following grants:

  • Hickory Corners and Community Fire Company—AED Purchase, $3,500
  • Line Mountain Area Food Bank—Program Support, $300
  • Line Mountain School District—Life Skills Class Coffee Cart, $700
  • Line Mountain School District—Unified Inclusion Club, $500

Midd-West students awarded the following grants:

  • Camp Koala—School Grief Support Group, $1,500
  • Grace Covenant Community Church—Cub Scout Summer Camp, $500
  • Middlecreek Area Community Center—2024 MACC Youth Outreach, $1,500
  • Snyder County Area Little League—Freemont Softball Field Construction, $1,500

Mifflinburg students awarded the following grants:

  • Camp Koala—After School Grief Camps, $700
  • DIG Furniture Bank—Improving Mifflinburg Students Mental Health, $600
  • Mifflinburg Area Community Center—2024 MACC Youth Outreach, $1,500
  • Mifflinburg Community Parks Action Project—Bench and Signage, $1,000
  • Snyder County Area Little League—Freemont Softball Field Construction, $1,500

Millville students awarded the following grants:

  • Millville Area School District—Junior High Student Council, Girl Essentials: Bathroom Supplies, $500
  • Millville Area School District—Opportunities in Communities, $1,500
  • Millville Area School District—Quaker Station School Store, $500
  • Millville Area School District—Senior High Student Council Activities, $2,000
  • The Children’s Museum—Millville: Igniting Spirit, Building Price, $500

Northwest students awarded the following grants:

  • Historical & Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area—Shickshinny FLT Children’s Library, $1,000
  • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Youth Mental Health Outlets, $630
  • Northwest Area Athletics—School Spirit Enhancement, $750
  • Northwest Area Running Rangers—Summer Camp, $750
  • Northwest Area School District—7th Grade Coal Mine Tour, $320
  • Northwest Area School District—Junior/Senior Educational Field Trip, $750
  • Northwest Area School District—Nurses Pantry, $500
  • Northwest Area School District—Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Railriders STEM Day, $300

Selinsgrove students awarded the following grants:

  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory Kids Kash, $500
  • Regional Engagement Center—Summer Camp Program, $1,100
  • Summer SEALS Day Camp—Day Camp 2024, $1,000
  • Susquehanna Council Boy Scouts of America—Camps, $2,000
  • Transitions of PA—Teen U, $500

Shikellamy students awarded the following grants:

  • Caring Communities for AIDS—Rapid Testing Expansion Initiative, $1,500
  • Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—Wellness Project, $600
  • Central Susquehanna Sight Services—Good Vision in Early Childhood, $400
  • Nicholas Wolff Foundation—Camp Victory Kids Kash, $1,000
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1532—Physical Fitness Pull Up Bars for Kids, $1,500

Warrior Run students awarded the following grants:

  • Camp Koala—School Grief Support Group, $1,000
  • DIG Furniture Bank—Improving Warrior Run Students’ Mental Health with a Good Night’s Sleep, $600
  • Father’s Hope—Hope for the Holidays, $400
  • Hunter’s Heart & Hustle Foundation—Scholarship for Hunter’s Heart & Hustle Football and Cheer Camp, $500
  • Kelsey’s Dream—Program Support, $500
  • Kingdom Kidz—SafeKIDZ!, $1,100
  • Northern Montour Recreation Association—Subsidized Swimming Lessons, $900