February 17, 2026
High school students from a record 20 school districts and groups are serving as youth grantmakers through the Community Giving Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program. This year marks the 22nd year of the program, bringing more than 250 students together to create visible impact in their schools and communities.
Youth in Philanthropy empowers students across the region to take a hands-on approach to community giving as they learn about philanthropic values and principles while developing leadership skills. Throughout the school year, students develop a set of funding priorities determined through needs assessment surveys conducted in their schools and communities. Each school group uses the information collected to review grant applications, awarding up to $5,000 to support youth-related programs. This year, students will work together to award a record $100,000 in local grants, presented at the program’s end-of-year ceremony on April 15, 2026.
Applications for Youth in Philanthropy grant opportunities are available starting February 18th. Each school group has their own service area and funding priority areas (see below). New this year, a universal application through the Foundation’s web-based grant program will be utilized. Applicants may apply to more than one school. Visit csgiving.org/grants to apply. Grant requests must be submitted online by 11:59pm on March 11, 2026.
For grant-related questions, please contact Karri Harter, Grant and Scholarship Administrator, at 570-752-3930 ext. 6 or [email protected]. For questions on the Youth in Philanthropy program, contact Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu, Director of Philanthropy, at 570-752-3930 ext. 3 or [email protected].
Funding Priority Areas
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- Benton Students
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- Berwick Students
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- Bloomsburg Students
BENTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Benton will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: athletics, mental health, and school spirit. Due to Benton’s program funding, all grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund service area (see list of townships/boroughs here).
BERWICK AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Berwick will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: basic needs, job development, and outdoor experiences. Due to Berwick’s program funding, all grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund service area (see list of townships/boroughs here).
BLOOMSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Bloomsburg will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene), mental health, and peer conflict. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
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- Central Columbia Students
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- CSIU Students
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- CMVT Students
CENTRAL COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Central Columbia will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: bullying, food insecurity, and mental health issues. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
CENTRAL SUSQUEHANNA INTERMEDIATE UNIT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from CSIU will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: access to mental health services, bullying prevention and response, and support for low income families. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the CSIU’s regional service area.
COLUMBIA-MONTOUR AREA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Columbia-Montour AVTS will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: bullying intervention, career readiness, and mental health resources. Due to Columbia-Montour AVTS’s program funding, all grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund service area (see list of townships/boroughs here).
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- Danville Students
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- Lewisburg Students
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- Line Mountain Students
DANVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Danville will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: career readiness/scholarships, mental health resources, and school safety. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
LEWISBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Lewisburg will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: affordable/healthy food, affordable community recreation spaces with activities, and public transportation. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
LINE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Line Mountain will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: better technology and school resources, food insecurity, and resources for volunteer fire departments. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
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- Midd-West Students
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- Mifflinburg Students
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- Millville Students
MIDD-WEST SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Midd-West will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: after school activities, community/places to study, and safe, comfortable places to go. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
MIFFLINBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Mifflinburg will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: access to community activities/facilities, school environment improvements, and support for families struggling with poverty and mental health. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
MILLVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Millville will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: eliminating waste, mental health and mindfulness, and school culture/belonging/acceptance. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
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- Milton Students
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- Mount Carmel Students
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- Northwest Students
MILTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Milton will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: basic needs, food access, and mental health resources. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
MOUNT CARMEL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Mount Carmel will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: care for the environment, student involvement/after school activities, and support for low income families. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
NORTHWEST AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Northwest will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: employment struggles, mental health, and substance abuse. Due to Northwest’s program funding, all grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund service area (see list of townships/boroughs here).
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- Selinsgrove Students
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- Shamokin Students
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- Shikellamy Students
SELINSGROVE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Selinsgrove will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: bullying/school safety, career readiness, and mental health. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
SHAMOKIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Shamokin will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: mental health, substance abuse, and youth activities. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
SHIKELLAMY SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Shikellamy will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: mental health/help resources, school safety/bullying, and support for low income families. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
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- Southern Columbia Students
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- Warrior Run Students
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Southern Columbia will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: hygiene, mental health, and tutoring. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
WARRIOR RUN SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Youth in Philanthropy group from Warrior Run will distribute $5,000 in grants to local organizations serving their community. After surveying their peers and school community, the following top needs were identified: bullying, pressure to succeed, and substance abuse/body image. All grant requests must support services provided to youth residing in the school district.
Youth in Philanthropy is a program of the Community Giving Foundation. To make a general donation to support this program’s continued success across the region, click here.
Community Giving Foundation identifies regional and local needs and opportunities through a data-driven lens, serving as a resource for donors, nonprofits, and all those who want to make a difference in their community. The Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, helping donors maximize their community impact in the Central Susquehanna region both now and for future generations.