March 2026
WHERE GIVING MEETS COMMUNITY
Insights on local generosity, nonprofit work, and the needs shaping our region.
By Katie Simpson, Community Giving Foundation
Many believe that our hope for the future lies in today’s youth, the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers. But leadership doesn’t develop by accident. It grows when youth are trusted with responsibility, invited into meaningful conversations, and given opportunities to see how their actions can shape the world around them.
That belief is at the heart of the Community Giving Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program.
For more than two decades, Youth in Philanthropy has empowered high school students across our region to embrace their role in local giving. Through hands-on learning and real decision-making students don’t just learn about giving—they practice it. They ask hard questions, assess needs, collaborate with peers, and ultimately direct grant dollars to programs that support youth in their schools and communities.
This year marks a significant milestone for the program. For the first time, all public school districts in the Foundation’s 5 1/2 county service area are participating. More than 250 students from 20 school groups are serving as youth grantmakers, collectively awarding $100,000 in local grants next month. It’s a powerful example of what happens when communities invest in local youth and trust them to lead.
Throughout the school year, students explore the meaning of philanthropy, nonprofit structures, the importance of volunteerism, and the realities of limited resources. They survey their peers to understand local needs, analyze data, review grant applications, and make funding decisions together. In the process, they build leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills that will serve them for life.
Just as importantly, students see the impact of their choices. One student shared that it’s one thing to talk about community needs in a meeting, but something entirely different to see how a funded program is supporting people like them. Those moments spark pride, empathy, and a deeper understanding of how generosity translates into real change.
Youth in Philanthropy’s impact extends well beyond high school. Over the program’s history, more than 750 student-led grants totaling nearly $800,000 have been awarded back into the region. Many alumni remain engaged in the local community, serving as volunteers, nonprofit leaders, educators, donors, and even Foundation board members. For them, Youth in Philanthropy planted the seed for a lifelong connection to community giving.
This lasting impact is possible because of the many donors and community partners who believe in the importance of instilling a culture of generosity early. Their support ensures that students don’t just inherit our communities—they help shape them.
At it’s core, Youth in Philanthropy is about connection and engagement. When young people are invited to invest in their communities, they develop a sense of ownership and loyalty to the place they call home. They begin to understand that strong communities are built through shared effort, informed decisions, and compassion for others. And it prompts them to want to stay local.
As we look ahead, empowering the next generation of givers may be one of the most meaningful investments we can make. By teaching youth how community giving works and why it matters, we’re not just preparing future donors—we’re building thoughtful, engaged community leaders who understand that giving, when done with intention, has the power to shape a brighter future for us all.
Join us on April 15th to hear directly from students during Youth in Philanthropy’s end-of-year celebration and grant awards ceremony. Learn more and register here.