April 15, 2025
Youth in Philanthropy, a program of the Community Giving Foundation, empowers high school students across the region as they work together to create visible impact in their schools and communities. Through educational activities and a hands-on approach to giving and grantmaking, students learn about the meaning of “philanthropy”, the local nonprofit sector, and the importance of volunteerism. After surveying their peers to build local needs assessments, each group organized their own grant round to support local youth programs in their communities.
Youth in Philanthropy has experienced tremendous growth over its 21-year history. Since the program’s start, more than $700,000 has been awarded back into the region through student-led grantmaking. Groups from a record 18 school districts participated this year: Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Columbia-Montour AVTS, Danville, Lewisburg, Line Mountain, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Millville, Milton, Northwest, Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy, and Warrior Run.
“Youth in Philanthropy is teaching us how to give back to people who need it, making a difference in their lives and in our community. We’re excited to keep learning different skills and use our time, talent, treasure, and ties to create a big impact,” students shared as they reflected on their first program year.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, students connected with local nonprofits and community groups to present their final grant awards during a year-end celebration held at the Danville High School. This year, students collectively distributed $90,000 through 103 grants. Funding for these grant opportunities was made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses, Foundation funds, and other community partners. For more information on the Youth in Philanthropy program and how you can partner with us to support future community philanthropists, visit csgiving.org/youth-in-philanthropy or contact Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu at [email protected].
Youth in Philanthropy 2024-2025 Grant Recipients
Benton students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Benton School Daily Bread, $500
- Benton Area School District—Building a Better Community through STEM, $800
- Benton Area School District—Grow the Love of Reading, $500
- Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Summer Camp Food Security, $1,700
- The Children’s Museum—Summer Camps at the N4Cs, $500
Berwick students awarded the following grants:
- Berwick Area School District—Greenhouse Rehabilitation, $700
- Berwick Theater—2025 Berwick Theater & Youth in Philanthropy Initiative(s), $600
- Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling Activities, $500
- Borough of Berwick—Access for All at Sponsler Park, $600
- For the Cause—Summer Food Distribution, $1,500
- The Children’s Museum—After School & Summer Camp Opportunities for Berwick Middle & High School Students, $600
- The Exchange—Art Cart, $500
Bloomsburg students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Bloomsburg Daily Bread, $500
- Bloomsburg Food Cupboard—Panther Packs, $2,750
- For the Cause—Bloomsburg Teen Center Drop-In Counseling Programs, $1,750
Central Columbia students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Central WIN Program, $500
- Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity—Youth Group & Anti-Bullying Campaign, $400
- Central Columbia High School—A-OK Club Patio Funding, $800
- For the Cause—Bloomsburg Teen Center Drop-In Counseling Program, $1,300
- Orangeville Public Library—Expansion of Mental Health Book Collection, $500
- Seeds of the Future—The Math & Science of Farm to Table, $1,000
- The Children’s Museum—All Ability Night at the Museum, $500
Columbia-Montour AVTS students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Vo-Tech WIN Program, $500
- Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity—Youth Group & Anti-Bullying Campaign, $500
- Beyond Violence—Youth Counseling Activities, $500
- Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech—Rams Care Closet, $1,500
- For the Cause—Academy of Young Entrepreneurs, $500
- Foundation for Free Enterprise Education—2025 Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, $500
- Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—”Let’s Stop the Bullying” Social Enrichment, $500
- Orangeville Public Library—Print Resources for Student/Teen Challenges, $500
CSIU students awarded the following grants:
- Camp Koala—Monthly Grief Camps, $1,000
- CSIU—Beyond Basics: Essential Support for Student Success, $1,000
- CSIU—CLOSET: Career & Learning Outfits for Success, Education, Transition, $1,000
- CSIU—ELECT’s Expanding Access to Hygiene Initiative, $750
- CSIU—Five Star Elementary Music, $381
- CSIU—Puppet Pals: Finding Words for Feelings, MDS/AS Classrooms, $269
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $600
Danville students awarded the following grants:
- Good Samaritan Mission—Future Builders Initiative, $2,000
- Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association—Camp Chillisquaque at Montour Preserve, $1,000
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $600
- The Exchange—Art Cart, $400
- The Salvation Army—Back to School Shopping Program, $1,000
Lewisburg students awarded the following grants:
- Camp Koala—Monthly Grief Camps, $1,000
- DIG Furniture Bank—Housewarming Basket Supplies, $600
- Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc.—Kids Cash for Camp Victory, $1,000
- The Green Dragon Foundation—Snack Pack Program, $400
- Union-Snyder Community Action Agency—Food Assistance for Lewisburg Families, $2,000
Line Mountain students awarded the following grants:
- Hickory Corners & Community Fire Company—Fire Prevention Involvement & Education, $1,000
- Line Mountain Area Food Bank—Program Support, $1,500
- Line Mountain Nourishing Eagles to Soar Weekend Backpack Food Program—Feeding Hungry Kids, $1,000
- Line Mountain School District—Continuation of the PEP Club, $500
- Line Mountain School District—Line Mountain Unified Inclusion Club, $500
- Supporting Animals in Family Emergencies—Program Support, $500
Midd-West students awarded the following grants:
- Christ Church—Every Person Matters, $300
- DIG Furniture Bank—Building Stable Homes for Midd-West Families, $250
- Grace Covenant Community Church—Cub Scout Summer Camp, $750
- Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA—Middlecreek Area Community Branch: Youth Program Expansion, $2,500
- Snyder County Area Little League—Concession Stand Upgrades, $1,200
Mifflinburg students awarded the following grants:
- Camp Koala—Monthly Grief Camps, $500
- DIG Furniture Bank—Housewarming Baskets for Mifflinburg Families, $600
- Father’s Hope—Hope for the Holidays, $200
- Getting Ahead Foundation—Getting Ahead in Mifflinburg: Education & Empowerment Program, $1,000
- Mifflinburg Heritage & Revitalization Association—STEAM Youth Programming, $1,200
- Union-Snyder Community Action Agency—Mifflinburg Mobile Food Pantry, $1,500
Millville students awarded the following grants:
- Millville Area School District—Courtyard Revitalization, $2,250
- Millville Area School District—Millville National Honor Society Mini-THON, $2,250
- The Children’s Museum—Spreading Joy & Building Spirit, $500
Milton students awarded the following grants:
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.—CSO Food Program, $1,500
- DIG Furniture Bank—Providing a Good Night’s Sleep for Milton Youth, $2,000
- Kelsey’s Dream—Program Support, $1,000
- Milton Lutheran Church—Self-Care Sanctuary, $500
Northwest students awarded the following grants:
- Boy Scouts of America Troop 17—Paver Patio Project at Northwest High School, $1,000
- Historical & Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area—Summer Projects, $200
- Northwest Area School District—2025 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders STEM Day, $300
- Northwest Area School District—Aevidum Club Sponsored Dance for Life Skills, $550
- Northwest Area School District—Field Trip to Franklin Institute & Body Worlds Vital Exhibit, $1,000
- Northwest Area School District—First Grade Sensory Outlet Carpet & Small Group Reward Area, $370
- Northwest Area School District—Junior/Senior Educational Field Trip, $500
- Northwest Area School District—Nurses Pantry, $250
- Northwest Area School District—Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, $500
- Northwest Area School District—School Spirit for Students, $330
Selinsgrove students awarded the following grants:
- Regional Engagement Center—Free Summer Drop-In Program, $550
- Selinsgrove Area School District—Greenhouse Vitality Project, $2,250
- Summer SEALS Day Camp—2025 Day Camp, $1,000
- Transitions of PA—Therapy for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, $1,200
Shamokin students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Shamokin WIN Program, $500
- Artison Alley—ACE (Address, Collaborate, Engage) via Engagement Fairs, $2,500
- For the Cause—Shamokin Youth Action Board, $1,000
- Seeds of the Future—Soil Grow Bags: Empowering Youth & Their Families Through Seed Planting, $575
- Transitions of PA—Therapy for Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, $425
Shikellamy students awarded the following grants:
- Getting Ahead Foundation—Getting Ahead in Sunbury, $1,000
- Rhoads to a New U—Job Readiness Support, $1,250
- Seeds of the Future—Shikellamy Summer STEAM Camp, $1,250
- Susquehanna River Valley Dental Health Clinic—2025 Project Oral Health Improvement for Youth, $1,500
Warrior Run students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Warrior Run WIN Program, $500
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.—CSO Food Program, $1,500
- DIG Furniture Bank—Building Stable Homes for Warrior Run Families, $500
- Foundation for Free Enterprise Education—2025 Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, $300
- Hunter’s Heart & Hustle Foundation—Scholarship for Football & Cheer Camp, $500
- Kingdom Kidz—SafeKIDZ!, $500
- Northern Montour Recreation Association—Freezer Replacement, $700
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $500
Students pose with nonprofit representatives who received grants during the Youth in Philanthropy event on April 15th.