April 15, 2026
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 was thrilled to celebrate a regional milestone in its 22nd program year—all public schools in the Foundation’s 5 1/2 county service area are now participating in the program. Twenty school included Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Columbia-Montour AVTS, Danville, Lewisburg, Line Mountain, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Millville, Milton, Mount Carmel, Northwest, Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy, Southern Columbia, and Warrior Run. Since Youth in Philanthropy’s start in 2004, more than $800,000 has been awarded back into the region through student-led grantmaking.
One student shared, “Youth in Philanthropy has changed the way I think about giving by highlighting the scale at which anyone can make a difference. The grantmaking process emphasized the drastic gap between needs and resources and how nonprofits serve as critical guides to our philanthropic future. This program has made a significant impact on my perspective of ‘community’ and the necessity of lifting others up while giving back to the community that supports me.”
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 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 $100,400 through 125 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 2025-2026 Grant Recipients
Benton students awarded the following grants:
- Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity—”You Belong” Safe2Say Yard Signs and Posters, $200
- Benton Area School District—Aevidum, $500
- Benton Area School District—Motion Mechanics: Engineering Fitness, $500
- Benton Area School District—School Spirit, $1,500
- Benton AYSO—Equipment and Team Socks, $500
- Benton/Waller/Town Hill UMC—Community Thanksgiving Meal, $400
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum—Community Impact through the Museum, $500
- L.R. Appleman Elementary Life Skills Program—Positive Pathways: Reinforcing Success, $500
- Northwest Area School District—2026 Running Rangers Summer Fitness Camp, $500
Berwick students awarded the following grants:
- BALL—Gear Up and Get Outside Initiative, $1,250
- Berwick Area School District—5th Grade PBL Recreation Area, $1,000
- Berwick Area School District—Thomson Run Revival, $1,000
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum—Community Impact through the Museum, $350
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—Pathways to Self-Sufficiency, $250
- For the Cause—Summer Food Distribution, $1,000
- The Cliff Youth Center—Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Trip, $250
Bloomsburg students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community—Bare Necessities: Dignity for All Initiative, $1,000
- Bloomsburg Area School District—Big Panther/Little Panther After-School Mentoring Program, $100
- Bloomsburg Area School District (Evans and Beaver Main)—Little Panther Clothing Closet, $150
- Bloomsburg Area School District (Memorial Elementary)—School Clothing Closet, $250
- Bloomsburg Food Cupboard—Panther Packs, $2,500
- Bloomsburg Area YMCA—Community Resource Hub, $1,000
Central Columbia students awarded the following grants:
- Benton/Waller/Town Hill UMC—Community Thanksgiving Meal, $200
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum—Community Impact through the Museum, $500
- Bloomsburg Food Cupboard—Tuna and Noodles to Feed Families, $1,000
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc.—Decreasing Food Insecurity through Mobile Pantries, $500
- Columbia Montour Council, Scouting America—Sensory Areas within Camp, $250
- Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library—Shelf Care Club: A Mindful Library for Teens and Tweens, $400
- Kelsey’s Dream—Comfort and Support Programs for Children with Cancer, $250
- Orangeville Public Library—Social Emotional Learning Books, $350
- Seeds of the Future—The Power of Beef: Healthy Brain, Body, and Planet, $1,300
- The Exchange—The Art Cart, $250
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit students awarded the following grants:
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—CLOSET, $1,100
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—Five Star Strong: Building Resilience and Connection, $2,500
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—Pathways to Self-Sufficiency, $500
- Friends of Columbia County Traveling Library—Shelf Care Club: A Mindful Library for Teens and Tweens, $400
- Milton Public Library—Together We Read Initiative, $600
Columbia-Montour AVTS students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community—Pathways to Stability: Essential Needs & Crisis Support Project, $1,000
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit—Career & Learning Outfits for Success, Education, and Transition, $500
- Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech—Rams Helping Rams, $900
- For the Cause—Academy of Young Entrepreneurs, $500
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $600
- The Gate House—Pathways to Stability: Hygiene, Wellness, and Stability Program, $1,000
- The Salvation Army—Summer to School Success, $500
Danville students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community—Bridging the Gap Food Service Project, $500
- AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community—Pathways to Stability: Essential Needs & Crisis Support Project, $500
- Danville Area Community Center—Inspire & Transform: Stronger Together, $1,000
- Good Samaritan Mission—Many Hands Helping Others Food Project, $1,000
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, $600
- The Exchange—The Art Cart, $500
- The Gate House—Pathways to Stability: Hygiene, Wellness, and Stability Program, $900
Lewisburg students awarded the following grants:
- Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA—Lewisburg YMCA Financial Assistance Program, $1,500
- Lewisburg Children’s Museum—Count Me In Accessibility Initiative, $1,030
- The Green Dragon Foundation—High School After-School Food Equity Project, $1,030
- Union-Snyder Community Action Agency—Door Dash Food Deliveries at Lewisburg Food Pantry, $1,440
Line Mountain students awarded the following grants:
- Line Mountain Elementary School Hungry Eagle Program—Adaptive Student Culinary Training Kit, $500
- Line Mountain Nourishing Eagles to Soar Weekend Backpack Food Program—Feeding Hungry Kids, $1,000
- Line Mountain School District—Differentiated Learning Opportunities, $1,000
- Line Mountain School District—Unified Inclusion Club Exceptional Easter Egg Hunt, $500
- Trevorton Fire Company #1—Sustainability Support, $2,000
Midd-West students awarded the following grants:
- Beaver Community Fair—Community Mural, $1,500
- Kelsey’s Dream—Comfort and Support Program for Kids with Cancer, $500
- Middleburg Community Projects, Inc.—Flower Planter Project, $2,000
- Snyder County Area Little League—Scoreboard Installation and Lighting Upgrades, $500
- Transitions of PA—Still Blooming Art Group
Mifflinburg students awarded the following grants:
- Getting Ahead Foundation—Nourish and Thrive, $500
- Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA—Lewisburg YMCA Financial Assistance Program, $1,000
- Pay It Forward, The Jaxon Snyder Foundation—Youth Sports Access Program, $500
- SUMMIT Early Learning—Family Support Through Home Visiting Program, $500
- The Human Experience—Mental Health Seminar, $1,000
- Union-Snyder Community Action Agency—Expanding Mifflinburg Mobile Food Pantry with Door Dash, $1,500
Millville students awarded the following grants:
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum—Community Impact through the Museum, $500
- Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library—Shelf Care Club: A Mindful Library for Teens and Tweens, $400
- Millville Area School District—Millville Area Senior High Student Council Activities, $875
- Millville Area School District—Millville Jr/Sr High School Drama Spring Musical, $875
- Millville Area School District—Opportunities in Communities Day, $1,000
- Millville Area School District—Ties and Tiaras Dance, $400
- Millville Area School District (Elementary School)—Author Visit, $750
Milton students awarded the following grants:
- Dwell Orphan Care—Made to Celebrate, $900
- Getting Ahead Foundation—Nourish and Thrive, $1,000
- Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA—Hygiene Pantry, $1,000
- Milton Area School District—Fuel, Focus, and Flex: A Student Support Initiative, $500
- St. Andrew’s UMC Panther Pack Program—Panther Packs, $1,000
- Transitions of PA—Still Blooming Survivor Art Group, $600
Mount Carmel students awarded the following grants:
- A Novel Idea Sr. High Reading Club—PA Renaissance Fair & Book Purchase, $630
- Hope Community Church—Hope in Action, $2,100
- MCA Jr/Sr High School Motivation Committee—Future Rewards, $400
- MCA Youth Sports—Baseball Field Improvement, $500
- Mount Carmel Downtown Inc.—Mount Carmel Community Gardens, $650
- Play It Forward, The Jaxon Snyder Foundation—Youth Sports Access Program, $520
- Susquehanna Council, Scouting America—Campership and Family Assistance, $300
Northwest students awarded the following grants:
- Family Service Association of NEPA—New Laptops for Help Line, $330
- Historical and Preservation Society of Greater Shickshinny—Books for Learning and Fun, $300
- Kelsey’s Dream—Comfort and Support Program for Children with Cancer, $500
- McBride Memorial Library—Summer Reading Teen Internship, $750
- Northern Columbia Community and Cultural Center—Calm Corners: Youth Wellness and Support Space, $500
- Northwest Area School District—5th and 6th Grade Welcome Bags, $300
- Northwest Area School District—Life Skills Dance, $500
- Northwest Area School District—Mrs. Hercik’s 1st Grade Classroom Store, $200
- Northwest Area School District—Nurse’s Pantry, $900
- Running Rangers—2026 Running Rangers Summer Fitness Camp, $720
Selinsgrove students awarded the following grants:
- Bloomsburg Children’s Museum—Community Impact through the Museum, $500
- Kelsey’s Dream—Comfort and Support Programs for Children with Cancer, $500
- Regional Engagement Center—Leadership Club for Teens Focused on Mental Health, $1,750
- Selinsgrove Area School District—Landscape Beautification Project, $2,250
Shamokin students awarded the following grants:
- A&B Children’s Theatre—2026 Summer Theatre, $2,000
- Artisan Alley—Indian Corn, $1,000
- The Human Experience—Mental Health Seminar, $2,000
Shikellamy students awarded the following grants:
- Getting Ahead Foundation—Nourish and Thrive, $500
- Seeds of the Future—Providing Fresh Fruit & Produce to Under-Served Families, $1,700
- Shikellamy School District—Aevidum Club and Clothing Closet Support, $1,800
- Shikellamy School District—Oaklyn Elementary School Comfy Closet, $1,000
Southern Columbia students awarded the following grants:
- AGAPE Love From Above to Our Community—Bare Necessities: Dignity for All Initiative, $3,000
- Bloomsburg Area YMCA—Community Resource Hub: Strong Minds Strong Family Initiatives, $1,000
- Ralpho Township Public Library—Little Free Pantry Restock, $500
- The Dental Health Clinic—2026 Oral Health Project, $500
Warrior Run students awarded the following grants:
- Association for Inclusion, Respect, and Equity—”You Belong” Safe2Say Yard Signs and Posters, $200
- Family Service Association of NEPA—New Laptops for Help Line, $530
- Foundation for Free Enterprise Education—Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week 2026 and Speaker Series, $195
- Kelsey’s Dream—Comfort and Support Programs for Children with Cancer, $1,000
- Kingdom Kidz—SafeKIDZ!, $1,000
- Milton Lutheran Church—Self-Care Sanctuary, $500
- Northern Montour Recreation Association—Refrigerator Replacement, $500
- Susquehanna Valley Law Enforcement—2026 Camp Cadet, $500
- Transitions of PA—Still Blooming Survivor Art Group, $675
Youth in Philanthropy is a regional program of the Community Giving Foundation, a convener and connector of people, resources, and ideas. The Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds—including permanent, flexible endowments that meet local needs and personalized giving services that achieve donor goals—and annually distributes over $4 million in grants and scholarships. Through local expertise and partnerships, the Foundation is uniquely positioned to connect community giving with community needs to maximize impact—today, tomorrow, and forever. Contact us to learn more.