Did you know there’s a group of young people out in the community actively leading and making positive change? Let me introduce you to White County’s Youth Philanthropy Council!
On August 26th, your Community Foundation of White County welcomed its third cohort of the Youth Philanthropy Council. This distinguished group of young leaders is a committee under the Foundation, made up of seventeen high school students from our four county schools, working together to strengthen our community.
The mission of the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) is to empower White County youth by cultivating philanthropic engagement and leadership. Each year, YPC administers their very own grant cycle to fund initiatives that support their school systems. Through the development of their leadership abilities and skills, continued philanthropic and community education, and diving deeper into the grantmaking process, these council members are empowered to create an impact they can witness.
So far, the third cohort attended a three-hour orientation to build a necessary foundation for the program. Gratefully, many community partners stepped up to help make this year’s orientation extra special: Tori Lynn Criswell donated her time to capture group photos and individual head shots that will be featured on the YPC website soon; Wolcott Café prepared an incredible meal for the group to enjoy; Camp Tecumseh’s Joy McCauley’s goofiness spread among the group during get-to-know-you activities; Mickey B’s pressed custom t-shirts, showcasing the YPC logo that former YPC member, Charli McMillin created; and the White County Highway Garage generously allowed the YPC to utilize their conference room, ensuring that members are traveling to a central point of the county.
Serving on the Youth Philanthropy Council this year is Liam Kyle, Lorelai Miller, Morgan Galyen, Alayna Williams, Mady Westerhouse, Sophia Culp, Allie Hall, Chase Pekny, Paige Gutwein, Ella Grennes, Drew Turner, Ava Getz, Sami Hindi Jr., Lillie Jaynes, Ellie Zarse, Mariah Anstett, and Murphy Misch. Soon, this group will nominate and hold elections for leadership positions.
The YPC was originally formed in January of 2023 and funded by a grant from Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN). Those grant dollars have supported the efforts of the YPC for its first two years of activity. As the grant funds near depletion, the Community Foundation of White County is committing to the sustainability of this program through the creation of the Youth Philanthropy Council Endowment. Contributions into this endowment are currently being matched 5:1, sextupling your investment in the next generation of philanthropists and community leaders.
The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) is making a significant impact in White County, with $30,000 in grants awarded total to uplift local schools. Take, for example, Leander Hoover’s project, "Building Guitars and Bridging Cultures," which brought hands-on learning to students and fostered collaboration across classrooms at North White. Another success story is from Gretchen Innocent, a kindergarten teacher who used her YPC grant to attend the nationally recognized "Elevate the Kindergarten Classroom" conference. She returned with new skills and resources, which she shared with the entire Frontier Elementary staff, creating a ripple effect of positive change. Over at Tri-County, the backpack program, which helps reduce hunger by sending food home with children each weekend, has been strengthened with support from two YPC grants. At Twin Lakes, Dr. Hawthorne used a YPC grant to purchase flexible seating, making a positive impact on students' mental health. These stories highlight the powerful role the YPC is playing in shaping a brighter future for our school communities, and we look forward to another year of impact.
Read more about the Youth Philanthropy Council at www.cfwhitecounty.org/ypc or reach out to director, Lucy Dold to learn how you can get involved! (574) 583-6911.