Staunton, Virginia, September 17, 2009—Building on a national trend in youth philanthropy and increased civic engagement among the young, the Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) enters its second year.
After noting that over 60% of its annual competitive grants are typically awarded to youth programs, The Community Foundation created a teen-led council to promote youth development and leadership by broadening experiences in philanthropy.

The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) is a youth-focused and youth-administered committee operating as a grant-making board.  “Who better to determine the needs of our community youth and how to best address those needs than the youth themselves?” says Becky Kohler, President and CEO of the Community Foundation.
In 2008, the committee’s first year, the Youth Philanthropy Council granted $7,500 to three local organizations.  Looking back on the young people’s performance, Grants Manager Christiana Shields says she was pleased. “The group brought fresh perspective, thoughtful analysis, and high standards to the task.  We look forward to new conversations and insights this year.”

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of 14 exceptional young people to the Youth Philanthropy Council, an advisory board tasked with providing input on youth-focused community grant making strategies.  Two students are selected from each area high school to sit on the YPC.  Principals and/or guidance counselors choose students based on leadership skills and an interest in community service.  The 14 members of the 2009/10 Youth Philanthropy Council are:

* Michael Bugas and Todd Wells (Fort Defiance High School)
* Renee Coyner and Matthew Riley (Riverheads High School)
* Lauren Ford and Brett Houlihan (Stuarts Draft High School)
* Elizabeth Godsey and Steven McCauley (Wilson Memorial High School)
* Amber Balsamo and Jacob Reeves (Buffalo Gap High School)
* Sara Kathlenn “Kate” Garber and Jordan Driskill (Waynesboro High School)
* Jeffrey Carter and Maryanne Capps (Robert E. Lee High School)

The YPC’s first meeting is September 17th.  Students will continue to meet monthly, with early training sessions on leadership and decision-making skills, key grant components, and processes to evaluate grant applications.  The YPC will conduct a needs assessment among their peers, who will help them identify critical community needs.  After January, grant applications will be reviewed and debated, and final recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors of The Community Foundation.

Grant applications from local nonprofits are due in January 2010. For more information on how to be a part of the Youth Philanthropy Council or to apply for a grant, please visit www.communityfoundationcbr.org.