youth in philanthropy

The Community Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program is designed by and for our community’s youth. This program provides regional youth the decision-making power and funding to address key youth issues in our community.

YIP teaches area teenagers the importance of giving and serving, encourages youth involvement in philanthropy, and provides ways for local young people to act on issues that are important to them.

Across the country, community foundations like ours have created programs to harness the insight, energy and compassion of youth to benefit local programs by creating participatory grantmaking programs like YIP.

Following proven models, The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region began a Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program in 2005. This program encourages student leadership, volunteerism and community giving by engaging young people in decision-making about the distribution of grant dollars.

In its first session, Youth in Philanthropy began with 6 high school students and has since grown to a program with over 40 participants each year from Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and Fredericksburg. Mentored by adults and led by an insightful group of high school seniors, YIP offers young adults a unique and challenging leadership experience.

YIP members, comprised of 10th, 11th and 12th graders, are responsible for understanding the types of community needs that exist in our region, preparing and disseminating a Request for Proposal to regional nonprofits, reviewing grant applications and conducting site visits, and making funding recommendations to The Community Foundation’s Board of Governors.

Become a YIP!

YIP provides grant funding opportunities once a year to benefit projects that are led by youth, actively involve youth in their implementation, or directly serve or benefit youth. Each program session culminates with YIP members awarding a $10,000 grant. We are proud of each YIP member class and over 15 years of YIP Grant History. 

Donate to this fund.

For more information on the Youth in Philanthrophy program, please contact Ashley McNeil.