The Delaware Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Boards, one in each of Delaware's three counties, are composed of students from public, independent and diocesan high schools throughout the state. Each year these young board members study youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools and learn about community service and grantmaking.

The 2012-2013 YPB grant cycle is closed.

Applications for next year's grants will be available in the fall.

In 1999, retired Delaware educator Phyllis Wynn established the Youth Philanthropy Fund because she wanted to encourage New Castle County youth to become more involved in philanthropic ventures. In the mid-2000s, the Delaware Community Foundation took over the administration of the fund and established additional boards in Kent and Sussex Counties. Students are selected to serve one- or two-year terms by their principal or guidance counselor.

The Youth Philanthropy Boards or YPBs for each county function as though they were a nonprofit organization's board of directors. YPB members do research about their community's needs and really learn about the nonprofit organizations throughout the First State. As active board members, they plan their meetings, develop their grantmaking focus and process and conduct site visits with the nonprofits seeking their grants. They learn the value of teamwork and develop leadership skills. Last year our three YPBs distributed $35,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving young people.

Since the YPB program began 12 years ago, 364 students have served as YPB members and have awarded 153 grants totaling $245,000.

For more information about the Foundation's New Castle County Youth Philanthropy Board, please contact Beth Bouchelle, Director of Grants, at 302.504.5239 or bbouchelle@delcf.org.

To learn about the Kent and Sussex County Youth Philanthropy Boards, please contact Hugh Leahy, Senior Vice President for Southern Delaware at 302.856.4393 or hleahy@delcf.org.

Back To Previous Page