The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), established in 2008 by the Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge, is a student-led grantmaking body designed to cultivate local youth leadership through hands-on experience in philanthropy. The program targets sophomores, juniors, and seniors from public and private high schools in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County, Virginia. By empowering young people to participate in funding decisions, the YPC seeks to enhance civic engagement and local stewardship among the region’s future leaders.
The YPC is allocated a total of $30,000 annually by the Community Foundation to distribute as grants to local nonprofit organizations. These nonprofits span a wide array of service areas including homelessness, food security, the arts, animal welfare, youth development, and environmental conservation. Organizations such as Valley Mission, Salvation Army, and the YMCA are typical examples of the types of groups that may be considered for funding. The program allows youth council members to determine the community's greatest needs and decide how to allocate resources accordingly.
Students participating in the YPC meet monthly throughout the school year. During these sessions, they engage with local community leaders and experts to learn about pressing regional issues. The council then collectively identifies funding priorities and designs a grant application for nonprofit organizations. Once applications are received, students deliberate and decide on funding recipients and award amounts.
The application and decision-making process is driven by the students, and emphasizes thoughtful contribution, confidentiality, and stewardship of resources. Expectations for participants include timely meeting attendance, honest engagement, and responsible handling of the grant funds. The YPC model not only supports nonprofit efforts in the region but also offers a unique educational opportunity for youth to understand philanthropy, leadership, and social impact.
Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for funding from the YPC must respond to the grant application developed by the council. Although specific eligibility criteria for applicants are not detailed in the current materials, it is implied that eligible recipients are 501(c)(3) organizations operating within the Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County area. The process is designed to be responsive to local community needs as defined by youth voices.
For further information about the Youth Philanthropy Council or to engage in the grant process, interested parties are encouraged to contact Miriam Burrows at mburrows@cfcbr.org or call 540-213-2150.
