Youth Philanthropy Council Leads with Heart & Purpose

The next generation of community leaders is already making an impact right here in White County. Through the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a student-led program of the Community Foundation of White County, local high school students are learning what it means to give, to lead, and to strengthen the place they call home.

This year, YPC members have taken a deep dive into understanding the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets™, a nationally recognized framework that identifies the positive building blocks all young people need to grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. Using this framework as their guide, students developed a grant application to fund projects that nurture these assets in White County schools—focusing on initiatives that build connection, confidence, and community among youth.

The YPC Grant program supports youth-serving organizations and school-based projects within White County that enhance opportunities for students. Grants must align with the Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment and leadership and are intended for projects that wouldn’t otherwise receive traditional funding. Applications are now open and are due January 9, 2026, with awards announced in March and recipients honored at the annual YPC Dinner in May. Organizations interested in applying can find details and the online application form on the Foundation’s website.

The council also elected its own leadership team for the school year, participated in workshops to learn about philanthropy and the role of community foundations, and heard from local leaders about the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement. Beyond the classroom, many YPC members joined together to serve at Pack Away Hunger, hosted by Monticello United Methodist Church, helping to package thousands of meals for families locally and abroad. This effort was part of each member’s goal to complete 10 volunteer hours per semester, a key component of YPC membership that reinforces the value of service through action.

Now in its fourth year, the Youth Philanthropy Council continues to build momentum—not just through service and grantmaking, but also through fundraising to sustain the program for years to come. In just two years, students have raised more than $200,000 toward the creation of a permanent endowment fund and have awarded over $45,000 in community grants to projects that support their peers and schools across the county.

The 2025–2026 Youth Philanthropy Council includes: Mariah Anstett, Sophia Culp, Sami Hindi Jr., Ella Grennes, Paige Gutwein, Addison Govert, Chase Maddox, George Govert III, Ava Getz, Lillie Jaynes, Chase Pekny, Alayna Williams, Ellie Zarse, Harvey Plantenga, Shaylen Shepherd, Emmalyn Stockment, Blake Turner, Katy Westerhouse, and Brooke Greene.

Investing in youth is one of the most powerful ways to shape a community’s future. When young people are given the tools to lead and the trust to make meaningful decisions, they learn that their voices matter—and that they can use them to create lasting change. Through the Youth Philanthropy Council, White County’s students are gaining lifelong lessons in empathy, leadership, and generosity, while inspiring all of us to imagine a brighter tomorrow built on the strength of today’s youth.

To learn more about YPC or apply for a Youth Philanthropy Council Grant, visit www.cfwhitecounty.org/ypc.