At your Community Foundation of White County, we are committed to investing in the next generation of leaders. Through the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), White County sophomores, juniors, and seniors can engage in philanthropy to make a positive difference in their schools. Our young leaders are equipped with passion, knowledge, and dedication to uplifting their community. Meet Addison, a Tri-County senior who is not just dreaming of change, but actively shaping it as a member of the YPC.
Since its inception in January 2023, Addison Douglas has been a vital part of the YPC, a group dedicated to uplifting their school communities. When asked about her experience, Addison shares, “My favorite thing about the YPC is getting to collaborate with other people to make our community a better place for everyone!”
As a young leader, Addison’s vision for creating change extends beyond herself; she is working to build a lasting legacy that inspires other young people to get involved. “I hope to impact White County by encouraging other young leaders to reach out to their community leaders and make a change!”
The YPC provides a platform for students to identify needs in their school communities, work to find solutions to those needs, develop and market grant applications, and award grants for which they can witness the great impact. While the logistics behind running such a program require a lot of coordination and development, at the end of the day, we are most proud to simply cultivate a culture of giving in to young people.
Last fall, the YPC awarded over $9,500 in grants to uplift White County’s school communities. Of those grants, five projects in the Tri-County School Corporation were chosen to be funded. "I am most excited about the backpack program grants because I know that that program reaches many students throughout the school corporation."
Tri-County’s backpack program is a fully operational student-run warehouse that works to reduce food insecurity for Tri-County families. Backpacks are carefully filled with nourishing food items that get sent home with children over the weekend. A truly impressive program, YPC has provided $1,700 in grants total to support these efforts.
Beyond her philanthropic endeavors, Addison enjoys spending her free time with family and diving into a good book. She is also an active member of Business Professionals of America, Sunshine Society, Student Council, golf, and track. Amidst her busy schedule, Addison remains balanced and organized, energized to make a difference in whatever arena she enters.
Looking to the future, Addison plans to attend Purdue University to major in accounting. Even as she prepares for the next chapter of her life, her love for the YPC endures. “I love the YPC and I cannot wait for all of the amazing things that this organization is going to do in the future!" Her optimism is infectious, reminding us all of the power of youth and community collaboration to create meaningful change.
Originally funded through a WHIN Regional Cultivation Fund Grant, the YPC is now developing endowment-building strategies to sustain this program forever. To support the development of the next generation of philanthropists, reach out to Director, Lucy Dold at (574) 583-6911.