The Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Boards (YPBs), one in each of Delaware’s three counties, are composed of students from public, independent and diocesan high schools throughout the state.
Every year, each YPB makes grant recommendations to support impactful projects in their communities. Together, they develop a focus area, solicit and evaluate proposals, conduct site visits and award grants.
2025 was the 26th year of the YPBs. Started by a former DCF Board Member, the program has had over 750 students serve from nearly every high school in Delaware and have awarded over $900,000 in grants. In 2025, our three YPBs distributed a record $111,000 in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations.
Each YPB selects a different focus area. Focus areas for 2025 grants are:
- In 2025, the New Castle County YPB will support programs that increase access to services that provide (youth) with basic necessities including mental health, safe housing, and food security with special consideration given to organizations that have an educational component.
- In 2025, The Kent County YPB will provide support to non-profits that address the vital conditions of health for people and the protection of animals and the environment. Examples are services for the homeless, mental health, violence prevention, student support, and conservation of the land.
- In 2025, The Sussex County YPB wants to assist students and families with their social, economic, and educational development. Nonprofits that focus on the following are encouraged to apply: access to K-12 sports/mentoring/tutoring, basic needs assistance, addiction recovery/prevention, and/or mental health (including animal therapy).
Focus areas for 2026 grants coming soon…
2025-2026 Youth Philanthropy Board Cohorts
New Castle County
David Chen, Angela Zhang, Karrington Johnson, Theresa Dills, Emilie Neild, Asma Muhammad, Dhruvi Patel, Yandel Camacho, Siddarth Sharma, Sophia Gomes, Katherine McCrea, Patrick Pino, Payton Smith, Elisha Liu, Ariana Brice
Kent County
Addison Brode, Eden Cheslock, Lucy Chorman, Evan Easton, Aleem Fields, Ava Gallo, Miranda Garey, Lexi Hay, Jacob Kaminski, Mashira Phelps, Brian Song, Austin Yourek
Sussex County
Chase Ballinger, Marshay Brown, Maximo Castellanos, Fatma Darilmaz, Maribella DiCenzo, Will DiPaolo, Alex Ellis, Shama Estimable, Colleen Holohan, Haley Mills, Floyd Moore V, Danny Nguyen, John Olakowski, Idaina Pasteur, Payton Richie, Avery Rose, Destiny Snow, Aubrey Stanislav, Jack Wells, Nona Wright
The Youth Philanthropy Boards need your support!
To sponsor the students in one county or statewide, please contact Yolanda Rushdan, Senior Program Officer, 302.504.5239.
2027 YPB Grants will open on December 1, 2026.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.