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.
2024 was the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the YPBs. Started by a former DCF Board Member, the program has had over 700 students serve from nearly every high school in Delaware and have awarded over $800,000 in grants. In 2024, our three YPBs distributed a record $71,492 in grants to 26 nonprofit organizations. View previous grant recipients.
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).
2024-2025 Youth Philanthropy Board Cohorts
New Castle County
Lauren Bolarinwa, Josephine Calder, Chazz Chamblee, Theresa Dills, Naima Ellis-Daniels, Christina Liapis, Avery Martinenza, Asma Muhammad, Dhurvi Patel, Liliana Powell, Arely Reyes, Ian Rippon, Janiyah Stovall-Baynard, Gabrielle Weedor
Kent County
Addi Brode, Lucy Chorman, Owen Eichholz, Elyse Fuller, Ava Gallo, Mason Hay, Landon Hughes, Thea Paxton, Sage Sawhney, Tierra Shockley, Brian Song, Eliana Totimeh, Austin Yourek
Sussex County
Braiden Alexander, Diana Angel-Gabriel, Anna Beck, Ashly Benavides, Darcy Crotty, Fatma Darilmaz, Maribella DiCenzo, Will DiPaolo, Phoebe Francois, Gina Gruwell, Elizabeth Martin, Kendall McCabe, Katie Nguyen, Kieran Probert, Payton Richie, Destiny Snow, Aubrey Stanislav, William Wells, Nona Wright, Allen Zhang
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.
2025 YPB Grants will open on December 1, 2024.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.