Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is pleased to announce their distribution of $12,583 in youth impact grants. Grants were awarded to nine community organizations for a variety of youth serving projects and programs in DeKalb County.

“The end of the year grant allocation meeting in May was definitely a unique experience for YEP,” said YEP Grants Chair Hailee Bosek. “With over 60 members on a video call, we were a little worried about how discussion would work. We were very pleased with the outcome and the great conversations that took place. This year’s allocation meeting had a new lens as we kept COVID-19 adjustments to grant applications top of mind. In a time such as this, it’s encouraging to think through the impact that will come from these programs and projects.”

2020 YEP Grant Recipients:

• Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Inc. – $1,238 to purchase supplies for a new youth therapy space
• DeKalb County Community Gardens – $2,500 to purchase gardening supplies for students in DeKalb County schools
• DeKalb High School Robotics Team – $2,500 to purchase a 3D printer for rapid prototyping of custom robot parts
• Kishwaukee Family YMCA – $2,000 to purchase play equipment for youth age 6 or under in their newly updated play area
• Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association – $447.02 to purchase first aid kits and program supply bags for Camp Maple Leaf
• NIU STEAM – $1,370.60 to fund economically disadvantaged youth to attend virtual NIU STEAM Camps
• Northern Illinois Food Bank – $708.75 to fund backpacks filled with nutritious food for youth in DeKalb County
• Sycamore Community School District #427 – $1,318.63 to purchase gardening and food pantry supplies for an after school youth program
• Sycamore Schools – $500 to provide materials for students to learn and take part in the building of outdoor classroom benches

As a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, YEP exists to familiarize high school students in DeKalb County with local nonprofits, grantmaking, and philanthropy. The program builds up to a final meeting where YEP members are responsible for reviewing grant applications and allocating more than $12,000 into the community. After recommendations are determined, YEP presents their grant decisions to the Community Foundation Board of Directors for final approval.

Learn even more about Youth Engaged in Philanthropy at dekalbccf.org/yep or contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: In early March 2020, a group of YEP members visited the Kishwaukee Family YMCA for a grant application site visit. The visit was an importance piece to YEP’s grant recommendation as it gave them the ability to see the existing kids play equipment in person and ask follow-up questions.