Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is excited to announce their distribution of $14,725 in youth impact grants. Thirteen community and nonprofit organizations received grants for various youth-serving projects and programs in DeKalb County.

“Youth Engaged in Philanthropy has allowed me to serve alongside other youth to give back to DeKalb County,” said student member Elizabeth Kleckner, YEP Grants Chair. “This year, we successfully allocated $14,725 to organizations to improve the quality of life for youth in the county. I am extremely thankful for YEP’s influence in my life and its influence on our community. I look forward to seeing these grants put to work this year and beyond.”

2023 YEP Grant Recipients:

• Barb Food Mart – $300 to supply gender inclusive period packs for students at DeKalb schools.
• Building Leaders Advocating for Change – $1,300 to support a STEAM learning experience.
• DeKalb County Community Gardens – $1,896 to provide supplies for worm farms/composting trainings.
• Equine Dreams – $1,350 to provide sand for an outdoor arena for therapy horses.
• Genoa Township Park District – $600 to supply start-up materials for youth running races in the community.
• Hope Haven of DeKalb County, Inc. – $1,542 to provide and update youth therapy materials at the shelter.
• Kishwaukee Family YMCA – $700 to purchase table games for the youth activity center.
• NIU STEAM – $1,000 to expand Teen and Family Stem Cafe’s across the county.
• Opportunity DeKalb – $750 to host a Fall Family STEAM night in DeKalb.
• Pushing Together NFP – $2,000 to provide skateboarding shoes for youth in need.
• Sycamore Education Foundation – $750 to upgrade and enhance technology for youth TV production (Spartan TV).
• Sycamore School District #427 – $487 provide supplies to help create a video game club during their summer OSCAR program.
• Walcamp Outdoor Ministries – $2,050 to build a 9-square structure (team building game).

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 members are responsible for reviewing grant applications and distributing more than $14,000 into the community. After recommendations are determined, YEP presents its grant decisions to the Community Foundation Board of Directors for final approval. This year’s YEP committee comprises 88 high school students from ten different schools in DeKalb County.

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.