Watershed Planning – Land Use – 2022 Annual Report
August 3, 2023
Registration Open for DCNP Nonprofit Day
August 4, 2023
Representatives of the YEP Changemakers Scholarship committee are thrilled to announce the 2023 scholarship recipients. Congratulations to graduating Sycamore High School seniors Elizabeth Kleckner and Sofi Briscoe.
“The past four years in YEP gave me the background of three pillars of being a philanthropist: giving of your time, talent, and treasure. I really enjoy giving my time volunteering in the community with YEP and other clubs. Perhaps the most unique takeaway from YEP is that despite living in different towns with different upbringings, people can have the same goal of bettering their communities. When I first started YEP, I could not tell you where Indian Creek or Hiawatha High School was. But now, I have volunteered in many of these communities with these members and have even formed good friendships. As I continue to college and beyond, I hope to find people (like those I have met in YEP) that have the same passion for improving the lives of youth in their communities.” ~ Elizabeth Kleckner (4-year YEP member)
The YEP Changemakers Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior member of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) who exemplifies the values and ideas of youth philanthropy in the community. This is a one-time $1,000 award for tuition or educational expenses. Being the first year awarding the scholarship and having generous donors step forward to contribute above and beyond, YEP awarded two $1,000 scholarships this year! Thank the many Give DeKalb County donors, the Michael and Lana Haines Family Fund, and Tom & Brenda Jergens.
Applicants must be a YEP member with 2 or more years of experience. Applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee consisting of the Community Foundation Board, volunteers, and YEP alum.
“For years, I’ve wanted to go on a humanitarian trip, specifically with the International Language Program. YEP inspired me to dream about this program and actually do it. But one big thing YEP has taught me is that it doesn’t have to have a huge impact. Traveling worldwide is amazing, but I can still serve my community in small ways. I can bake someone cookies, visit a friend when they’re sick, donate money to an organization I support, or even smile at someone having a bad day. Any way that I give of my time, talent, or treasure will help make a difference in this world.” ~ Sofi Briscoe (2-year YEP member)
The YEP Changemakers Scholarship was created in 2022 by member Oliver Keicher. The intention was to recognize and reward members who embrace and value youth philanthropy in the community. Oliver fundraised for YEP in the 2022 Give DeKalb County event to raise $1,000 in donations to cover the inaugural scholarship. Support for future years is made possible through the family of Kurt D. Hudson in his memory. We are extremely grateful for this generous support to honor the life and memories of Kurt Hudson!
As a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (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. The 2022-23 year YEP committee comprised of 88 high school students from ten different schools in DeKalb County.
