Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is excited to announce the distribution of $17,177 in youth impact grants. Thirteen community and nonprofit organizations received grants for various youth-serving projects and programs in DeKalb County.

“Our goal in YEP is to improve the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County, and I believe the grants we awarded this year do just that. These dollars support great causes in the short term and for the future,” said student member Riley Collins, YEP Grants Chair. “I can’t wait to see how this year’s awarded money will soon bring many smiles through the programs and projects they support.”

2024 YEP Grant Recipients:

• Barb Food Mart – $2,268 to purchase hygiene products, bags, and stickers for the Fresh Start Initiative at DeKalb High School.
• Children’s Community Theatre – $1,650 to provide an opportunity for youth to participate in a live theater Mary Poppins Jr. performance.
• DeKalb County Community Gardens – $300 to purchase art and building supplies to create a youth collaborative garden mural.
• DeKalb CUSD 428 – $1,858 to purchase supplies for a Brain Architecture Game to help school staff and educators better understand youth brain development.
• City of DeKalb Police Department – $1,250 to purchase art supplies, games, and other materials needed for the summer Fun Jam in the Park events.
• Flewellin Memorial Library – $1,650 to support a summer reading program, “Read Renew Repeat,” for youth in the community.
• Family Service Agency – $1,702 to provide program supplies, transportation, and materials for a youth summer camp.
• Genoa Township Park District – $800 Provides funding to purchase Nerf Battle supplies for community youth events.
• Genoa-Kingston School District – $774 to support media equipment purchases for G/K communication high school interns to use as they learn and grow in the field.
• Kishwaukee Family YMCA – $1,000 to purchase a Gaga ball pit and a large portable Bluetooth speaker for family events, roller skating, and other youth events. Grant excludes requested sand and balls.
• Neighbors’ House – $1,300 to support purchasing books, learning games, and other educational materials used in the After School Kids Club.
• Opportunity DeKalb – $1,000 to support a youth opportunity where they can develop entrepreneurial skills.
• RAMP – $1,625 to fund RAMP’s Fast Track and Project SEARCH program supplies and workbooks.

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 80 high school students from 10 different schools in DeKalb County.

For questions, please contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.