YEP members pose for a group photo during the September 2025 meeting.

Welcome to Youth Engaged in Philanthropy

Entering its 18th year in fall 2026, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth across DeKalb County. Through grantmaking, volunteerism, and leadership opportunities, YEP empowers the next generation of local changemakers.

Thank you to the many donors, members, alumni, advisors, and community partners who make this initiative possible. Together, we’re creating lasting, positive impact for youth throughout DeKalb County.

About YEP

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) logo

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) is a free youth-led program open to all high school students in DeKalb County, IL. Through monthly meetings and volunteer events, YEP helps students build valuable skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Members learn about local nonprofits and philanthropy while actively participating in the grantmaking process from reviewing applications and conducting site visits to discussing community needs and evaluating impact. Each May, YEP awards more than $15,000 in grants to support youth-serving programs and initiatives across DeKalb County.

Returning members can expand their leadership experience through two subcommittees:

  • YEP 2.Pro Committee – A proactive grantmaking team for juniors and seniors with at least one year of YEP experience. Members explore youth issues in DeKalb County and identify ways to address them through strategic grantmaking.

  • Fundraising Committee – This committee supports the sustainability of YEP through donor outreach, grant writing, and participation in events such as Give DeKalb County.

How to Become a Member

Interested in joining YEP? Membership applications open each year on July 1 and are due by September 1.

Learn more about YEP membership >

"Not only did my leadership skills improve, but I became more social. I love YEP and I’m so happy that I got to meet so many people. I also learned so much about my community."

YEP Member

A Typical Year in YEP

What is YEP and What
do Members do?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP)?
All high school youth interested in joining YEP must complete an annual membership application. Membership applications become available July 1 with September 1 deadline. All applicants receive notification of membership status after the September deadline. Please note: Membership is capped per high school to reflect our desire to be a DeKalb County youth committee.

What is a typical YEP meeting like and where are they held?
YEP meetings occur at the DeKalb County Community Foundation (475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore). Meetings are monthly, led by the youth Executive Committee, and feature a theme or guest speaker to help members better understand philanthropy and grantmaking. September-March and May meetings occur on the 2nd Monday of the month from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Due to the length of grant discussions, the April (grant recommendations) meeting occurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month in the afternoon/evening. The member meeting calendar lists monthly topics, meeting dates, and times.

What does YEP do?

YEP is a committee of high school students that learn about volunteerism, philanthropy, leadership, and grantmaking through monthly meetings, volunteer events, and special youth-led grant programs (responsive and proactive). 

The responsive grant program is for ALL members. Members are responsible for distributing $15,000+ in grants to nonprofits and community organizations in DeKalb County. During monthly meetings, members learn how to review grant applications and recommend grant dollars to address youth-focused needs in our communities. Support for this grant program is possible through the DeKalb County Youth Grant Makers Fund at DeKalb County Community Foundation and ongoing donor generosity to YEP during the Give DeKalb County event. 

The proactive grant program (YEP 2.Pro) is for members who are high school juniors/seniors and have 1+ years of YEP experience. These members identify youth needs in the community and explore ways to address them. The YEP 2.Pro Committee meets during the regularly scheduled YEP member meeting times. 

What is a YEP volunteer event and why should members attend one?
Volunteer events are opportunities for YEP members to participate in community service as a group. Volunteer events may change from year to year. Past events include: Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack Day, Mobile Food Pantries, YSB Royal Children's Ball, and more. We request all members to participate in at least one volunteer event with YEP.

I live outside of DeKalb County, but attend a high school in DeKalb County. Can I join YEP?
Yes! YEP is open to ALL high school students in DeKalb County. You are eligible if you live in DeKalb County OR attend a high school in DeKalb County.

I live in DeKalb County, but attend a high school outside of DeKalb County. Can I join YEP?
Yes! YEP is open to ALL high school students in DeKalb County. You are eligible if you live in DeKalb County OR attend a high school in DeKalb County.

I am homeschooled. Can I join YEP?
Yes! YEP is open to ALL high school students in DeKalb County. Homeschool students who have participated in YEP love it because of the many opportunities it offers for meeting other students with similar interests from all over DeKalb County.

How do I join the YEP 2.Pro Committee or Fundraising Committee?
The YEP 2.Pro Committee and Fundraising Committee are for juniors/seniors with 1+ years of experience as a YEP member. These subcommittees are additional leadership opportunities for members. Returning members can apply to join one of these subcommittees when they re-apply for YEP each year.

For questions or additional information, please contact YEP Manager Kyle White at 815-748-5383 or k.white@dekalbccf.org.

YEP Changemakers Scholarship

Board Advisor Brenda Jergens presents the 2026 YEP Changemakers Scholarship to Rayna White of Sycamore High School during the May Youth Engaged in Philanthropy meeting.

Brenda Jergens presents the 2026 YEP Changemakers Scholarship to Rayna White of Sycamore High School.

The YEP Changemakers Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior member of Youth Engaged in Philanthropy who exemplifies the values and spirit of youth philanthropy in the community. This is a one-time $1,000 scholarship supports tuition or other educational expenses. 

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a current YEP member

  • Have 2 or more years of YEP experience

Applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee comprised of Foundation Board members, volunteers, and YEP Alum.

Created in 2022 by YEP member Oliver Keicher, the scholarship was designed to recognize and reward students who embrace youth philanthropy. Oliver fundraised for YEP during the 2022 Give DeKalb County event, raising one thousand dollars to support the inaugural scholarship. Annual support is generously provided by the family of Kurt D. Hudson in his memory through the YEP Changemakers Scholarship Fund. YEP is deeply grateful for this generosity that honors Kurt’s life.

How to Apply:

Applications are open February 1 – April 1 each year. Eligible members can apply through the Foundation’s Universal Application.

Past Recipients:

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