
Welcome to Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP)
In the fall of 2022, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) begins its 14th year as a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The mission of YEP is to improve the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County.
THANK YOU to the many donors who continue to provide support and direction for this very important youth initiative. And thank you to all our members, alumni, advisors, and community partners. Together, we are making a positive impact and improving the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County.
YEP is youth-led, free, and open to all high school students in DeKalb County, IL. Through monthly meetings and volunteer outreach events, YEP builds leadership, communication, social, and analytical skills. Members learn about nonprofits, philanthropy, and grantmaking. The grantmaking portion includes analyzing grant applications, conducting site visits, and identifying the potential impact on youth in DeKalb County. In May each year, the YEP committee grants over $13,000 to nonprofit and community organizations for various youth-serving programs and projects.
For returning members, YEP offers additional leadership and learning through two subcommittees. The YEP 2.Pro Committee and Fundraising Committee are for juniors and seniors with 1+ years of experience as a member. YEP 2.Pro is a proactive grantmaking committee that works to explore youth issues in DeKalb County and proactively addresses them. The Fundraising Committee works to raise support for YEP through donor asks, written grant requests, and by participating in events such as Give DeKalb County.
YEP membership applications become available in July/August each year with an early-September deadline.
"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."
2021-2022
Year in Review
What is YEP and What
do Members do?
FAQs
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 recommending and distributing $12,000+ in grants to nonprofits and community organizations in DeKalb County. During monthly meetings, members learn the roles of community foundations and nonprofits. Members learn how to distribute 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 is reserved for YEP members who are high school juniors/seniors and have 1+ years of YEP experience. Members are responsible for identifying youth needs in the community and exploring ways to address them. Time is set aside during most regular YEP meetings for the YEP 2.PRO Committee to meet.
For questions or additional information, please contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.