
Welcome to Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP)
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) began its 15th year as a youth-led committee of the DeKalb County Community Foundation in the fall of 2023. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County.
THANK YOU to the many donors supporting this important youth initiative. And thank you to all our members, alums, advisors, and community partners. Together, we are positively impacting and improving the quality of life for youth in DeKalb County.
About YEP
YEP is youth-led, free, and open to all DeKalb County, IL, high school students. 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.
"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."
2022-2023
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 distributing $14,000+ 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.
For questions or additional information, please contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.
YEP Changemakers Scholarship
The YEP Changemakers Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior Youth Engaged in Philanthropy member who exemplifies youth philanthropy's values and ideas in the community. This is a one-time $1,000 award for tuition or educational expenses.
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.
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!
How to Apply: Applications run from February 1 - April 1. Eligible members can apply for the scholarship through the Community Foundation's Universal Application.