Welcome to Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP)
In the fall of 2020, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) begins its 12th 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 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 are familiarized with nonprofits, build an understanding of philanthropy, and are introduced to grantmaking. A large portion of the year is spent on grantmaking, YEP Grants, where members learn to analyze grant applications, conduct site visits, and identify the potential impact on other youth in DeKalb County. In May of each year, the YEP committee grants approximately $12,500 to nonprofit and community organizations for a variety of youth serving programs and projects. The 2020-2021 membership application deadline is Friday, September 4, 2020.
For returning members, YEP offers additional leadership and learning through two sub-committees. The YEP 2.Pro Committee and Fundraising Committee are for juniors and seniors with one or more years of experience as a YEP member. YEP 2.Pro is a proactive grantmaking committee that works to explore youth issues in DeKalb County and proactively address 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.
PLEASE NOTE: As we enter the 2020-2021 year of YEP, we face a challenge with COVID-19. We desire to provide a safe and high quality opportunity for local high school students to be a part of. The health and safety of our members is the highest priority. YEP will look and feel a little different this year. As of August 2020, we will proceed following the guidelines and format in our 2020-2021 Return to YEP Plan.
FAQs
YEP is a committee of high school students that learn about volunteerism, philanthropy, leadership, and grantmaking through monthly meetings, outreach events, and special youth-led grant programs (responsive and proactive).
The responsive grant program is for all members. Members are responsible for allocating more than $12,000 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. Funding for this grant program is possible through the DeKalb County Youth Grant Makers Fund at DeKalb County Community Foundation.
The proactive grant program is reserved for YEP members who are juniors/seniors and have 1 or more 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. Donor asks are the main source of funding for this grant program.
For questions or additional information, please contact YEP Staff Advisor Noah Nordbrock at 815-748-5383 or noah@dekalbccf.org.
“Each year, YEP empowers high school students to think creatively, to analyze grant proposals, and to allocate thousands of grant dollars. YEP is truly a life changing experience.” - Danniela Estrada - Sandwich High School (Class of 2018)
