Youth in Philanthropy Expands to Lexington

The Foundation for MetroWest’s Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program, which provides middle and high school students with educational and philanthropic opportunities, has announced the launch of a new program for 7th and 8th grade students in Lexington.

One of the largest youth philanthropy education programs in the country, YIP is a unique extracurricular program designed for students interested in learning more about nonprofit organizations and the needs that exist in their own community. YIP students research local organizations and award $10,000 in grants, with no fees or tuition to participate. Over the past two decades, YIP has educated more than 1,250 teens who have granted more than $1 million to youth-serving organizations in the MetroWest area.

“As an organization, we take great pride in educating the next generation of philanthropists,” said Judith G. Salerno, Executive Director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “By expanding the YIP program to Lexington, we hope to have a greater impact than ever before on the MetroWest community. Not only are the students giving back, but they’re learning about the nonprofit space, how philanthropy affects where they live, and how they can make an impact.”

The program will begin December 6, and will be held at the Lexington Community Center every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. until late March of next year. Applications will be accepted online until November 13. Current 7th and 8th grade students who live or learn in Lexington are eligible to apply. To learn more about how student groups involved in YIP programs across the region have made positive impacts on the MetroWest community, visit www.yipmetrowest.org.

About Youth in Philanthropy

Since 1997, the Foundation for MetroWest’s Youth in Philanthropy program has been inspiring youth to give back and to truly become invested in the MetroWest community. Key to the future success of our region, we are proud to offer one of the largest youth philanthropy education programs in the country that has educated more than 1,250 teens who have granted $1.1 M to over 140 youth development organizations in our backyard.

###