Youth in Philanthropy Students Grant $106,500 to Local Nonprofits During 2016-2017 School Year

Middle and high school students involved with Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) and the Summer Institute for Youth Leadership (SIYL), two programs offered by the Foundation for MetroWest which provide students with philanthropic opportunities, granted a total of $106,500 to 26 local organizations during the 2016-2017 school year. This year’s grant total represents a 22% jump in giving from the $87,000 granted last year, and exemplifies the Foundation’s expanded community presence. These programs would not be possible without the support of the following community funding partners: The Fund for Wellesley, Hopkinton CC Charitable Foundation, and The Sudbury Foundation.

YIP is a unique extracurricular educational program designed for middle and high school students who are interested in learning about philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Students learn about nonprofit management, review grant applications, conduct site visits, and eventually designate grant funding to organizations of their choosing . SIYL is a similar four-day summer program that shares YIP’s mission. Twelve different YIP programs ran throughout the academic year, followed by one SIYL program. Over 200 students participated in YIP and SIYL, and granted amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

“We are so proud of our YIP students. Every year they continually impress us with their dedication and thoughtfulness to the needs in MetroWest,” said Judith G. Salerno, Executive Director of the Foundation for MetroWest. “This year, we were able to increase our giving substantially to youth-serving organizations in MetroWest, while teaching our students the power of philanthropic literacy and the importance of giving back.”

We are currently accepting applications for our fall Youth in Philanthropy programs. For more information, please visit yipmetrowest.org.

Fall 2016 – Spring 2017 Youth in Philanthropy Grantees:

AccesSports America, Lexington - $1,000

Camp Starfish, Stow - $4,500

Community Harvest Project, Harvard - $5,000

Doc Wayne Youth Services, Framingham - $4,500

Friends of the Waltham Family School, Waltham - $4,000

Greater Waltham ARC, Waltham - $5,000

Hoops & Homework, Framingham - $4,500

Hope & Comfort, Newton - $5,000

Jeff’s Place Bereavement Center, Framingham - $4,500

John Andrew Mazie Memorial Foundation, Framingham - $5,000

Key Program, Children’s Charter, Waltham - $5,000

Lucy’s Love Bus, Lincoln - $5,000

Medfield Animal Shelter, Medfield - $2,500

More Than Words, Waltham - $5,000

Mystic Valley Elder Services, Waltham - $2,500

Natick Service Council, Natick - $5,000

Plugged In Teen Band Program, Needham - $5,000

Rise Above Foundation, Hopkinton - $5,000

Salvation Army – Waltham Corps, Waltham - $5,000

Samaritans, Inc., Boston - $5,000

Save a Dog, Sudbury - $5,000

The Food Project, Lincoln - $2,500

The Price Center, Newton - $5,000

Waltham Boys and Girls Club , Waltham - $2,500

Wayside Youth & Family: Tempo Young Adult Resource Center, Framingham - $5,000

YMCA of Greater Boston – Waltham Branch, Waltham - $2,500

About Youth in Philanthropy and the Summer Institute for Youth Leadership

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, which is a key to the future success of our region. We are proud to offer one of the largest youth philanthropy education programs in the country which has educated more than 1,250 teens who have granted $1.1 M to more than 140 youth development organizations in our backyard.

The Summer Institute for Youth Leadership is designed for teenagers who are looking to make an impact in their community. This fun, four-day summer program introduces students to the importance of active community involvement. Along the way, participants discover a keen awareness of their own potential and develop the skills necessary to become successful leaders. Similar to our Youth in Philanthropy program, participants work as a team to award a grant to the nonprofit of their choice.

About Foundation for MetroWest

Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the 33 cities and towns in the region. We promote philanthropy in the region, help donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serve as a resource for local nonprofits and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $14 million to charitable organizations and currently stewards more than $18 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please visit foundationformetrowest.org or call 508-647-2260.