Nonprofit grant applications due Jan. 3 to youth philanthropy board

Delaware nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants from the Delaware Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Boards.

The Sussex County Youth Philanthropy Board will support nonprofits that focus on supporting vulnerable communities with student success before, during and/or after school, and workforce development and/or food insecurity. Preference will be given to organizations that support immigrant/minority families with students in elementary and secondary school. To be eligible, the program for which funding is requested must directly benefit residents of Sussex County that fall within the specified focus area.

Grant requests are currently being accepted and must be submitted online at delcf.org/grants by 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 3. Applicants will be notified during spring 2022.

The foundation sponsors the youth philanthropy boards to encourage younger generations to become more involved in philanthropy. Each county’s board, composed of high school students from public, private and parochial schools, is allotted a pool of money to give as charitable grants. The students learn about philanthropy and effective grant-making, study youth issues in their neighborhoods and schools, solicit grant proposals and award grants to those they determine to be most deserving.

Retired Delaware educator Phyllis Wynn established the Youth Philanthropy Fund in 1999 because she wanted to encourage youth to become involved in philanthropic ventures. Students who serve on the boards are nominated by their principal or guidance counselor.

“The Youth Philanthropy Board program gives students a unique opportunity to be a part of their community and experience the impact they are able to make in people’s lives,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, DCF president and CEO. “These are the future leaders of Delaware, and it’s important that they are given a space to learn and exercise philanthropy.”