High School Juniors and Seniors Build Foundation for Lifelong Commitment to Community Giving
This week, 21 upperclassmen from 15 different Northwest Ohio schools granted $17,193 to 10 local youth-serving non-profit organizations.
Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence – or YIPEE, for short – is a program for high school juniors and seniors wanting to learn more about community needs and the elements of thoughtful giving. In partnership with Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the program’s goal is to establish a foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
Within this unique program, students identify key problems facing youth, solicit and review grant applications from local youth-serving organizations, and raise and allocate funds to deserving area non-profits to address those needs. The decisions regarding how funds will be raised and allocated are completely student-driven.
Sarah Faisal, YIPEE President and a senior at Notre Dame Academy says of her experience, “I have learned to lead with kindness and responsibility, and we are all a group of leaders that lead in our own special ways. I also learned that giving back to the community easier than it may appear. Often times, it seems like we cannot make a large impact. Through participating in YIPEE, I have learned that even a meaningful conversation is enough to make change.”
According to Leadership Toledo’s Executive Director, Anna Toney, “This program allows students to engage in important conversations around issues facing their generation and find a path to support those organizations that are working to be a part of the solution.”
Organizations receiving funding from YIPEE:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo
Compassion Health Toledo
Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center
Good Grief of Northwest Ohio
Mobile Meals of Toledo
RallyCap Sports
Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Ohio
Sunshine Foundation
University of Toledo Foundation/Reach Out and Read
Water for IshmaeL