32 high school upperclassmen raise and allocate $21,020 to 10 local youth-serving 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. These young philanthropists spend their time making site visits, learning the tenets of fundraising and giving back, and learning about the missions of the organizations who apply for funds. The decisions regarding how funds will be raised and allocated are completely student-driven.
Organizations receiving funding from YIPEE:
• Adopt America Network
• Advocating Opportunity
• Children’s Theater Workshop
• Good Grief of Northwest Ohio
• Genacross Lutheran Services
• Justice for Sierah
• RallyCap Sports
• Reach Out and Read of Northwest Ohio
• Sunshine Communities
• Water for Ishmael
Katie Freytag, a senior from Anthony Wayne High School and member of YIPEE, says, “Leadership Toledo has made me more confident, a better advocate, and a stronger leader in my community. Participating in this program has given me the opportunity to learn from and work with incredible community leaders and inspiring students, all while making a meaningful difference in the areas I value most.”
According to Nicole Susdorf, Program Director at Leadership Toledo, “This unique program allows students to identify their group values and what issues they would like to address in the community. Their thoughtful conversations and meaningful interactions with local youth-serving nonprofits allows participants to not only become better connected to their community but also become catalysts for change.”
Leadership Toledo exists to cultivate a community of leaders dedicated to serving with authenticity and purpose. Through a broad spectrum of programming for adults and high school students, Leadership Toledo offers individuals the opportunity to become more confident leaders, connect with the community on a deeper level, to grow stronger in self-awareness, and to serve in ways that are meaningful to the participant and their community.