Youth in Philanthropy

The Youth in Philanthropy program provides high school students across the region an opportunity to learn about philanthropy and participate in the grantmaking process. Celebrating its 20th year, the program kicked-off in October with a record 15 school districts participating. Contributions from generous community members and Foundation funds allow each school to award up to $5,000 in grants to support area youth programs each spring. Learn more at csgiving.org/youth-in-philanthropy.

This year, the Foundation partnered with the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit to bring Rachel’s Challenge to Youth in Philanthropy. Rachel’s Challenge addresses the root causes of school violence, bullying, prejudice, and self-harm through student wellness programs that build connection, hope, and resilience.

Program Sponsors

  • • Anonymous (2)
    • Berwick Health and Wellness Fund
    • The Booth Family Fund
    • Central Columbia Educational Foundation, Inc.
    • The Cole Family Fund
    • Community Giving Foundation—in honor of John Kurelja
    • Danville Superintendent’s Educational Initiative Awards Fund
    • Phil DeRose
    • Ennis-Visneski Fund
    • Sarah Farbo
    • Beau Hoffman
    • John and Jaqueline Kurelja
    • Marr Consulting LLC
    • Nancy Mathna
    • Morgan Mattern
    • Robert McWilliams Jr.
    • Meck-Tech, Inc.
    • Millville Area School District
    • Millville Community Foundation Inc.
    • Holly and Gene Morrison—in honor of Heather, Donnie, and Cooper Rowe
    • M. Holly Morrison—in honor of Dr. Fred Miller
    • Katie Nealon
    • Jessica Newell
    • Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Fund
    • Julie Petrin
    • Charlene and Jeffrey Reigle
    • Robinson Donor Advised Fund
    • Seebold Family Fund
    • Amanda Schell
    • Zachariah Stotter
    • Leslie Temple—in honor of GSVCC Young Professionals
    • Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc.
    • Warrior Run Education Foundation Non-Endowed Defender Fund
    • Sabrina Watson
    • William Whipple
    • Janel Zeigler

Youth in Philanthropy Grants

  • • Benton Area School District—Family Stem Night ($500); Growing Greens in Life Skills Expansion ($400); PAWS ($400); School and Community Development ($1,500); SPARK Outreach ($200)
    • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Meals and Food for Kids Camp ($1,500)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—Summer Camp Initiatives: Resources for Benton Students ($500)

  • • Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts—Projection Room Equipment Upgrade ($500)
    • Beyond Violence Inc.—Youth Counseling Activities ($500)
    • Eos Therapeutic Riding Center—Scholarship for One Rider ($485)
    • For the Cause—Teen Tech ($2,515)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—Teen STEM Programming ($500)
    • The Exchange—Art Cart ($500)

  • • AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Daily Bread Program ($500)
    • Bloomsburg Area School District—Giving Back to Our Schools ($500)
    • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with Cancer ($500)
    • Saint Columba Church (Bloomsburg Food Cupboard)—Panther Packs ($3,000)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—Scholarship Programs ($500)

  • • AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—TOGO Food 4 Kidz & Women in Need ($1,000)
    • Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce—Students Coping 2 Thrive ($1,500)
    • Orangeville Public Library—Summer Reading Program 2023 ($500)
    • Saint Columba Church (Bloomsburg Food Cupboard)—More Spaghetti and Sauce for Food Cupboard Families ($750)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—All Abilities Nights at the Museum ($500)
    • The Exchange—Art Cart ($750)

  • • Beyond Violence Inc.—Youth Counseling Activities ($500)
    • Columbia Montour Area Vocational Technical School—Special education Department Flexible Seating ($3,000)
    • Eos Therapeutic Riding Center—Scholarship for One Rider ($485)
    • Single Mothers Individually Living Empowered, Inc.—High School Backpacks ($515)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—Maker Faire: Manufacturing Project ($500)

  • • Danville Child Development Center—Sensory Play for Social Emotional Health ($1,000)
    • Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce—Danville Ironkids Mental Health Initiative ($1,500)
    • Good Samaritan Mission—Many Hands Helping Others: Nutritional Support and Youth Bed Program ($1,500)
    • PA Swarm—2023 PA Swarm Youth Support ($500)
    • Transitional Housing and Care Center of Columbia and Montour County—Feel through Art ($500)

  • • Ronald McDonald House of Danville—Camp Dost, a Program of the Ronald McDonald House of Danville, Inc. ($1,000)
    • Transitions of PA—Big Life Journey ($4,000)

  • • Foundation for Free Enterprise Education—Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week 2023 and Speaker Series ($695)
    • Grace Covenant Community Church—Middleburg Cub Scout Park 3451 Summer Camp ($700); Middleburg Town Square Mural Project ($605)
    • Spring Township Ball Park—Beaver Springs Ball Park ($1,500)
    • Transitions of PA—Big Life Journey ($1,500)

  • • AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community—Food2Go4Kidz ($500)
    • Millville Area School District—Millville Area Senior High Student Council Student Activities ($1,000); Opportunities in Communities ($1,500)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—DIY Secret Santa Gifts ($1,000)
    • ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund—Helping Families Battle Pediatric Cancer ($1,000)

  • • Fairmount Twp Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Co.—Fairmount Twp Fire Hall Rest Room Renovation ($500)
    • Historical & Preservation Society of the Greater Shickshinny Area—Shickshinny FLT Children’s Library Reading Program ($1,000)
    • Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center—Gym/Weight Room Equipment Upgrades ($700)
    • Northwest Area School District—Junior/Senior Educational Field Trip ($1,000); Nurses Pantry ($300); Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports ($1,500)

  • • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with Cancer ($1,000)
    • Regional Engagement Center—C.A.R.E. at the REC ($2,500)
    • Summer SEALS Day Camp—Day Camp 2023 ($1,500)

  • • Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Inc.—Vision for Your Wellbeing ($500)
    • Girls on the Run Mid State PA—Sustaining Holistic Health Outcomes in Shikellamy Schools ($1,500)
    • Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc.—Climbing to Tranquility ($1,000)
    • Shikellamy School District—Shikellamy Middle School Comfort Closet ($2,000)

  • • Donald L. Heiter Community Center, Inc.—GTS Theatre Summer Camp 2023 ($500)
    • Father’s Hope—Hope for the Holidays ($400)
    • Kelsey’s Dream—Helping Children with Cancer ($500)
    • Kingdom Kidz Inc.—SafeKIDZ! ($1,100)
    • Nicholas Wolff Foundation, Inc.—Climbing to Tranquility ($500)
    • The Children’s Museum, Inc.—STEM Programs at Montgomery House Warrior Run Area Library ($500)