Past Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grant Recipients
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, YEP has $10,000 available annually to fund programs that benefit youth. The YEP cohort works as a team to create the grant application, publicize the grants' availability, review the applications, and decide which proposals to fund and at what level of funding. The cohort gives priority to applications that are written by youth or have substantial input from youth.
6 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $9,243 were awarded in 2026
Back 2 School Alliance – $2,000
“Shoes for Big Kids” to buy new and used athletic shoes to stock a shoe bank for students from pre-K to high school in Unit 5 and District 87.
Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony – $2,000
“BNYS Composer Invitation and Youth Engagement at the Children Discovery Museum” to commission a youth symphony piece, which will premiere at a May 1 concert; students and community will have a Q&A session with composer at the Children’s Discovery Museum to more deeply bond with the music they perform and hear.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $2,000
“Powering Girls’ Potential – Direct Assistance for Local Girl Scouts” to provide positive adult mentors, a stable peer group and social-emotional resources for at-risk girls which supports their well-being and prevents adverse outcomes; grant will cover membership fees, uniform costs and camp fees.
Jump 4 Joy Squad – $500
“Jump 4 Joy Summer Camp” to host a free summer camp to bring the joy of exercising by jumping rope with as many young people as possible in the Bloomington-Normal community.
Threshold to Hope – $1,500
“SPARK (Spreading Peace and Acts of Random Kindness” to engage youth from pre-K to high school to serve their community while meeting their own need for belonging, self-esteem, compassion and positive identity; through kindness-based projects, students gain purpose, awareness and growth while addressing local challenges.
Vespasian Warner Public Library District – $1,243
“Bringing the Universe Home: Take-Home Science Kits Part 2” to expand the collection of take-home kits with more STEM kits and add language and feelings kits.
8 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $9,139 were awarded in 2025
Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony – $1,100
“Performance at Westminster Village” for performance of an outreach concert at the end of April before BNYS’s culminating spring performance that youth symphony members and seniors look forward to sharing together.
East Bay Camp (Illinois Great Rivers Conference) – $1,933
“Construction Exploration and Skills Development” for campers aged 5-13 to learn new skills and grow self-confidence while at this electronics-free day camp that focuses on learning about construction through a workshop setting and at a construction exploration station in the woods.
For the Children Bloomington-Normal Camp #362 – $750
“For the Children Camp #362” to help foster youth feel valued, supported and empowered to overcome past trauma through this week-long summer camp, providing a safe space to build self-esteem, develop positive relationships and experience healing.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $1,400
“Sisterhood – Girl Scouts Curriculum and Support for Big Brothers, Big Sisters” is a collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big and Little Sisters will have access to the Girl Scout Juliette curriculum giving Littles the chance to be Girl Scouts and Bigs a positive set of activities in which to engage with their Littles during their time together; to subsidize registration costs for McLean and DeWitt county participants.
Jump4Joy Squad – $500
“Leadership and Summer Jump Rope Camps” to build relationships with families and share the joy of exercising by jumping rope with as many young people as possible in Bloomington-Normal through a free four-week summer program; youth in 6th grade through high schools will learn leadership skills and youth entering 1st through 8th will learn followership.
Sonshine Daycare – $1,200
“Toddler Playground Equipment” to provide the tools needed for active play and creativity in growing children ages 1-4 at daycare facility; grant will provide outdoor play equipment that sparks imagination, encourages movement and provides endless hours of fun.
The Baby Fold – $1,100
“Healthy Start Program” to help first-time or young families identify strengths and needs, establish goals, and connect to resources so they can build safe homes free of abuse and neglect.
Vespasian Warner Public Library District – $1,156
“Bringing the Universe Home: Take-Home Science Kits” to provide youth with high-quality STEM kits that teach scientific concepts through hands-on activities; kits will be loaned and returned just like other library materials.
8 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $11,985 were awarded in 2024.
Bloomington Public Library – $1,987
“Author’s Visit with Children’s Author Natasha Tarpley” – To provide District 87’s Sheridan School students, their families and the Bloomington-Normal community a visit with children’s author Natasha Tarpley, including a Q&A session.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $1,250
“Girl Scout Outreach Program – DeWitt County” – To encourage well-being and bolster confidence, communication skills and peer collaboration for girls in DeWitt County; as girls continue to experience a mental health crisis, the program creates additional resources for those most at-risk.
Jump4Joy Squad – $987
“2024 Summer Camp” – To fund a free summer camp for youth interested in discovering the joy of exercising by jumping rope while building relationships with families.
Kingsley Junior High School Drama Club – $2,000
“KJHS Drama Club” – To provide students the opportunity to perform in or work behind the scenes of a spring show while learning preparedness, commitment and technical skills and establish positive relationships with like-minded peers; grant to purchase production equipment.
McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center – $1,800
“Child Safety Matters: A Day at the Zoo” – For a one-day event allowing local children to participate in learning activities and have fun at Miller Park Zoo, while local social service agencies spread child abuse awareness and promote prevention throughout the community.
Project Oz – $500
“Confidently Curly” – To teach girls of color to embrace and care for their natural hair; participants learn about their hair type, how to maintain/style it, and the history of Black hair, while also building self-confidence and positive connections.
Sonshine Daycare – $1,174
“Internet Installation, Service and Device” – To enable internet connection and service, plus purchase of an iPad device to use in 2- and 3-year-old classroom, thereby expanding learning experiences and opportunities.
Vespasian Warner Public Library – $2,287
“Kid Corner at Vespasian Warner Public Library” – To create a Kid Corner space for youth in grades 3-6 that is safe, welcoming and fun; grant to purchase new seating that can be used for reading, gaming and social time.
7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $8,015 were awarded in 2023
GFWC Lincoln Women's Club - $1,500 for "Water Safety" to train all lifeguards at the Lincoln Park District Aquatics Center in spring 2023 and provide economically disadvantaged children the chance to learn to swim by offering free paid-for group lessons for beginning swimmers.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,250 for "STEM Outreach Program - DeWitt County" to offer program focused on delivering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to 50 girls in DeWitt County while also strengthening the development of social and emotional learning competencies promoting resiliency among the youth served.
McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $1,300 for "Child Safety Matters - A Day at the Zoo" to offer one-day event allowing local children to participate in learning activities and have fun at Miller Park Zoo, while local social service agencies provide adult caretakers with education, information and tools on how to keep children safe.
Project Oz - $1,200 for "Youth Action Board," a youth-led peer-prevention and leadership program that brings together students from five Bloomington-Normal area high schools to develop and present substance use prevention activities and messages from a youth perspective to educate their peers and parents, while encouraging community involvement in prevention activities.
Sonshine Daycare - $1,065 for "Playground Equipment" to give children 5 and under more opportunities to exert their independence through the purchase and installation of new playground equipment; upgrade will not only benefit the children at Sonshine, but also visitors to the Mt Hope Funks Grove Park District.
Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $500 for "Rooted Summer Apprenticeship" to employ several teens aged 14-18 within a 2-mile radius of the garden in west Bloomington to help with the responsibilities of the garden; program also introduces teens to careers that would involve college or a direct path from high school to career.
Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,200 for "Literacy Through Play: A Destination for Families" to allow the library to enhance the children's space so that it is engaging and inviting for everyone; funding will purchase a modular seating set that can be used for family reading, gross motor play and more.
7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2022
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,500 for "GIRL Outreach Program - DeWitt County" to confront challenges posing an increased threat to girls in DeWitt County, while supporting their journey to achieve their dreams through activities designed to encourage well-being and bolster confidence, communication skills and peer collaboration.
Girls on the Run of Central Illinois - $2,000 for "Power Up with Girls on the Run" to integrate running to transform girls' lives by helping them increase their self-esteem and confidence, develop healthy relationships and feel good about themselves, inside and out.
Jump 4 Joy Squad - $900 for "Jump 4 Joy Squad Spring Classes" to teach the sport of jump roping to new youth (ages 4-14) in the Bloomington/Normal area; grant will purchase equipment including jump ropes and athletic floor tiling.
Ridgeview Elementary School - $1,605 for "Ridgview Elementary School Sensory Path" to provide emotion regulation support to students in need at school, especially those on the Autism Spectrum in need of sensory breaks; grant will purchase kit to create path.
Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $495 for "Sunnyside Apprenticeship Program" to provide local, low-income teens with job skills, community involvement, food to take home and a stipend in return for their commitment to work 100 hours in the garden over the summer.
Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,500 for "Access for All: Enhancing Inclusive Collection at the VWPL" to offer a youth collection that is both diverse and inclusive by purchasing books, movies and digital content that feature diverse authors, characters and settings.
Western Avenue Community Center - $2,000 for "Sisters by Chance" to allow 8th grade girls to concentrate on career exploration with the goal to empower youth to make sound choices and become who they want to be through knowledge, dedication, respect, hard work, citizenship and fun.
10 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $11.680 were awarded in 2021
Bloomington Junior High School - $2,750 "BJHS Student Services Health Clinic" will provide access to the required vaccines and physical exams for disadvantaged students transitioning from virtual learning to face-to-face education.
Fostering Dignity - $246.31"Backpacks for Youth" provides backpacks for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigators to give children being removed from their homes so they can carry their belongings, eliminating the use of a garbage bag.
Friends of Constitution Trail - $1,500 "McBloNo Kids Bike" to purchase bicycle helmets to support Safe Routes to School bicycle education program for elementary and middle school students in McLean County.
Illinois Art Station - $1,200 "smARTS Lab" is a STEAM-based program for youth ages 11-14 that provides youth an opportunity to explore a variety of art-making techniques and mediums. IAS art educators will design and facilitate the experiences and learning, but the art projects, materials and specific themes will be determined by the youth participants themselves.
Jump 4 Joy Squad - $346.69 "Flooring for Jump 4 Joy Squad Team and Community Classes" to purchase removable flooring, allowing the squad to use any location with the best results for jump rope. as well as providing for the physical health and safety of participants.
McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $450 "Telehealth Therapy Boxes" will be utilized when children and adolescents are participating in virtual therapy sessions. Clients will receive a box of age-appropriate supplies specifically to be used during therapy, which could include a journal, writing and coloring supplies, positive affirmation cards, meditation exercise cards, stress balls, Play-Doh and bubbles to practice deep breathing.
Normal West Promise Council - $1,000 "Promise Council Needs Room" is a safe space at Normal West Community High School where any of student can go to obtain food and supplies to meet physical needs that would otherwise go unmet. Grant would provide money to restock room.
Regional Alternative School - $2,000 "RAS Trade Skills Integration" will provide students with a Trade Skills introduction program in which students will expand their vocational knowledge in basic construction and woodworking skills. Students will learn through hands-on experience using tools and techniques used in a professional trade setting.
Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,012 "Kindles for Kids" will purchase 4 Kindle devices for youth programs to bridge the local digital divide and allow all youth to experience the excitement of reading on a digital platform.
West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $1,175 "Seeds for Change" enlists the help of community youth to start seeds for the Westside Bloomington Community Garden. This program will teach youth about food insecurity, starting plants from seed and caring for others.
5 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $8,320 were awarded in 2020
Bloomington High School Promise Council - $2,000 "Lights On at BHS" will provide a year-round safe, inclusive environment for events and activities that will engage students, educate them on the opportunities in the community, and empower them to make changes in their lives and the world around them.
Fostering Dignity - $600 "Backpacks for Youth" provides backpacks to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigators to give children being removed from their homes so that they can carry their belongings, eliminating the use of a garbage bag.
Muscular Dystrophy Association - $1,195 "MDA Summer Camp" is a week-long summer camp where children aged 6-17 living with muscle diseases can enjoy a safe outdoor experience with a variety of adaptive activities, allowing them to stretch their comfort zones and become more independent.
Sunnyside Community Garden & Food Forest - $2,880 "Growing Up!" will provide teens and pre-teens the opportunity to focus on leadership skills while enhancing their gardening skills; in turn, they will pass on their knowledge of gardening to youth (K-5) from the Boys & Girls Club in the Grow Your Garden program throughout the spring and summer.
The Forgotten Initiative - $1,200 "The Joy of Dreaming" will fulfill the wishes of local youth in the foster care system, allowing them to focus on experiences that help them feel normal in an abnormal situation.
YWCA of McLean County - $1,645 "Anti-Bias Education" educates local school children about racism, sexism, ableism and more with the goal of eliminating bullying and creating a more inclusive environment that understands and celebrates diversity not only at school, but in the community at large.
7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2019
Child Protection Network - $1,000
"McLean County Children's Advocacy Center" to fund trauma-based therapy supplies such as games, books and coping skills boxes for children who are interviewed at the center after an allegation that the child may have been abused.
Fostering Dignity - $1,000
"Backpacks for Youth" - A program that provides backpacks for Department of Children and Family Services investigators to use when removing children from their homes.
Jump 4 Joy Squad - $960
"Joy Jumper (Jump Rope Team)" to fund uniforms and equipment for jump rope team and assist in travel to competitions.
Muscular Dystrophy Association - $2,000
"Summer Camp" to fund scholarship for one child with neuromuscular disease from McLean, DeWitt, Logan or Livingston counties to attend week-long camp.
Royal Family Kids Camp - $1,950
"Kids Camp" to allow 15 children in the foster system to attend week-long camp with a camper/counselor ratio of 2:1.
Treynor State Bank Community Foundation - $1,540
"Entrepreneur Camp" to purchase iPads for junior high school students in DeWitt County to film and edit their commercials during week-long summer camp.
Vespasian Warner Public Library District - $1,550
"Young Adult Lounge" to create a lounge for high school age library visitors, encouraging them to spend more time at the library and create lifelong learners by offering providing suggestions, special events and other educational initiatives.
7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2018
100 Black Men of Central Illinois - $500
"Summer School to Fill the Education Achievement Gap" - To fund elementary scholarships for District 87 students who have a financial and academic need to attend summer school.
Child Protection Network - $1,000
"Permanency Bags for Kids" - A program in collaboration with CASA that provides permanency bags for children as they exit the foster care system.
Fostering Dignity - $1,000
"Backpacks for Youth" - A program that provides backpacks for Department of Children and Family Services investigators when removing children from their homes.
Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation - $500
"Attack Asthma Camp" - To purchase refurbished iPads to educate and entertain youth with severe asthma.
Max's Miles Foundation - $1,000
"The Harmony Park Project" - To fund Spinning Sensory Wave Seat at inclusive park that is safe and accessible for children of all abilities.
Muscular Dystrophy Association - $2,000
"Summer Camp" - To fund scholarships for children with neuromuscular diseases from McLean, DeWitt, Logan and Livingston counties to attend camp.
Regional Alternative School - $4,000
"Automated External Defibrillator & Hygiene Kits" - To fund purchase of AED machine for use within school and supply hygiene kits to students.
7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2017
100 Black Men of Central Illinois - $950
"Summer School Scholarships" - To provide elementary and secondary summer school scholarships for students who have an academic need but cannot afford tuition.
Child Protection Network - $1,850
"Gas Cards" - To purchase gas cards for volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to defray their costs in providing advocacy for children in foster care who are located more than 25 miles away.
Clinton Elementary School - $1,000
"Read Across Clinton" - To provide a variety of high-interest, low-cost books for students in 2nd through 5th grades to take home on the last day of school.
Easter Seals of Central Illinois - $1,000
"Timber Pointe Scholarships" - To fund scholarships for disabled children to attend summer camp at the Timber Pointe Outdoor Center.
Fostering Dignity - $1,000
"Backpacks" - To provide 200 backpacks to hold the personal belongings of children and youth removed from their homes by DCFS.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Bloomington-Normal Chapter - $200
"Speaking Up for Success" - To support a program for students in K through 12th grade designed to increase leadership skills by enhancing confidence in public speaking.
West Bloomington Active Garden - $4,000
"Collaboration with Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal" - To purchase supplies for the garden to help it meet its full potential, increasing production of organic produce to low-income families in West Bloomington while facilitating learning opportunities for the youth of Boys & Girls Club.
8 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,330 were awarded in 2016
100 Black Men of Central Illinois - $1,100
"Summer School Scholarships" - To provide for elementary and secondary summer school scholarships for students who have an academic need but cannot afford tuition.
Big Brothers Big Sisters - $925
"Mentoring Program"- To support matches between adult mentors (Bigs) and at-risk children (Littles) in McLean, DeWitt and Livingston counties.
Bloomington High School Junior Varsity Basketball Team - $2,500
"Health Snacks for Slam Dunks"- To ensure that players eat healthy snacks for away games.
Child Protection Network - $1,000
"Court Appointed Special Advocate Program" - To purchase gas cards for volunteer CASAs to defray their costs in providing advocacy for children in foster care who are located more than 25 miles away.
Miller Park Zoo - $1,000
"A Zoo Education Experience"- To purchase backpacks and materials to loan to children when visiting Miller Park Zoo. Each loaner backpack will feature items which will enhance their visit.
NAMI - $1,558.50
"End the Silence"- To train young adults to speak to youth about mental health during 50-minute in-school presentations.
Regional Alternative School - $1,546.50
"Community Resource Room" - To purchase supplies, including hygiene items, for the RAS Community Resource Room which supplies students, their families and others in the community in need with basic necessities.
Western Avenue Community Center - $700
"New Technology for Tutoring Program" - To purchase Kindle Fires, eBooks and educational apps to be used by the children in the WACC after-school program, helping introduce them to technology which may note be accessible in their homes.
11 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2015
Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal - $1,495
To support an educational outing to Chicago for 15 Boys and Girls Club youth as part of the Money Matters program. Youth attending the trip will visit the Federal Reserve Bank and Willis Towers as a unique opportunity to contribute to the knowledge they have gained about personal finances.
Children's Discovery Museum - $1,000
To provide building supplies for youth to learn innovation, building and design skills, then create bike racks from scratch that will be placed in Uptown Normal.
Easter Seals Central Illinois - $1,125
To provide counseling services for children from families of limited means.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes - $250
To provide scholarships to student athletes attending summer camp in Bloomington-Normal.
Fostering Dignity-- $500
To provide a backpack for 100 youth who have been removed from abusive or neglectful homes. These backpacks serve to replace the plastic garbage bags that would otherwise be used to hold and transport their belongings.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,125
To provide a year-long membership fee for 75 low-income girls to participate in Girl Scouts.
Heartland Community College - $990
To provide scholarships for six low-income children to participate in a Youth Enrichment Program course through HCC. These courses enhance learning and creativity through innovative computer/technology focused curricula that are not provided in traditional schooling.
Illinois Wesleyan University Peace Garden - $965
To support program designed to teach youth about how and why to grow food locally or at home and how this produce can be used in a healthy way.
Project Hope at NCHS - $675
To provide funding for direct requests for students in need at Normal Community High School. Some examples of what may be funded include uniforms for part-time jobs, shoes for PE class and school lunches.
Regional Alternative School - $900
To support a summer poetry class for students who attend the school. This class intends to allow youth access to the arts which might otherwise be prevented by socioeconomic circumstances.
11 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $10,000 were awarded in 2015
Child Protection Network - $1,000
"Child Appointed Special Advocate Program" - To purchase gas cards to assist local CASA volunteers who travel 30+ miles when providing legal, medical, personal, and educational advocacy for children residing in foster care.
Easter Seals - $1,134
"iCan Bike" - To provide scholarships for a program that teaches children with special needs and disabilities, ages 8 and up, to achieve the life milestone of riding a two-wheel bicycle without assistance.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,000
"STEM - It's a Girl's World" - Program provides progressive STEM curricula to girls ages 5-17 that are correlated with State of Illinois learning standards. Grant will provide scholarships and supplies.
Mid Central Community Action - $300
"Career Club" - Weekly program that educates youth from low-income families in basic job skills and financial literacy. The goal is to help break the cycle of poverty by equipping participants with life skills they might not gain at home or in school.
Milestones Early Learning Center - $968
"Outdoor Classroom" - To help fund an outdoor classroom at the new Milestones campus that will provide a setting which encourages contact with nature and healthy development of students.
Project HOPE - $1,840
"NCHS Project Hope" - Funds will be used for unmet needs of Normal Community High School students identified through a referral process by concerned councilors, faculty and staff.
Special Olympics Illinois - $500
"Young Athletes Program" - To provide transportation so that children with intellectual disabilities, ages 2-7, and their non-disabled peers have the opportunity to participate in structured physical activity for 8-16 weeks followed by a culminating event.
Stylistics 4-H Club - $1,000
"Sewing Project" - To purchase two used sewing machines and materials to make cloth bags which will be donated to children staying at Home Sweet Home Mission. Many of these children have been through upheaval which did not allow for proper packing or storage of their possessions.
West Bloomington Revitalization Project - $600
"Cyber Space" - To support installation of a small computer lab at WBRP to provide access to students and families without internet in the home.
Western Avenue Community Center - $658
"LINC Program Basketball Team" - To provide jerseys for the girls' basketball team to enhance team cohesion.
Woven Together - $1,000
To provide funding for Journey Bags, Lifebooks, Welcome Home Baskets, for children in foster care in Logan County.