Youth In Philanthropy Grant Program

The Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) Grant is an initiative of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF), designed to introduce high school and undergraduate students to the principles and practices of philanthropy through direct, hands-on engagement. NPCF, located in Warrenton, Virginia, supports a wide range of charitable activities throughout the Northern Piedmont region. The YIP program specifically targets youth leadership development by empowering students to assess local nonprofit proposals and make funding decisions themselves. YIP challenges participating youth to exercise leadership skills, assess community needs, evaluate nonprofit proposals, and present funding decisions before peers and adult stakeholders. The program culminates in the selection of one nonprofit organization to receive a $10,000 grant, chosen by the youth participants after a rigorous review process. This opportunity not only strengthens community ties but also ensures youth are actively involved in shaping services that affect their demographic. To be eligible for YIP funding, applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations that serve or are located within one of four counties in the NPCF’s service area. Additionally, programs must either involve youth in the program’s development, involve youth in its execution, or provide services directly to youth. Youth is defined broadly to include school-aged children through undergraduate students. The 2025 application cycle opens on June 2, 2025, and the deadline for submission is July 24, 2025. Applications must be completed online and include all required documentation. After the initial review, two finalists will be selected by August 30, 2025. Site visits will occur during September and October, during which YIP student members will assess the programs firsthand. Final deliberations and decisions will be made in October, and the chosen grantee will be presented to NPCF’s Board of Directors for approval on October 14, 2025. The grant amount is a fixed $10,000 award, and only one organization will receive funding each cycle. There is no indication of a matching requirement. The YIP initiative is not a rolling grant and operates on a recurring annual basis. Therefore, organizations that are not selected in the current cycle may reapply in subsequent years. For inquiries or application assistance, contact Liz Rose or Renard Carlos at (540) 349-0631. They can also be reached via email at lrose@npcf.org and rcarlos@npcf.org respectively. The program is administered through the NPCF’s headquarters at 321 Walker Drive, Suite 303, PO Box 182, Warrenton, VA 20188. The program’s transparent structure and youth-centered decision-making process make it a unique opportunity for nonprofits seeking to serve, involve, or empower youth in the Northern Piedmont region.