Philanthropy by youth for youth

YiP 101

The Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta’s Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) program is a leadership development initiative for local high school students. Each participating high school forms a student-led committee that oversees the allocation of $2500 in grants to local charitable organizations. The program was developed from the highly successful YiP program at the Winnipeg Foundation.

The school based model allows the program to reach youth from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Many schools run the program as an extra-curricular activity that is open to any student, regardless of academic achievement or participation in other school programs. The best part about the program is the schools decide how the program will run, how many members it will have and who will be involved.

History Notes

In 1998, the Community Foundation launched a Youth Committee to procure the grants from the “Youth Project” fund.  The committee was made up of youth from each of the Medicine Hat Senior High Schools and twice a year they would accept applications for the funds they had to distribute. The committee eventually took on the name “Philanthropic Actions for Youth” or the PAY Team. The team was a sub-committee within the Community Foundation. In 2009, the Community Foundation, change the process to one of student led committees within the High Schools. Currently the Fund is only capable of funding two highs schools out of the four school districts, however we have an anonymous donor who will match donations up to $50,000 eventually allowing each of the four school districts to distribute $2500 to a high school.

School Spirit

Through creative fundraisers schools YiP participants can leave a legacy in their schools and community. When each school joins the program, it establishes an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat & Southeastern Alberta. Additional fundraising projects also help to grow the endowments and increase the grant making capacity for future committees.

Mechanics

1.    In September, each participating high school forms a YiP committee that works with a teacher advisor/counsellor.

2.    Each committee is given a $100 administrative grant from the Foundation. The grant may be used to run the committee, providing transportation, office supplies and refreshments for meetings.

3.    In-school visits by the Community Impact Coordinator from the Foundation introduce new students and committees to the program.

4.    Each committee decides on its area of interest for the year. Committees may choose to focus on any charitable sectors they wish.

5.    Committees determine their grantmaking criteria and develop questions for site visits.

6.    Committees research local charitable organizations they think will meet their values and criteria.

7.    An interim report, listing all organizations that committees plan to visit, is submitted to the Foundation and reviewed.

8.    Students arrange site visits with organizations, where they tour facilities, gather information and interview staff or volunteers.

9.    Committees decide how to allocate grants, keeping in mind that grants must be made to registered charities that primarily benefit the citizens of Southeastern Alberta.

10.    Final grant recommendations are submitted to the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Medicine hat and Southeastern Alberta for approval.

11.    The YiP committee will be invited to the Founder’s Day Picnic where they will distribute their grant to the selected charity(ies).

Downloadable PDF click here

To get your group involved contact us today!

info@mhcf.ca or 403-527-9038

"To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large,

and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter." Aristotle