Young Philanthropists

Who are Young Philanthropists?

Each year we convene students at area high schools and chat with them about nonprofits and philanthropy.  In the spring, the students select the nonprofits they want to hear from and we schedule those nonprofits to make presentations.  In April, we give each YP team $5,000 to grant out for the causes they care about, and we all learn at the same special event in May who the YPs have chosen!

2024 Young Philanthropist Awards

Coal City High School

  • $1,700 to the Coal City Backpack Program to provide weekend food for students within the Coal City School District
  • $1,300 for Children’s Advocacy Center to continue providing a safe space in Grundy County for children and youth who have experienced abuse to tell their story and receive the care they need to heal and find resiliency
  • $1,000 to Ambucs Grundy County Chapter to provide a customized bike to a child(ren) with special needs within Grundy County
  • $1,000 for Beans-and-Bites to continue providing workforce opportunities for individuals with disabilities while serving up tasty treats and great coffee

Morris Community High School

  • $3,000 to CASA of River Valley to support and advocate for Grundy County children who have experienced abuse or neglect
  • $1,500 for Children’s Advocacy Center to continue providing a safe space in Grundy County for children and youth who have experienced abuse to tell their story and receive the care they need to heal and find resiliency
  • $500 to Community Nutrition Network to assist in the cost of providing meals to seniors in Grundy County

Gardner-South Wilmington High School

  • $1,000 to Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet for a mobile food pantry at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington
  • $1,000 to the Village of Gardner to assist in the renovation costs of the lion water fountain located in downtown Gardner
  • $750 to Morris Rotaract/We Care of Grundy County to provide weekend food for students in the GSW area
  • $700 for Beans-and-Bites to continue providing workforce opportunities for individuals with disabilities while serving up tasty treats and great coffee
  • $700 for the GSW Student Assistance Fund to assist students at GSW with a variety of needs that cannot be met through other organizations
  • $400 to the Grundy County Transit System to provide free rides to residents in need in the GSW area
  • $250 for Just Animals to continue providing care to animals

Seneca High School

  • $2,500 for Grundy Area PADS to continue providing shelter, services, and support to Grundy County residents experiencing homelessness
  • $2,500 for CASA of River Valley to support and advocate for Grundy County children who have experienced abuse or neglect

Thank you to our sponsor CORIENT!

2024 photos by Lew Berman

2023 Young Philanthropist Awards

Coal City High School

  • Megan's Mission $1,000
  • Beans-N-Bites $2,000
  • Coal City Backpack Program $2,000

 

Gardner-South Wilmington High School

  • GSW Student Assistance Fund $900
  • Beans-N-Bites $1,350
  • CASA of River Valley $1,200
  • Grundy County Sheriff's Department $350
  • Catholic Charities $1,200

Morris Community High School

  • Morris Rotary Backpack Program $500
  • CASA of River Valley $3,000
  • Children's Advocacy Center $1,500

 

Seneca High School

  • Grundy Area PADS $833
  • CASA of River Valley $2,500
  • We Care of Grundy County $833
  • Grundy County Health Department $833

Thank you to our sponsor CI BDF Private Wealth!
Coal City HS YPs award $2,000 to the Coal City Backpack Program
Coal City HS YPs award $2,000 to Beans n Bites
Coal City HS YPs award $1,000 to Megan's Mission
GSW HS YPs award $1,350 to Beans n Bites
GSW HS YPs award $1,200 to Catholic Charities
GSW HS YPs award $900 to the GSW Student Assistance Fund
GSW HS YPs award $1,200 to CASA of River Valley
GSW HS YPs award $350 to the Grundy County Sheriff's Department
Morris HS YPs award $1,500 to the Grundy County Children's Advocacy Center
Morris HS YPs award $3,000 to CASA of River Valley
On behalf of Seneca HS YPs, $833 was awarded to Grundy Area PADS
On behalf of Seneca HS YPs, $833 was awarded to We Care of Grundy County
On behalf of Seneca HS YPs, $833 was awarded to the Grundy County Health Department
On behalf of Seneca HS YPs, $2,500 was awarded to CASA of River Valley
CFGC Program Director Devan Gagliardo and Accounting Manager Jackie Sebastiani
CFGC board member (and photographer) with Mike Hoover
CFGC Board President Steve Kezerle with his wife, Marcia
Mike and Jackie Sebastiani
CFGC Board President Steve Kezerle
Marcia & Steve Kezerle, Julie Buck, and GC State's Attorney Russ Baker
Rob Marsaglia wearing two board hats: CFGC & Beans n Bites
Former CFGC Board President Ralph Wolter and sponsor BDF investment advisor Jim King chat with Devan
CFGC board member Nancy Bjelland with Board Vice President Cindy Christensen
Morris Country Club - thanks for a great event!
Joanne Johnson
Amanda and Michelle, Behavioral Health Therapists, GC Health Department
Beans n Bites Kris Sayers and her husband
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Willis
Jaquline & Paityn Valentine
Amelia and Michelle Prium, Grundy County Health Administrator
Loretta and Melissa of the Behavioral Health Division of the GC Health Department
Dani and Darcy from the Behavioral Health Division of the GC Health Department
Macy Shell and Bergen Paulson
Coal City Schools Superintendent Chris Spencer and CCHS Principal Jen Kenney
GC State's Attorney Russ Baker with Timberlie Jahn, Executive Director of the GC Children's Advocacy Center
Eric Fisher, Executive Director of We Care of Grundy County
Phil Wardlow of Grundy Area PADS with Melissa Creamer of Kendall-Grundy Community Action Agency
Beans n Bites celebrate their grant awards
Grundy County Health Department team came out in force!