The Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF), in partnership with United Way Brandon & District, is proud to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program by granting over $36,000 to local charities.
The presentation, made by YIP students from Elton Collegiate, École Secondaire Neelin High School, and Vincent Massey High School, took place at Elton Collegiate in Forrest, MB on April 29th.
Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) is a joint program between BACF and United Way Brandon & District, designed to introduce motivated youth to philanthropy and local community development. Through this program, students gain first-hand experience working together and connecting with charitable organizations to help communities thrive.
In the fall of 2004, with support from the Thomas Sill Foundation and then-Chairperson of BACF, the late Keay Dobson-Golletz, the Youth in Philanthropy program was launched. Keay, who served on the BACF Board for nine years, was instrumental in initiating and funding YIP in local high schools. Her vision encouraged students to engage with community groups and provided grants to support their initiatives, instilling lifelong values of empathy and philanthropy.
The first YIP grant was awarded in the spring of 2005. In 2010, BACF partnered with United Way Brandon & District to strengthen and grow the program, providing even more students with opportunities to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
"United Way Brandon & District is deeply grateful for opportunity to partner with the Brandon Area Community Foundation in our continued support of the Youth in Philanthropy program. This collaboration reflects and builds upon the inspiring legacy of Debbie Arsenault, whose steadfast belief in investing in youth continues to shape our future leaders. Through Youth in Philanthropy, we are not only teaching young people about the pressing social needs within our community but also nurturing a lifelong understanding of the importance of compassion, leadership, and giving back. Together, we are empowering the next generation to become champions of positive change, ensuring that Debbie's vision for a stronger, more caring community lives on."
Each September, participating schools form their YIP committees. Students research local registered charities that align with BACF’s granting criteria, visit the organizations, and meet with staff to better understand their missions before making their grant decisions.
Trudy Zelmer, teacher advisor for Vincent Massey High School’s YIP group, states: "YIP is more than a philanthropy program—it's a hands-on education in empathy, leadership, and service. Supporting local charities through volunteer work gives students a deeper understanding of both the world around them and their place in it."
Over the past 20 years, Youth in Philanthropy students have awarded more than $236,000 in grants to charitable organizations throughout Brandon and Westman.
In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of YIP and in memory of Keay Dobson-Golletz, this year’s students will also be awarding two special $10,000 grants on April 29th.