High school students participating in the Youth Philanthropy Boards of the Delaware Community Foundation have awarded $52,000 to several nonprofit organizations throughout the state.

The foundation sponsors a board in each county to encourage students to become more involved in philanthropy. Each is allotted a pool of money to give as charitable grants.

Members are tasked with studying issues in their neighborhoods and schools, identifying a focus area for grantmaking, learning about philanthropy and effective grantmaking, soliciting proposals and conducting visits to nonprofit organizations. With that knowledge, the students select grantees they deem will have the most impact.

In 2023, the Delaware Community Foundation provided $16,500 to the Kent board, $18,000 to the New Castle board and $17,500 to the Sussex board.

This year’s Kent County grants were awarded to agencies that focus on physical well-being (food insecurity, homelessness, etc.) and mental health services that address self-harm (cutting, substance/alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, etc.). They were:

• Visions of Hope Inc. — $5,000.
• YWCA of Delaware — $3,567.62.
• Delaware Guidance Services — $3,432.38.
• Courageous Hearts — $2,000.
• Green Beret Project — $1,250.
• St. John’s Community Services — $1,250.

In New Castle County, the focus for grants was the physical and mental health of youth, with nonprofits including, but not limited to, those that improve nutrition, food security, positive body image and the negative impacts of social media, and decrease substance use and youth violence. The awardees were:

• Down Syndrome Association of Delaware — $2,500.
• Survivors of Abuse in Recovery — $2,500.
• Tether Foundation — $2,500.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters — $2,250.
• Vision to Learn — $2,500.
• Supporting Kidds — $1,250.
• EDGE for Tomorrow — $2,000.
• YWCA of Delaware — $2,500.

The focus in Sussex County was funding nonprofits that support those who struggle with access to reproductive (teen pregnancy), mental health and/or substance abuse services. Preference was given to nonprofits that mentor middle and high school students to avoid and minimize these obstacles. The winners were:

• YWCA of Delaware — $1,500.
• Zoe Ministries of Delaware — $1,500.
• Delaware Guidance Services — $1,500.
• Courageous Hearts — $4,000.
• Tether Foundation — $4,000.
• Survivors of Abuse in Recovery — $5,000.