Youth Philanthropy in Action
Educating Marion County Middle School Students about Philanthropy
Youth Philanthropy in Action (YPIA) is a philanthropy education program of the NPBC designed to teach middle school students the importance of philanthropy, and how they can make a difference in their community even at their age.
In the Classroom, YPIA is one-day-per-week for six weeks class where council members encourage students to learn about their passions and interests while teaching:
The history of philanthropy
The differences in the sectors of society (nonprofit, for profit, government)
How to interview a philanthropist
Writing a personal mission statement
Classmates are grouped based on common interests and create “case for support” presentations for an imaginary $500 to support local charities. The class votes by secret ballot for the group with the best presentation.
Through a grant from the Community Foundation, winning students and nonprofit receive real money.
Each gift of $500 sponsors a YPIA classroom.
Since 2012, nearly 800 students have received the YPIA curriculum in public and private middle schools throughout Marion County with $17,000 in grants given to nonprofits.
