Do you know a high school student who wants to make a difference by supporting local nonprofits that serve youth in the Fox River Valley?
If so, encourage them to apply for the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley’s Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) Program. The online application for the 2026-2027 school year, open to high school students attending schools in Kane or Kendall County, is now posted at cffrv.org/yep. (Current eight graders who will be freshmen in the fall are eligible to apply.) The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 30.
Youth Engagement in Philanthropy gives local high school students the opportunity to learn about fundraising, grantmaking, and making a difference in the community. Through YEP, Fox Valley high school students gain hands-on experience in philanthropy, take on leadership roles, expand their perspectives, and build valuable skills that prepare them for success in high school, college, and beyond.
Currently, the Community Foundation’s 2025-2026 YEP cohort – 37 philanthropy-minded teens representing 12 Fox Valley area high schools – are evaluating grant proposals submitted earlier this year by area nonprofits that serve youth-related causes. At the end of the school year, YEP students will announce how they will allocate $25,000 among these agencies to make the greatest positive impact on youth in the Fox River Valley.
—Jay Kelly PR