Students Put Generosity into Action, Awarding $10,000 to Nine Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Teton Valley, in partnership with Government classes at Teton High School, is pleased to announce this year’s Youth Philanthropy grant recipients. The program offers local seniors the opportunity to explore community needs, learn about the role of philanthropy, and see how generosity makes a lasting difference.

Now in its 16th year, the Youth Philanthropy Program has involved more than 675 students and awarded over $95,000 to local nonprofits, giving students firsthand experience of the impact of generosity and community involvement.

The program introduces students to philanthropy and deepens their understanding of the important role nonprofits play in meeting community needs. Working together, students evaluate grant proposals, discuss local priorities, weigh funding decisions, and reach consensus on how to allocate available funds. Along the way, they build valuable skills in facilitation, critical thinking, debate, and collaborative decision-making.

This year, students reviewed funding requests from 20 local organizations seeking support for projects ranging from youth scholarships and early literacy to emergency response equipment, food assistance, wildlife rehabilitation, and community resources. After thoughtful discussion and deliberation, students awarded $10,000 to nine organizations.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Above & Beyond the Classroom – Friday Scholarships
• Education Foundation of Teton Valley – Teton Valley Cares Back-to-School Readiness
• Teton County Idaho Search & Rescue – Empower Backcountry Lifesaving Equipment
• Teton Valley Collaborative for Early Learning – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• Teton Valley Food Pantry – Meat for Families During the Holidays
• Teton Valley Community Recycling – Providing Bikes for Kids in Teton Valley
• Teton Valley Health Care – Vital Training Equipment
• Teton Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – Enhancements to Outdoor Release Conditioning Enclosure for Songbirds & Waterfowl
• Wild Spirit Mustangs – Critical Winter Hay

The awards included six fully funded and three partially funded projects. Students distributed available funding thoughtfully, balancing individual project requests with the needs of the broader community. Senior participant Sophia Little commented, “It’s important to care for your community, and this is a great way to learn about it.”

Tin Cup Challengers and private donors make the Youth Philanthropy Program possible, partnering with the Community Foundation to turn generosity into local impact. Their support lets students experience philanthropy firsthand and helps local organizations advance projects. By giving seniors grantmaking power, the program funds important work while cultivating engaged community members who understand everyone can help make a difference.

Thank you to the participating nonprofits for sharing their work and community needs, to the Teton High School seniors for their thoughtful participation, and to the donors whose generosity makes this learning experience and community investment possible.