25 Years of Youth In Philanthropy
Learning, Leadership, and Giving Back
Youth In Philanthropy marks a quarter century of empowering young people to support positive action in their communities
As the world moved into a new millennium, the year 2000 brought excitement and a little anxiety (remember Y2K?). The Northland Foundation began the new century with a fresh start, too, as we introduced a pilot youth development program. The idea was to introduce kids from rural northeast Minnesota to community giving and allow them to develop their potential to serve and lead.
Fast forward 25 years … the Youth In Philanthropy Program is still connecting young people with the responsibilities and rewards of volunteerism and grant-making.
Impact ripples across the region
Over that time, 110 youth board members and 21 volunteer adult mentors have awarded funding to 620 projects spread across all seven counties as well as the border community of Superior, Wisconsin. Their work adds up to major investments—more than half a million—making a difference in rural schools and communities, one grant of $1,000 or less at a time. Board members have hailed from more than 30 northeast Minnesota sites.
“It is pretty mind-blowing to think about where Youth In Philanthropy started and what a powerful force for good it has been for, and because of, kids in our region and the adults who support them,” said Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation.
The magic formula: by youth, for youth
Each year, a group of 12 to 15 middle and high school students are invited to serve on the board. Many have not been in leadership roles before. That’s intentional. The program is designed to open doors for more young people to recognize and strengthen their abilities and grow in confidence.
“We are proud of what young people from our region accomplish year after year and optimistic about the future of Youth In Philanthropy.” — Jan Amys, Senior Program Officer
Students are the grant-makers and the grant recipients. Whether awarding or applying, young people discover firsthand how small groups of people working together can accomplish big things.
A youth-powered board of middle and high school students reviews grant requests prepared by children and youth and votes on funding.
Adult representatives amplify the youths’ voices, encouraging them to be curious, consider different perspectives, think critically, and reach their own conclusions.
Young grant applicants learn about project planning and budgets, how to seek funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations, cooperation, and seeing things through, from idea to completion.
Communities learn that kids are genuinely excited to help others, and the community benefits not just today but long-term as engaged young people become invested adults.
The program year includes a September orientation and team-building session, board meetings in October, January, and April to award funding, and a spring celebration event.
A reunion and celebration
the 25th celebration; looking back on the 2001 board, a
current mentor and two youth members including
the incoming chair.
This year, the annual springtime board banquet was followed up with a special event to commemorate 25 years of programming.
An anniversary gathering in Duluth joined Youth In Philanthropy participants and supporters from throughout its history.
The dinner and program held on May 22 in Duluth welcomed original youth board members right up through the incoming 2025-2026 youth chair, past and present adult mentors and Northland trustees, as well as staff, including Lynn Haglin, former Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director who created Youth In Philanthropy 25 years ago.
“It is so much fun to learn where life has taken the young people who have served on the board. Many of them are grown now with children of their own,” said Senior Program Officer, Jan Amys, who has been with Youth In Philanthropy since 2007 and leads the program today.
Generations of support
In a typical year, the board awards in the neighborhood of $25,000. Grants from YIP have helped launch peer mentoring programs, school health fairs, environmental learning, and much more—in small towns where good ideas aren’t scarce, but funding often is.
Past program support came from Minnesota Power as well as individual donors. In recent years, the program is supported through the generosity of the Scott and Holly Martin Family Foundation and members of the Northland Foundation’s Emeritus Trustee Group.
Noted Amys, “The kids on the board know their grant budget is the result of donations from former Northland Foundation board members. It creates a really cool component of experienced philanthropists helping instill the spirit of giving in upcoming generations,” she said.
Marking a milestone
board members share their experiences with the program.
Take a look and listen! A new, four-minute video highlights a quarter century of grantmaking by and for young people in our rural region. Special thanks to former youth board members Rizal Agaton Howes (2020-2025), Luke Wohlwend (2006-2009), and Angie Johnson (2000-2003) and to Northland Foundation Trustee and adult mentor, Jamie Adams, for sharing their experiences.
Youth In Philanthropy ignites young people’s potential, strengthens rural places, and builds a more generous future for our region. We are celebrating 25 years, and we’re just getting started.
Learn More or Apply
Are you a young person or youth-serving organization with a great project idea? Through Youth In Philanthropy, young people ages 8 to 18 have an opportunity to develop and implement projects that will benefit their schools, organizations, and communities. Grants up to $1,000 are awarded 3x per year for school or community projects led by children and youth, with the support of an adult advisor. Community and school groups and youth-serving nonprofits may apply. Projects must take place in northeast Minnesota or Superior, Wisconsin. The next deadline to submit a grant is October 1, 2025.