Youth In Philanthropy board awards spring funding, marking 25 years and over $525,000 of grants by youth, for youth

The Northland Foundation and the young people serving on its Youth In Philanthropy Board awarded $7,380 through eight grants in the spring 2025 funding round.

Funding ranges up to $1,000 each for school and community projects within the foundation’ northeast Minnesota service area as well as the border community of Superior, Wisconsin.

25 Years and Growing

Since the program began in 2000, 110 youth board members and 21 volunteer adult mentors have made 620 grants totaling $510,000. Their funding decisions have helped thousands more students plan and participate in school- and community-based projects.

Students and mentors from 32 different communities have served on the board over the years. The 2024-25 Board included students from Aitkin, Barnum, Cherry, Cloquet, Duluth, Hermantown, Superior, and Two Harbors.

“We are so proud of what children and youth accomplish year after year and are excited about what the future holds.” —Jan Amys, Senior Program Officer

“Young people really care about their communities. Youth In Philanthropy connects them with the responsibilities and rewards of volunteer service and community giving,” stated Jan Amys, a Senior Program Officer at the Foundation who leads the program.

By and For Young People

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, with guidance from adult mentors, reviews grant requests and votes to approve funding.

Young grant applicants learn about project planning and budgets, how to seek funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations, and more. Children and youth must complete the grant application and carry out the project with the support of an adult adviser.

Communities across the region benefit not just immediately but also long-term as engaged local young people grow into invested adults who give back.

A new, four-minute video features current and former board members who describe the many ways Youth In Philanthropy makes a positive impact.

Donor Supported

The Youth In Philanthropy Program has received past funding support from Minnesota Power and 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.

There are three grant rounds per year: October, January, and April. The next application deadline is October 1, 2025. Learn more and apply at https://northlandfdn.org/grant-funding/youth-in-philanthropy-grants/.

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YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY SPRING 2025 GRANTS

East Range Academy of Technology and Science, Mt. Iron: $450
To support a student-led planting opportunity to include both indoor and outdoor gardening activities.

Robo Dweebs 5501, Two Harbors: $1,000
To support the purchase of new technology for the LEGO Robotics team.

Duluth Community School Collaborative, Duluth: $1,000
To support a project that provides students the ability to gain skills in leadership, problem solving, and emotion regulation.

Cook County Schools ISD 166, Grand Marais: $1,000
To support student gardening activities to improve the aesthetics of the school sign.

Duluth Community School Collaborative, Duluth: $1,000
To support the opportunity to distribute snacks to classroom teachers for students experiencing poverty and food insecurity.

Proctor Public Schools ISD 704, Proctor: $930.00
To support a creative early learning nature program to encourage families to be outdoors

Duluth Area Family YMCA, Duluth: $1,000
To provide the opportunity for kids to have shoes to stay healthy and active.

Two Harbors Soccer Club, Two Harbors: $1,000
To support mentoring and coaching framework to connect the athlete in mind, body, and spirit.

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