Student-led Grantmaking Program Supports Children, Youth, and Families while Giving Guilford Students Hands-On Experience in Philanthropy

The Guilford Foundation’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) awarded $13,250 through its 2026 community grantmaking program to support eight programs serving children, youth, and families in Guilford and surrounding communities.

Led entirely by local high school students, YAG gives young people the opportunity to experience philanthropy from start to finish. Members run their own meetings, identify and reach out to potential grant applicants, raise funds, review applications, and determine how their grantmaking dollars can have the greatest impact. Their recommendations are then presented to The Guilford Foundation’s Board of Directors for approval.

This year, YAG members raised over $8,000 toward their grantmaking and received an additional $5,000 match from The Guilford Foundation. The students reviewed 12 applications and ultimately recommended eight grants totaling $13,250.

“YAG puts real responsibility in the hands of our students,” said Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. “They are not simply learning about philanthropy. They are raising the money, talking with nonprofits, weighing community needs, and making thoughtful decisions about where those dollars can make a difference. It is an extraordinary opportunity to develop the next generation of community leaders.”

The 2026 YAG Community Grant recipients are:

• Community Dining Room: $2,200 to support 18 free community dinners.
• Town of Guilford Social Services: $2,200 for its Back-to-School Program, helping families with school supplies, shoes, haircuts, and other needs.
• Guilford Center for Children, Before and After School Care Program: $2,200 for financial assistance for families.
• Community Nursery School: $2,200 for summer tuition assistance.
• Guilford Center for Children: $2,200 for early education tuition assistance.
• ALEX, Inc.: $1,000 to support operating expenses for ALEX’s community space.
• Guilford Fair Parade: $1,000 to support the annual community parade.
• SARAH Foundation: $250 for supplies for Phase 2 of the Gavin & Friends Greenhouse project.

For YAG members, the process offers a firsthand look at the needs facing local families and the nonprofit organizations working to address them.

“Reviewing the applications opened our eyes to the number of organizations helping children and families in our community,” said YAG Co-Chair Elizabeth Reale. “We wanted to support as many strong programs as possible, working within the grant budget.  The process is challenging, but the results are rewarding, knowing that the money we awarded is helping people in our community.”

With a new school year starting, YAG is welcoming students interested in getting involved. Members gain hands-on experience in fundraising, grantmaking, nonprofit leadership, and community service while working alongside other students who want to make a difference in Guilford.

Founded in 2010, YAG has grown into an important part of The Guilford Foundation’s community leadership and grantmaking. Through fundraising and annual support from TGF, students have directed more than $130,000 to local nonprofit organizations and community initiatives since the organization’s inception.

To learn more about the Youth Advisory Group, click here.