Over 13 years ago, a partnership was formed between the Rotary’s Interact Club and The Guilford Foundation to create the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) to promote youth philanthropy. Al Jacob, Pat DeChiara, and Sandy Ruoff agreed to lead a group of curious and motivated Guilford High School (GHS) students.

In that time, YAG has raised and distributed $126,000 into the community through 84 grants for financial aid, food insecurity, the town social services backpack program, and so much more. Through their fundraising efforts, the students have contributed annually to their permanent endowment fund, which has grown to $61,000.

Additionally, when the Guilford Institute established a permanent fund at TGF in 2014 to support GHS projects outside the annual budget, we asked YAG to recommend distribution for these funds. Through that fund, they’ve disbursed an additional 31 grants totaling $57,0000, providing seed money for the Science Olympiad, water bottle filling stations, and LED fixtures for the music boosters, to name a few.

This outstanding leadership of the advisors resulted in this incredible achievement.

Al and Pat have announced that they are stepping down from their advisory roles after many years of great work and dedicated service. We thank them, along with Sandy, for teaching the next generation how philanthropy can help build strong communities and effect change. They have made a lasting impact on YAG, TGF, GHS, and our town.

Do you know a student interested in participating in YAG? Please send us an email!