The Youth Advisory Group (YAG), a youth-run grantmaking body of The Guilford Foundation, distributed $29,000 to the community-serving nonprofits at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Through the Guilford Interact Student Advisory Fund, $14,000 in grants were awarded to area organizations providing critical services that impact Guilford’s youth.

The six grant recipients include: 

• ALEX, Inc.: Queer Prom 2024
• Community Dining Room: 2024 Pride Rally
• Community Nursery School: Summer Session Tuition Assistance
• GCC Early Education: Tuition Assistance
• GCC Before & After Care: Financial Support for Families
• Guilford Free Library: Gaming at the Library
• Guilford Social Services: Back to School Program
• SARAH Foundation: Gavin & Friends Courtyard Renovation
• Shoreline Arts Alliance: Leadership Development Initiative
• The Guilford Fair Parade: Parade
• Women and Family Life Center: Guided Assistance Program

YAG members also recommended over $15,000 in funding from the Guilford Institute Fund (GIF) for high school-specific programs that fall outside the budget. Guilford High School projects funded through GIF grants include Girls Tennis Team jackets, Multicultural Festival, Teen Art Club at Guilford Art Center, and Unified Sports Spring Fling and sports camera.  

“We’re incredibly proud of our Youth Advisory Group program. It’s a small-scale community foundation run by students who address community needs through grantmaking. They are empowered to drive the decision-making, run their monthly meetings, organize fundraising events, and present their grant recommendations to TGF’s Board of Directors,” explained Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “It is a phenomenal educational opportunity for the students who gain hands-on experience while building critical leadership skills. We hope this experience empowers our ‘Yaggies’ to use philanthropy and their voice to shape the future.”

The Youth Advisory Group started in 2010 as a collaboration between The Guilford Foundation and the GHS Interact Club. Its goal was to engage youth in philanthropy and support more local organizations through grantmaking. TGF offers to match the funds YAG raises each year to feed its dedicated endowment fund. Since YAG’s inception, these dedicated and motivated teenagers have invested more than $130,000 in the community. In 13 years, their endowed funding source has grown to exceed  $60,000.

Members of the 2023-2024 YAG include Scarlet Earls, Mary Gahm (Co-Secretary), Samantha Inglesias, Liza Irwin (Treasurer), Sage Kellogg (Co-Chair), Lyra Monaco (Co-Secretary), Elizabeth Reale, Nolan Stankewich (Co-Chair), and Emelia Votto. 

Students interested in joining YAG for the 2024-2025 school year should contact Liza Janssen Petra at [email protected]