YC2 is a youth philanthropy program offered to juniors and seniors from Hinsdale Central High School,  Lyons Township High School, Nazareth Academy, and Riverside Brookfield High School. Curricula encourages students to explore our local community and its social needs; learn about philanthropic theory; and engage in organizational evaluation and grantmaking.

2022 Program Update                     

Sixty students participating in Community Memorial Foundation’s youth philanthropy program have awarded $30,000 in grant funding to four local nonprofit organizations working to provide basic needs services within the Western Suburbs.

Students directed funding toward efforts that “address the effect of poverty on health by providing for basic needs, such as access to nutritious food, homelessness prevention, and promotion of self-sufficiency.” Twenty-one organizations applied for a grant and four were awarded funding: BEDS Plus ($7,500), Bridge Communities ($10,000), Hope’s Front Door ($5,000), and Housing Forward ($7,500). These agencies are working throughout Community Memorial Foundation’s geographic service area to provide an array of basic needs assistance, including housing; food, medical, and transportation vouchers; and financial literacy programming.

Questions?

Please contact Tom Fuechtmann or Beth Murin at 630.654.4729.

Community Memorial Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of The Burjan Family, Moira & Paul Naffah, and Corlyn & Jeff Simmons in facilitating the YC2 program.