7 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $8,015 were awarded in 2023

GFWC Lincoln Women's Club - $1,500 for "Water Safety" to train all lifeguards at the Lincoln Park District Aquatics Center in spring 2023 and provide economically disadvantaged children the chance to learn to swim by offering free paid-for group lessons for beginning swimmers.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois - $1,250 for "STEM Outreach Program - DeWitt County" to offer program focused on delivering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to 50 girls in DeWitt County while also strengthening the development of social and emotional learning competencies promoting resiliency among the youth served.

McLean County Children's Advocacy Center - $1,300 for "Child Safety Matters - A Day at the Zoo" to offer one-day event allowing local children to participate in learning activities and have fun at Miller Park Zoo, while local social service agencies provide adult caretakers with education, information and tools on how to keep children safe.

Project Oz - $1,200 for "Youth Action Board," a youth-led peer-prevention and leadership program that brings together students from five Bloomington-Normal area high schools to develop and present substance use prevention activities and messages from a youth perspective to educate their peers and parents, while encouraging community involvement in prevention activities.

Sonshine Daycare - $1,065 for "Playground Equipment" to give children 5 and under more opportunities to exert their independence through the purchase and installation of new playground equipment; upgrade will not only benefit the children at Sonshine, but also visitors to the Mt Hope Funks Grove Park District.

Sunnyside Community Gardens & Food Forest - $500 for "Rooted Summer Apprenticeship" to employ several teens aged 14-18 within a 2-mile radius of the garden in west Bloomington to help with the responsibilities of the garden; program also introduces teens to careers that would involve college or a direct path from high school to career.

Vespasian Warner Public Library - $1,200 for "Literacy Through Play: A Destination for Families" to allow the library to enhance the children's space so that it is engaging and inviting for everyone; funding will purchase a modular seating set that can be used for family reading, gross motor play and more.