Cultivating the Next Generation in Philanthropy

The Youth Philanthropy Council is an advisory committee of the Northern New York Community Foundation. It was chartered in 2010 to promote positive youth development and leadership while engaging young people in meaningful activities that build their skills and deepen their understanding of community needs and philanthropy and its impact on Northern New York. Council members grow to become critical thinkers as they engage in lessons that may never be taught in a classroom.

Since its inception in 2010, the Youth Philanthropy Council has awarded 155 grants totaling $285,070 in support to nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

In the past 15 years, nearly 170 students representing eight Northern New York high schools have served or are presently serving on the Youth Philanthropy Council. Click here to view a list of YPC alumni.

This year’s Youth Philanthropy Council includes 14 representatives from Carthage, General Brown, Immaculate Heart, Lyme, and South Jefferson central schools, and Watertown High School. Council members are in their junior, or senior class.

Council recruiting

Recruiting for the Class of 2026-2027 is NOW CLOSED. Our advisor team is reviewing applications for service and will contact students selected for an interview soon.

Questions?

Contact Emily Pfeil, emily@nnycf.org or call 315-782-7110 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. 

Program sponsors

The Youth Philanthropy Council is supported through the thoughtful generosity of the Renzi Family Charitable Foundation of the Northern New York Community Foundation, Watertown Savings Bank, RBC Wealth Management Watertown, the Mart Liinve Fund, the Timerman Family Fund, and donors who make gifts to the Friends of the Foundation Community Betterment Annual Fund.