Youth Grantmakers in Action
Bringing Youth Voices to the Table
Youth Grantmakers in Action (YGA) creates an avenue for youth, ages 15–18, to play a meaningful role in philanthropy in Forsyth County.
YGA is a diverse and youth-led group who live in or attend school in Forsyth County. They come together to gain leadership experience, represent youth in their community, voice their opinions, and make grants to youth-directed projects that address community issues and challenges in Forsyth County.
The program supports authentic, working partnerships between youth grantmakers and other youth who are creating meaningful projects for community change.
2024-2025 Youth Grantmakers in Action
- Ava Banner, Reagan High School/Career Center
- Nicholas Cooper-Lewter, Early College of Forsyth
- Morgan Davis, Mount Tabor High School
- Valerie Del Campo, Early College of Forsyth
- Cora Hawfield, R.J. Reynolds High School
- Tyler Jones, Walkertown High School
- Wenda McLaurin, The North Carolina Leadership Academy
- Alice Neelon, R.J. Reynolds High School
- Asha Pariyadath, Reagan High School
- Aryanna Sarmiento, Calvary Day School
- Lauren Shen, Atkins High School
- Taylor Shen, Atkins High School
- Zoe Simmons, Forsyth Country Day School
- Bradley Swayne, Atkins High School
- Sophia Swift, Reagan High School
- Emily Thomas, Salem Academy High School
- Sloane Whalen, Mount Tabor High School
Grants for Youth-Led Projects
YGA makes grants annually to youth-led projects that address community issues and challenges and that have a positive impact on other youth. Funding proposals are accepted from late November to late January, and decisions are announced in March.
Do you have a proposal idea you’d like to discuss? We’d like to hear from you! Please contact us to schedule a conversation.
2025 Grant Recipients
- ArtSpark!: $375 to host a STEAM day camp designed to teach children at hospitals and Title 1 schools about science through hands-on art projects
- Chemicals That Change: $1,000 to host a preschool STEAM workshop to spark early interest in science
- Chess Bridge Academy: $500 to make chess more accessible to underserved communities by providing structured lessons, mentorship, and tournament opportunities
- Cyber Demons Robotics Club: $440 to build tables for Wiley and Jefferson Middle Schools’ STEM facilities
- L.I.T. Ambassadors (Literacy in Technology): $1,200 to launch a STEAM program for youth in the Cleveland Avenue Homes neighborhood
- LEAD Girls of NC Ambassadors: $1,876 to provide mentorship for rising 9th graders through the LEAD Girls Ambassadors program
- Project Peace Haven: $1,500 for a summer backpack program for the kids at the Peace Haven Mobile Home Park
- TASA Youth Initiative: $600 to provide free swim lessons to children at the YWCA Best Choice Center
What's YGA all About?
In this video, past member Megan Mills discusses what she learned from her YGA experience, including consensus-building and decision-making skills, and why it’s important to give back.
How to Get Involved
Join YGA
If you’re a rising 10th-12th grader and live in or attend school in Forsyth County, then you’re eligible to apply! YGA’s program runs from August through April of each school year.
The 2025-2026 YGA membership application will open in August 2025.
Donate
Adult Advisor:
Anna Willis, The Winston-Salem Foundation
Facilitator:
Megan Mills, Youth Grantmakers in Action Alum