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.
2023-2024 Youth Grantmakers in Action
- Alice Neelon, R. J. Reynolds High School
- Amirra Crews, R. J. Reynolds High School
- Aryaman Shukla, Atkins High School
- Ava Banner, Reagan High School
- Bradley Swayne, Atkins High School
- Carmen Davis, Winston-Salem Christian School
- Cora Hawfield, R. J. Reynolds High School
- David Jaramillo, Parkland High School
- Ghufran Abd, Parkland High School
- Grace Isiguzo, Early College of Forsyth
- Jadyn Alexander, Middle College of Forsyth
- Jadyn Uzzell, West Forsyth High School
- Jayla Page-Thomas, Middle College of Forsyth
- Lauren Shen, Atkins High School
- Rhoda Asare, Parkland High School
- Sloane Whalen, Mount Tabor
- Sorrel Kuppinger, R. J. Reynolds High School
- Taylor Shen, Atkins High School
- Tyler Jones, Walkertown High School
- Valerie Del Campo, Early College of Forsyth
- Wenda McLaurin, The North Carolina Leadership Academy
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.
We are now accepting applications! Review the grant guidelines and apply online by midnight on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
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.
2023 Grant Recipients
- Athletes4Change: $1,427 to conduct a basketball camp for under-served youth
- Científico Atlético: $2,038 to engage Hispanic youth in science and sports activities
- Embedded Mentor Program: $1,600 to conduct a youth entertainment camp incorporating strategies to reduce violence
- Hope and Zella Ann/SPARK: $700 to provide materials and supplies for 2 celebration events for low-income students
- Project Dosti: $1,600 to support youth refugees through language and academic skills
- Students4Change: $1,200 to purchase duffel bags and essential supplies for teenagers in the foster care system
- Study Buddies Friend Level Learning: $800 to expand a a youth tutoring program for elementary students
- TASA Youth Initiative: $635 to provide quality swim lessons to under-served children
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. Applications are closed for 2023-2024 Youth Grantmakers in Action members.