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.
2022-2023 Youth Grantmakers in Action
- Sarah Bettis, Reynolds High School
- Carmen Davis, Winston-Salem Christian School
- Valerie del Campo, Early College of Forsyth
- Hillary Dunn, Reynolds High School
- Tatum Grace, East Forsyth High School
- West Graham, Bishop McGuinness High School
- Landon Greenwood, Forsyth Country Day School
- Cora Hawfield, West Forsyth High School
- Grace Isiguzo, Early College of Forsyth
- Testimony Isiguzo, Atkins High School
- Sally Kwak, Early College of Forsyth
- Ifeoluwatobi Onasanya, Parkland High School
- Wyatt Scholl, recent high school graduate
- Alex Shen, Atkins High School
- Desiree' Shields, Reagan High School
- Bradley Swayne, Atkins High School
- Jadyn Uzzell, West Forsyth High School
- Alecia Washington, Reynolds High School
- Sloane Whalen, Mt. Tabor High School
- Anisa Williams, Reagan 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.
2022 Grant Recipients
- Atkins HOSA – $600 to support a blessing closet filled with school and toiletry supplies for students
- Atkins’ Women’s Basketball Team - $1,500 to conduct a basketball camp for youth
- Early College of Forsyth A Cappella - $150 for music materials to host a concert and provide a safe space for student expression
- How r u rly? - $1,000 for a mental-health initiative for high school students
- Leer Latino - $2,100 to provide dual-language literature and improve educational equity for Spanish-speaking students
- Mount Tabor High School Ebony Society – $750 to host a workshop on self-care for youth
- Students4Change – $800 to purchase duffel bags for teenagers in the foster care system
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 now open for 2023-2024 Youth Grantmakers in Action members through midnight on Monday, May 22, 2023. Please read the FAQ and apply here.
Donate
Adult Advisor:
Katie Sonnen-Lee, The Winston-Salem Foundation
Facilitator:
Megan Mills, Youth Grantmakers in Action Alum