The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) knows how important it is to engage young people in giving. So does the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF).
Together, they are ensuring that secondary students in Burlington will be able to create an impact in their local community by supporting a charitable gift to an organization of their choosing.
In 2025, the Foundation began a pilot partnership with YPI by providing its first $5,000 grant from BCF to support YPI’s programming at Aldershot High School. BCF granting is made possible through the generosity of donors.
Grade 10 students will learn about philanthropy and charitable impact as they research local organizations and then make a case to their peers about which registered charity should be supported. Students will then decide which charity receives $5,000 in funding.
“Partnering with the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative was a strong fit for BCF,” says Foundation CEO, Megan Tregunno.
“As the city’s generosity and giving hub, we support education through scholarship funds, and YPI directly aligns with our support of children and youth. We are pleased to be able to help younger community members learn about the impact and importance of local philanthropy, while being part of a national youth movement through YPI.”
During the 2024/25 school year, more than 15,000 students took part in YPI nationally and more than $485,000 was awarded to 98 charities in six provinces.
BCF’s grant will enable the 6th year of participation for Aldershot students, who have granted $5,000 annually to local charitable organizations, including Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton, Centre for Diverse Learners, and the Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment Services (ADAPT).
“We’re excited about the momentum YPI is building and are grateful for the support of the Burlington Community Foundation,” says YPI Program Director Marina Spalla, who is also an alumna of the program.
“We know the importance of engaging youth in philanthropic giving through experiential learning, and we are thrilled we able to provide students at Aldershot High School with this opportunity for another year.”
YPI was created in 2002 and works to help instill a culture of generosity in students, while empowering them to make a tangible impact.
Learn more about YPI at www.GoYPI.ca and the work of BCF at www.BurlingtonFoundation.org.