8 Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants totaling $9,139 were awarded in 2025
Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony – $1,100 for “Performance at Westminster Village” for performance of an outreach concert at the end of April before BNYS’s culminating spring performance that youth symphony members and seniors look forward to sharing together.
East Bay Camp (Illinois Great Rivers Conference) – $1,933 for “Construction Exploration and Skills Development” for campers aged 5-13 to learn new skills and grow self-confidence while at this electronics-free day camp that focuses on learning about construction through a workshop setting and at a construction exploration station in the woods.
For the Children Bloomington-Normal Camp #362 – $750 for “For the Children Camp #362” to help foster youth feel valued, supported and empowered to overcome past trauma through this week-long summer camp, providing a safe space to build self-esteem, develop positive relationships and experience healing.
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois – $1,400 for “Sisterhood – Girl Scouts Curriculum and Support for Big Brothers, Big Sisters” is a collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big and Little Sisters will have access to the Girl Scout Juliette curriculum giving Littles the chance to be Girl Scouts and Bigs a positive set of activities in which to engage with their Littles during their time together; to subsidize registration costs for McLean and DeWitt county participants.
Jump4Joy Squad – $500 for “Leadership and Summer Jump Rope Camps” to build relationships with families and share the joy of exercising by jumping rope with as many young people as possible in Bloomington-Normal through a free four-week summer program; youth in 6th grade through high schools will learn leadership skills and youth entering 1st through 8th will learn followership.
Sonshine Daycare – $1,200 for “Toddler Playground Equipment” to provide the tools needed for active play and creativity in growing children ages 1-4 at daycare facility; grant will provide outdoor play equipment that sparks imagination, encourages movement and provides endless hours of fun.
The Baby Fold – $1,100 for “Healthy Start Program” to help first-time or young families identify strengths and needs, establish goals, and connect to resources so they can build safe homes free of abuse and neglect.
Vespasian Warner Public Library District – $1,156 for “Bringing the Universe Home: Take-Home Science Kits” to provide youth with high-quality STEM kits that teach scientific concepts through hands-on activities; kits will be loaned and returned just like other library materials.
