Youth Philanthropy Council Marks Two Years of Learning and Impact

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council closed out its two-year program June 11 with a youth-led fundraiser that included member and staff reflections, and the announcement of small grants supporting organizations across Fairfield County.

More than 70 nonprofit partners, family members and friends attended Night of Music and Impact at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport. The evening celebrated the work of Council members ages 16 to 24, who gained hands-on experience through volunteering, grant writing, fundraising, proposal review and grantmaking alongside mentors and Community Foundation staff.

The Council announced $8,600 in small grants for 14 youth-serving Fairfield County nonprofits addressing educational disparities—the focus area members selected for their grantmaking.

Matt, a Stamford native and rising sophomore at George Washington University, told guests that YPC changed his understanding of philanthropy.

“Before YPC, I thought philanthropy was simple. You find a cause, you donate, and you’re done,” he said. “But sitting around the table with my fellow council members, reading through grant applications and asking hard questions about impact and sustainability, I realized how much more intentional it has to be.”

For fellow Council member Kelise, the experience also reinforced the importance of youth voice.

“People are willing to listen to youth, and if we see an issue with something, we can absolutely take a hand at making a change or give our input.”

Small Grants Awarded by the Council

For their final grantmaking process, members invited local nonprofits to apply for support for educational access, academic and career development, youth leadership and volunteer engagement.

After reviewing applications and learning more about each organization, the Council selected grants for:

• GroundWork Bridgeport: Urban Fellows Program
• Carver Foundation of Norwalk: Carver Spring College Tour
• Cardinal Shehan Center: Summer Day Camp Volunteer Opportunities
• Youth Business Initiative: Business Development Program
• Bridgeport Prospers: Youth Development Initiative
• United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut: Youth Corps
• Norwalk ACTS: Youth Advocate ProgramFamily & Children’s Agency: ASPIRE After-School Program
• The House of Darla: Summer of Success: Youth Leadership & Community Impact Initiative
• ROSCCO: My Buddy Literacy and Beyond
• Marlene Correa Foundation: Young Women’s Pathway to Financial Independence Program
• Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders: Level Up!
• Center Stage Theatre: Youth CONNection Volunteer Corps
• Project Music: Youth Leadership Team Performances

At the celebration, FCCF President and CEO Mendi Blue Paca emphasized that members were already taking on meaningful leadership roles.

“Young people are often described as ‘future leaders,’ but what this past year has made clear is that you are already leading,” she told them. “When youth are meaningfully included in philanthropy, it doesn’t just benefit young people—it makes the work itself stronger.”

Creating meaningful access to philanthropy early in life helps young people see themselves not only as donors, but as stewards of their communities. For Matt, that sense of responsibility will shape how he approaches his career in finance.

“Because of YPC, I do not just want to be successful in finance,” he said. “I want to be deliberate about what I do with that success. This program gave me a framework for generosity and accountability that I will build on for the rest of my life.”