YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY
interested in as an individual but also as a group,” Oluwafemi says. “They'll do research on their chosen focus area, get to understand that, and then look and identify organizations and initiatives within that specific area. And then based on that interest, they might decide to fund a specific initiative or organization.” In the past several years The Winnipeg Foundation has expanded the program outside of schools to include community organizations — such as Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and BGC Winnipeg — to reduce barriers for youth who may not attend school and to reach young adults up to age 25. They have also expanded their focus on reaching equity-deserving communities and reducing the number of children and youth in in the child welfare system.
Every YiP group is led by a team of youth leaders, and the group selects an area of interest based on needs identified through The Winnipeg Foundation’s Vital Signs data collection project, which highlights current issues and areas of need in Winnipeg. The focus areas for YiP in 2025-26 include mental health, addiction and the opioid crisis, homelessness, animal welfare, climate change and hunger. The youth select one or more areas to focus on throughout the school year, engage with local non- profits in the sector and choose how to allocate the grant. “That money is up to the school or club to decide how they want to distribute that from a granting perspective. So the youth get to understand the power of a grant and being a funder. They go to different organizations; they get to interact with them, get to talk to organizations, get to see what they are
The program provides a grant of $6,000 to $10,000 per school for youth to allocate to community projects that resonate with youth and tie into current issues. Roughly 500 to 600 youth participate each year — and over its 26-year existence, more than 20,000 youth have become actively involved in philanthropy through the program. “The program introduces youth to the power of philanthropy and getting them to understand the power that they hold and how much of a difference that they can make in our community,” says Mercy Oluwafemi, senior youth program officer with The Winnipeg Foundation. “Within all of that, YiP also provides the opportunity to develop and practise soft skills that are essential in the workplace and to their role as global citizens.” The YiP program is youth-driven, giving young people the opportunity to exercise leadership, collaboration, teamwork and communication skills.
Invest in the futures for children and youth. Start your legacy today. For 50 years, children and youth who drop in to Rossbrook House find a safe place to belong, play, learn and become… You can plan for their futures when you leave a gift to Rossbrook House Foundation in your will or estate planning.
OPEN 365 DAYS EACH YEAR with programs, daily meals and safe rides home.
learn more rossbrookhouse.ca/foundation or call 204.949.4092 | scan the qr code
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