JACKSON, Wyo. — The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole announced today that its 2024 Youth Philanthropy program awarded $52,500 in grants to 33 local nonprofits. Youth Philanthropy provides students at the five Teton County, WY high schools a hands-on learning experience in philanthropy. Participating students review grant proposals, discuss their community impact and make difficult granting decisions to fund nonprofit initiatives.

Last December, local nonprofits submitted grant applications, and the high school Youth Philanthropy committees met throughout the winter to review applications and decide which projects to support. This year, roughly 40 students from Jackson Hole High School, Summit Innovations School, Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools, Jackson Hole Community School and Jackson Hole Classical Academy participated in the program. The grant proposals they reviewed represented a broad array of arts, conservation, education, recreation and health and human service programs in Teton County.

Elly Garrett, Executive Director of grantee Girls Actively Participating! (GAP!), shared, “This funding will help expand our girls’ confidence and leadership skill-building at Kelly and Alta elementary schools. Youth Philanthropy plants the seeds of social action, personal empowerment and accountability.”

Youth Philanthropy saw a record ask this year: 33 organizations requested a total of $92,140. Student reviewers had an especially tough assignment, with a request that exceeded the 2023 record by $20,000. Fortunately, the Foundation was able to offer a record amount of grant funding – $52,500 – thanks to the generosity of 2023 Old Bill’s CoChallengers and individual Youth Philanthropy donors. After hours of thoughtful, lively deliberation, reviewers funded the projects they believe will most enrich Teton County.

“Youth Philanthropy helps educate our youth about the impact of local nonprofits and the role of philanthropy in our community,” said Director of Grants & Nonprofit Outreach Annie Riddell. “This program puts teens in the driver’s seat for social good.”

The Community Foundation is pleased to recognize exemplary student leaders in the Youth Philanthropy program. The Future Old Bill Award is given to a student from each school who, in the example of Mr. & Mrs. Old Bill, demonstrates leadership, thoughtfulness, commitment and a charitable spirit throughout the grant-making process. Each winner received $400 to allocate to the local nonprofit of their choice. This year, the Future Old Bill Award winners are:

  • Jackson Hole Community School: Sorayah Ziem
  • Jackson Hole High School: Sayre Jorgenson
  • Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools: Biz Carlin
  • Summit Innovations School: Alexa Higgins
  • Jackson Hole Classical Academy: Jackson and James Neishabouri (shared award)

Youth Philanthropy 2024 Grant Winners

  • Animal Adoption Center | Foster Enrichment Program
  • Art Association of Jackson Hole | Avery Mathieu Scholarship Fund Support
  • Astoria Park Conservancy | Empowering Astoria’s Future: Invest Today for Tomorrow’s Leaders
  • Camina Conmigo JH | Connecting Latino Adults with the Outdoors
  • Carving the Future | Shred the Gap Mentorship
  • Center for the Arts | Tlaxcala Sister City Project
  • City Kids Wilderness Project | Grand Teton, Grand Climb
  • Climb Wyoming | Fueling Mom’s Careers: Nutrition for Job Success
  • Community Safety Network | JH High School Peer Advocate Club
  • Coombs Outdoors | Creating Safety, Access, & Fun through Youth Swimming Lessons
  • Dancers’ Workshop | Contemporary Dance Wyoming Residency Program
  • Energy Conservation Works | Green Power Ambassador Program
  • First in Family Jackson Hole | Financial Planning for First Gen Scholars
  • Girls Actively Participating! | Expansion to Alta and Kelly Elementary Schools
  • Grand Teton Music Festival | Free Interactive Workshop with Third Coast Percussion
  • Grand Teton National Park Foundation | Grand Teton National Park Jenny Lake Ranger Rigging for Rescue Training
  • Immigrant Hope | Boosting Visibility and Impact for Immigration Legal Services
  • Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum | An Evolving Student Exhibit Display
  • Jackson Hole Land Trust | R Park Reservoir Maintenance – Snake River Siphon Cleanout
  • Jackson Hole Pride | Project Connection: Activities Programming for LGBTQIA+ Youth
  • Jackson Hole Public Art | Asphalt Art Public Art Crossings
  • Jackson Hole Writers | Almost Authors Writing Workshops and Conference
  • KHOL – Jackson Hole Community Radio | Next Generation Radio Journalist Training
  • National Museum of Wildlife Art | NMWA Children’s Gallery Improvement
  • Off Square Theatre Company | Off Square Players
  • Protect Our Water Jackson Hole | 2024 E. coli Monitoring
  • Teton Botanical Garden | Growability Project
  • Teton County Search & Rescue Foundation | Backcountry Zero Ambassador Certification and Scholarship Fund
  • Teton Literacy Center | Jetsetter Camping Trip Summer 2024
  • Teton Raptor Center | Representing Every Raptor Species Through Taxidermy
  • The Mental Wellness Collaborative | Spanish Interpretation for Community Events
  • Voices Jackson Hole | Community Navigation for Immigrant Families
  • Wind River Community Alliance | Wind River Indian Reservation Community Dancers, Drummers, Singers Performance and Community Gathering