In This Issue:

YPII News

 § 2008 YP Jam: Our Voice Rocks! Citizens in Action 

 § Local Communities Receive Resources through YP Ambassadors

Young Hoosier Philanthropist

 §  Ashleigh Holcomb

Tools & Resources

 §  Youth Engaged in Service Toolkit

 §  National Youth Philanthropy Clearinghouse

 §  Indiana Youth Financial Literacy Report 

Ways to Give & Serve

 §  Nestle Very Best in Youth Awards

 §  Disney Minnie Grants

 §  Open Meadows Civic Engagement Grants for Girls

YP Jam 2008: Our Voice Rocks! Citizens in Action
YP Jam 2008 takes place on the campus of Butler University on July 10-11.  The civic engagement-centered event will host more than 100 youth and adults involved in giving and serving.  Through workshops, service and social events, participants will build the skills and networks that allow them to become citizens in action.  Register Now 

For more information, contact Kiran Tahir at: ktahir@indianagrantmakers.org

Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council Awards Grants
The Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council awarded nearly $4,500 in grants to youth-related projects in the community at a recent grants dinner.  The money will support local organizations in promoting literacy, physical fitness, life skills, safety and entrepreneurship.  The Council is currently working to raise $10,000 as part of a YPII matching funds opportunity and will attend the Jam on July 10-11. 

For full details of the latest Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council funding cycle, visit: http://www.scottcountyfoundation.org/articles/2008YouthGrants.htm

Local Communities Receive Resources through YP Ambassadors
Great resources--both human and print--are available to local communities through the Ambassador program.  A northern Indiana orientation for potential Youth Philanthropy Ambassadors will be held on Friday, September 12 at 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The day-long event will be hosted by several active northern Ambassadors and held at the Allen County Public Library in Meeting Room A in Fort Wayne. 

YP Ambassadors serve local communities across Indiana to promote the concept of philanthropy among children, youth and young adults.  Thanks to our generous sponsors, this high quality event is available for a nominal fee of $20 per participant.   Along with a continental breakfast and lunch, participants will receive quality resources valued in excess of $1,000 to use in the local communities.  Ambassadors must be interested in and committed to advancing giving and serving for the common good.  For more information about the Ambassadors program, to recommend a participant, or register for this event, visit: http://www.ypin.org

Young Hoosier Philanthropist: Ashleigh Holcomb
Ashleigh Holcomb, recipient of a 2008 Gold Acorn award from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, was nominated for the honor by the Youth Philanthropy Council of Floyd County.  Ashleigh has been an active member and leader in the Council for three years.  She is also a participant in many activities in her school and community.  Ashleigh has participated in Be a Better Bulldog, served as president of the Key Club, donated blood to the Red Cross, volunteered as a mentor and tutor at Children's Academy, worked at the Louisville Marathon and dedicated time to St. Mary's church in New Albany.  Congratulations, Ashleigh!

Left: Elizabeth Baxter, chief financial officer for the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, shares a smile with Ashleigh Holcomb.  Photo by Ralph Homan.

Youth Engaged in Service Toolkit
The Youth Engaged in Service toolkit was created to expand the meaningful youth development and service opportunities available to young people.  Whether readers are starting a new program or want to add to what they already do, the toolkit can help them introduce youth from all walks of life to the personal growth and empowerment that comes from serving others.  Content categories include why it's important to engage youth in service, how to start and sustain a program, tools to help the program run smoothly and examples of how organizations are engaging youth.  The toolkit is available online at:
http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/yes

National Youth Philanthropy Clearinghouse
A new Web site hoping to become a one-stop-shop for all things youth philanthropy has been created by Grand Valley State University's Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.  The site will include links for youth philanthropy programs, youth grantmakers and legislative and public policy information.  Resources will be organized by areas of interest such as education, service learning, professional development and volunteering.  Check it out at: http://yip.npgoodpractice.org

Indiana Youth Financial Literacy Report
Indiana Youth Institute's Issue Alert "From Birth to Bankruptcy - Teaching dollars and sense to Hoosier kids" examines the financial literacy levels among Indiana youth and offers recommendations and resources to help advance their money management skills. The alert is a practical reference to encourage financial literacy skills in children of all ages.  To read the report, visit: http://www.iyi.org/reports/issue-alerts.aspx

Nestle Very Best in Youth Awards
Created to spotlight the best in youth leadership, the Very Best in Youth program identifies teens whose efforts are making a profound impact in lives other than their own.  Award recipients are passionately committed to community service and academic achievement.  Their conviction and steadfastness are rewarded with a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice, a trip to Los Angeles for the Very Best in Youth awards ceremony, a feature in the Nestle Very Best in Youth book series, a certificate of achievement and samples of Nestle products.  To learn more or nominate a worthy teen, visit: http://www.nestle-verybestinyouth.com

Disney Minnie Grants
Youth Service America and Disney are pleased to launch a second round of Disney Minnie Grants to engage children and youth, ages 5-14, as community volunteers.  The selected applications will receive $500 to support their youth service projects.  The deadline is August 30 and projects must take place October 15-November 15, 2008.  For more information and application materials, visit: http://www.ysa.org/awards

Open Meadows Civic Engagement Grants for Girls
Open Meadows Foundation is a grantmaking organization for projects that are led by and benefit women and girls.  Offering grants up to $2,000, Open Meadows funds projects that promote building community power and achieving racial, social, economic and environmental justice.  The next deadline for submitting proposals is August 15.  For more information, visit:  http://www.openmeadows.org