HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Youth Philanthropy Council of Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded $3,000 in grants at a ceremony Sunday at the Hutchinson Art Center.
Led by 19 high school students from across Reno County, the Youth Philanthropy Council is a grant-making program designed to involve area students in philanthropy: the practice of giving money, time and talents to help make life better for other people. This year’s group began meeting in November 2019 to discuss local issues of concern to youth, learn about grant-making and award grants to youth-serving organizations.
The grants are awarded from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund, established by the Dillon family to honor Dick Dillon for his extensive philanthropic work in the community.
The following grants were given Sunday afternoon:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson: $550 for “Torch Club Statehouse Tour,” a project to help send sixth-graders at the Avenue A Torch Club to tour the state capitol and attend the 2020 Kansas Youth of the Year competition.
Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas: $680 for “Girls on the Run-Nickerson” to help fund the research-based after-school program that integrates running into a focus on girls’ emotional and physical health.
Prairie Independent Living Resource Center (PILR): $600 for “Working with My Disability,” which will help fund a presentation from speaker David Powell to students with disabilities, parents, educators and the community.
Pretty Prairie Grade School: $750 for “Tree House Platform Gathering Area,” part of an outdoor classroom project intended to create a space for storytime or small group work or as a stage or art space, among other flexible uses.
Reno County 4-H: $420 for “Community Youth Conversations-Your Voice Counts,” a youth-led community forum program for students in grades seven through 12.
Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, collaboration and innovative leadership to strengthen Reno County communities. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $70 million to organizations.