Ocala, FL – (April 28, 2021) The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County and NonProfit Business Council awarded a total of $2,500 as part of the Youth Philanthropy in Action (YPIA) program.
In spring 2021, two Marion County schools participated: Belleview Middle School (BMS) and Osceola Middle School (OMS). OMS also participated in YPIA in the spring of 2020 when COVID-19 school closures abruptly altered the program delivery.
This year, between the two schools, three classes were held face-to-face while two classes were virtual through MCPS online. School board members Allison B. Campbell and Beth McCall, as members of the NPBC, taught face-to-face classes, while other NPBC members volunteered to teach virtual classes.
The local nonprofit organizations chosen by YPIA students were the Forest Animal Rescue and Salvation Army (BMS), Interfaith Emergency Services, the Humane Society of Marion County, and the Ocala Domestic Violence Shelter. Each nonprofit received a $500 grant.
YPIA teaches students throughout Marion County the history of philanthropy, the differences in the for-profit, government and nonprofit sectors, and the benefits of charitable giving. Meeting for six class periods, members of the NPBC engage with students about how to turn their passions and interests into difference making within the community.
Students from each class break into groups and create a presentation advocating for a local nonprofit they wish to support. After each group presents, the class votes on which organization made the strongest case, and the winning organization receives a a surprise $500 grant from the Community Foundation.
Since YPIA’s inception in 2012, nearly 1,000 students have participated, and the Community Foundation has granted more than $23,000 to local nonprofits as a result of the program.
Click here to read more about YPIA.
