Youth Philanthropy Initiative

Youth Philanthropy Initiative awards $30,000 in grants

After 20 weeks of learning about the grantmaking process and interviewing representatives from several nonprofit groups, students in the Oxbridge Academy/Town of Palm Beach United Way Youth Philanthropy Initiative announced grant recipients during the Grant Finale event on March 12 at Oxbridge Academy.

Adopt-A-Family | REACH: Emergency Family Shelter | $8,000

Faulk Center for Counseling | School Prevention | $8,000

Vita Nova | The Sleep Spot | $7,500

Achievement Centers | Teen Program | $6,500

A pilot program launched in October 2025; The Youth Philanthropy Initiative chose twelve select students in grades 9-12 to participate. Meeting weekly on campus, the students honed skills in financial literacy, nonprofit leadership, grantmaking, and collaborative decision-making through experiential learning, with the goal of empowering them to lead, learn, and give back.

During the months of in-person, immersive learning in philanthropy, social impact, and grantmaking, the students researched community needs and evaluated local nonprofits, selecting the organizations they felt would have the biggest impact in the services they provide.

Photos by CAPEHART

About the Youth Philanthropy Initiative

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative at Oxbridge is an 18-week, in-person course designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of philanthropy, social impact, and effective charitable giving. Throughout the program, students assess community needs, evaluate local nonprofits, and allocate $25,000 in grants to five organizations that support Palm Beach County. The initiative is generously funded by Susan and Bob Wright.

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