YOUTHadelphia grant recipients include five nonprofits serving young adults throughout the city

Last month, Philadelphia Foundation announced that its youth-in-philanthropy program, “YOUTHadelphia,” has awarded $50,000 in grants to five Philadelphia nonprofits (ACHIEVEability, As I Plant This Seed, Imani Star Development, OrdinarIE Heroes, and The Mastermind Cooperative) addressing pressing issues for Philadelphia’s youth. To celebrate, participating students, grantees, and staff gathered for a closing reception, during which students delivered brief speeches highlighting their YOUTHadelphia experience and why they chose their respective grantees.

Established in 2004 as part of the Fund for Children, YOUTHadelphia represents a unique partnership born from stadium lease agreements between the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles teams. The Fund for Children’s annual investments support programs to improve the quality of life for children and youth in Philadelphia, with YOUTHadelphia serving as the Philadelphia Foundation’s youth-in-philanthropy program. Over the past two decades, YOUTHadelphia has invested over $1 million in youth-led programs and projects throughout the city, empowering Philadelphia teens to build leadership skills through hands-on philanthropic work.

“The YOUTHadelphia program is shaping the next generation of philanthropic leaders right here in Philadelphia,” said Phil Fitzgerald, Chief Impact Officer, Philadelphia Foundation. “By equipping young people with the resources and strategies they need to understand how philanthropy impacts their community, we’re empowering them to make meaningful change now and throughout their lives.”

The grants awarded through YOUTHadelphia this year support youth leadership development programs that incorporate social and political themes into their curriculum, helping young people build the skills to become decision-makers and action-oriented social problem solvers.

This year’s cohort brought together 12 Philadelphia public high school students ages 14-18 from Academy at Palumbo, Olney High School, Sayre High School, and West Philadelphia High School, and was managed by PhillyBOLT.

“This program is important because it allows you to help other nonprofit organizations,” said Jaiden Thompson, a student from West Philadelphia High School. “It also helps you learn that you have to make important decisions in life. It showed me how much of an impact I could make at a young age while also helping me learn about the decisions I want to make in the future.”

“Our students didn’t just learn about philanthropy, they became philanthropists themselves, making thoughtful decisions about where resources could create the most impact in their communities,” said Hillary Do, Executive Director of PhillyBOLT. ” When we trust young people with real power and responsibility, they don’t just meet our expectations, they redefine what’s possible – bringing us closer to a future where every neighborhood is thriving, led by the people living there.”

2025 Grantees

ACHIEVEability received funding for its 60th Street Strong program, which supports youth leadership, professional development, and community building in West Philadelphia neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by gun violence.

As I Plant This Seed received support for its Talk to Me program, a youth-led mentorship and leadership series focused on healing from trauma, identity development, and breaking generational cycles through creative expression and dialogue.

Imani Star Development received funding for WE EXPRESS US THROUGH ARTS PROGRAM (WEUTAP), which uses arts-based workshops to teach life skills, promote civic engagement, and prevent violence through peer support and community connection.

OrdinarIE Heroes received support for its Inspire Program, a year-round youth leadership development initiative focused on mental health, college and career readiness, and creative expression, with youth stipends for participation and leadership.

The Mastermind Cooperative received funding for its MasterMind Academy & Young Sister’s Circle programs, which provide trauma-informed, empowerment-based programming integrating mindfulness, financial literacy, cultural identity, and restorative practices for youth ages 2–17.

About Philadelphia Foundation

Philadelphia Foundation is one of the country’s first publicly supported community foundations and the largest devoted to improving lives in Greater Philadelphia. For over a century, community members, civic and business sector leaders, and nonprofit organizations have turned to us for partnership and collaboration in responding to community needs and creating opportunities for impact. In our work as a civic catalyst, trusted partner, and strategic problem-solver, we seek to strengthen the economic, social, and civic vitality of the region. Our philosophy is that providing civic and community leadership is necessary for effective philanthropic leadership. For more information, visit www.philafound.org.