NORWICH – The Norwich High School Youth Philanthropy Council is a foundation at Norwich High School comprised of 10 upperclassmen. During the fall semester, students completed a non-credit course taught by community leaders in the fields of non-profit organizations, foundations and grant making. The Council, now in its second year, was developed and supported through the collaborative efforts of the Upstate Institute at Colgate University, Chenango United Way, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, and Norwich High School. In 2010, the YPC will distribute a total of $10,000 to not-for-profit agencies in Chenango County. The money being granted by the Youth Philanthropy Council was donated by Chenango United Way, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, and NBT Bank.

The Youth Philanthropy Council is now seeing proposals from non-profit organizations looking to break the cycle of poverty in Chenango County by providing education to low income families. The hope for funding is to prepare families to sustain themselves in the future rather than provide immediate relief?in essence, to help families help themselves. Proposals should reflect a careful rationale for the project. Grant applications will be accepted for requests up to $5,000, but full funding may not be available. Programs that received YPC funding in 2009 are not eligible to apply for funds in 2010.

Types of initiatives to be supported include (but are not limited to):

• New or existing programs that have been operating for 3 years or less