New program, Teens Active in Grantmaking, aims to empower teens to make difference

QUINCY — Quincy teens will soon have the opportunity to experience philanthropy first-hand through a new program offered by the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri and supported by the Tracy Family Foundation.

Through Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG), high school students will learn about their community, the issues that impact their peers and the nonprofits that address those issues before leading a grant program.

The program will launch its inaugural program year for the 2025-26 school year and seeks to educate and empower teens to make a difference through grantmaking, philanthropy and community impact. It will achieve this through monthly meetings, volunteer opportunities and by funding nonprofit projects that are uplifting local young people.

“TAG is all about putting the power of philanthropy in the hands of the next generation. We’re here to help young leaders learn the ropes of grantmaking, understand how nonprofits change the world and discover the incredible opportunities in the world of giving,” Bailee Duesterhaus, Community Foundation Program Manager and TAG coordinator, said in a press release. “We like to think of TAG as a backstage pass to making a real impact in the community.”

TAG will provide high school students with experiences that strengthen their leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. Participants will learn about community engagement, nonprofit organizations and grantmaking, preparing them for future roles as civic-minded leaders.

“Youth can – and should – have a voice in improving their community,” Community Foundation CEO Catherine Bocke Meckes said. “Teens will see firsthand the issues and opportunities that they and their peers face. TAG gives them the tools and resources to make a difference.”

“Through our Youth Focus Area, we aim to nurture strong, healthy, resilient youth throughout West Central Illinois by connecting them with a variety of resources, opportunities and experiences,” said Megan Costigan, Tracy Family Foundation program manager and chair of the TAG advisory committee. “We are excited to partner with the Community Foundation to support TAG. This new program is an excellent chance for high school students in Adams County to learn about philanthropy and make a meaningful impact in our community.”

The TAG program is open to Quincy high school students ages 14-18. Applications will open July 1 and will be accepted through Sept. 1. Selected participants will be notified in early September, and monthly meetings will take place from September through May.

Applications for the TAG program will be available at www.mycommunityfoundation.org/tag. People interested in participating can submit an interest form at the same link to be notified of TAG program updates and when the application opens.

Questions? Email tag@mycommunityfoundation.org or call 217-222-1237.

Teens Active in Grantmaking was established to promote positive youth development and engage young people in meaningful activities that build their leadership skills while educating them about community-based philanthropy. For more information, visit www.mycommunityfoundation.org/tag or find TAG on Instagram at @teensactiveingrantmaking.

Since its founding in 1997, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $20 million in grants from 250 funds to advance arts and culture, community betterment, education, health and human services. For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.