Photo: Ready Readers

YEP STL!

“YEP STL! (Youth Engaged in Philanthropy) is a program led by high school students striving to make a substantial impact on the Greater St. Louis area by evaluating and providing grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations that share our vision.”  ~YEP STL! Students

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Fiscal Sponsor


“First Bank is committed to helping young people succeed in life, and we believe the YEP STL! program will offer students a unique opportunity to learn skills that they can utilize for the rest of their lives.”
~ Shelley Seifert

YEP STL! FAQs

How it Works

YEP STL! members work together as a team to give grant money to youth charities. We work with mentors who show us how the process works. We develop a grant application and charities apply for grant money. Then we review their applications, and decide which charities we think should get funds, and how much.

If you are a high school student in the St. Louis Metro Area interested in participating in YEP STL!, please contact Allison McDonald.

Who Supplies the Grant Funds?

We’re not giving our own money away, but you are always welcome to donate if you wish! First Bank is the presenting sponsor for the YEP STL! program, and provides the funding. YouthBridge Community Foundation will serve as a mentor and advisor to the students participating in the program.

The goal of the program is for students to see what needs there are in our community, what charities are doing to address those needs, and make decisions about how grant money should be given, so that it does the most good.

Charities We Support

YEP STL! is for youth by youth – so all of our grants will be to charities that help youth. Here are some examples:

  • Educational organizations
  • Youth summer camps
  • Boys and girls clubs
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Athletic organizations
  • Reading programs
  • Art programs

View list of past grant recipients →

Your Time Commitment

Once you’re accepted into the program, you’ll meet once a month with the whole team and our mentors. We’ll review the grant applications, and discuss to decide how to distribute the grant money, and present it to the charities. There is also the possibility for community service projects, which are always fun!

Selected YEP STL! Stories