Youth In Philanthropy
Impacting Youth
The Okoboji Foundation launched the Youth In Philanthropy program in 2010 to inspire philanthropy among local students and teach them the importance of supporting their community. Each year, students in grades 9–12 from Harris-Lake Park, Okoboji, and Spirit Lake are chosen through a competitive application process to participate. Meeting regularly from October through May students learn about how philanthropy drives a community to thrive, how to solicit donations, and how to read, score, and grant dollars to area nonprofits to make an impact.
raise funds
assess community needs
evaluate grant requests
Since 2010
OUR STUDENTS HAVE MADE AN IMPACT
$891K +
RAISED
$742K +
GRANTED
240 +
STUDENT ALMUMNI
2026
YIP GRANTEES
$40,000
Permanent Memorial Project
Veterans Memorial of Dickinson County
$35,000
Outdoor Patio and Stage Project
Iowa Rock 'N Roll
$35,000
Preserving the Portal Project
Dickinson County Museum
$11,000
Lobby Refresh Project
Lakes Area Hockey Association
2025 - 2026 Youth In Philanthropy Team
First Row L-R: Riley Meyer, Karna Droegmiller, Nora Conover, Ada Conover, Gemma Tamisiea, Jada Vander Wolde, Sydney Rahe, Luka Martin, Reece Logan, Addison Munson, Summer Stoller
Second Row L-R: Elah Brouwer, Ella Kasperbauer, Bethany Frostestad, Peyton Bosch, Cadence Carlson, Isla Nelson, Cecelia Harris, Anabel Sinz, Elanor Sinz, Anthea Leupold, Norah Danbom
Third Row L-R: Cruz Nitchals, Ethan Weston, Calan Peters, Dexter Peters, Trey Vander Pol, Jacob Neuharth, Colton Johnson, Wesley Evans, Asher Wipperfurth, Cruz Naatjes, Cole Donnenwerth, Beckett Rahe