The United Way of Tompkins County logo.

Youth Programming

The Youth and Philanthropy (YAP) Program empowers local 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students to take an active role in their community and understand the role of philanthropy in their lives. Participating students come together as grant reviewers to assess community needs and disperse $25,000 each year to organizations addressing those needs. Participants gain skills in consensus building, critical thinking, community needs assessment, and interview techniques.

Since 1999, YAP has been offered to Tompkins County, and now over 200 students from every school district in Tompkins County have participated in the United Way of Tompkins County’s Youth and Philanthropy Program.

“Usually, as a teenager, you would not expect to be able to deal with $25,000 and act as an adult. However, YAP was a student-centered program where all the decisions were made by teenagers. I learned that we can deal with important topics too!”

– Jisoo Ha, Past YAP Participant

 The YAP program is led by Rebekah Hinton, Director of Community Impact at United Way of Tompkins County.

Funding for the awarded grants is provided by a generous donation from Triad Foundation.

Interested in becoming part of the 2025 Fall YAP Program?

YAP is committed to the ideal that EVERYONE can be a philanthropist. We are looking for a diverse group of students with various passions, backgrounds, and skill sets to help make an impact in our community. Our staff and volunteers are excited to support a variety of students as they gain the tools and community insights needed to be part of the next generation of changemakers!

Important Information:

Sessions will be held at the United Way Office at 313 N. Aurora St in Ithaca, with a hybrid Zoom option available. 

Dinner is provided at every session

While we encourage in-person participation, accommodations for hybrid participation over Zoom will be offered.

Students must submit all required forms before attending their first session.

Consistent attendance is expected of all participants. Because program participants are making decisions that affect our community, we expect them to be present and involved at sessions, whether in person or virtually. The Award Ceremony is mandatory and must be attended in person.

Fall 2025 Schedule

  • Session 1: Monday, October 27, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 2: Wednesday, October 29, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 3: Monday, November 3, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 4: Wednesday, November 5, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 5: Monday, November 10, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 6: Wednesday, November 12, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 7: Monday, November 17, 5:15-7:30
  • Session 8: Wednesday, November 19, 5:15-7:30
  • Ceremony, Thursday, December 4, 4:30-6:30

To participate in YAP 2025, please visit the link below to complete the registration form and paperwork:

Youth and Philanthropy Student Registration Form

Focus On Community Understanding Service (FOCUS)

FOCUS is an extension of UWTC’s Youth and Philanthropy Program. UWTC staff and volunteers work with Dryden Middle and High School students on leadership and development activities, community needs assessments, and a competitive grant cycle for their rural town.

Interested in joining the FOCUS program?

Contact Linda Bruno, Dryden Jr/Sr High School, or Rebekah Hinton, UWTC.