Students give $3,000 in grants to six local charities through philanthropy program

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Posted December 1, 2021 | By Ocala Gazette Staff

Six awards of $500 each were gifted to six local charities in celebration of the Adam Hanson Youth Philanthropy in Action (YPIA) program at four local schools, announced the Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County on Dec. 1.

The students presented checks during their concluding classes earlier this month. Since 2012, more than 1,100 students have received the YPIA curriculum in public and private middle schools throughout Marion County with more than $25,000 in grants given to nonprofits.

Students at Fort McCoy School, Howard Middle, Belleview Middle and North Marion Middle received six weeks of instruction about philanthropy, the community and how to put their efforts into action. Members of the Nonprofit Business Council (NPBC) taught the classes this fall.

The VFW Veteran’s Village received Fort McCoy’s award. In two classes at Howard Middle, First Step Food Bank and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County were awarded, respectively. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) received a grant from North Marion Middle, and Belleview Middle Schools’ two classes awarded Brother’s Keeper and Hands of Mercy Everywhere.

For more information about YPIA, visit www.ocalafoundation.org/YPIA.