Three local high school graduates receive Youth in Philanthropy Scholarships

Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) is excited to announce the first-year recipients of the newly created BACF/United Way of Brandon Youth in Philanthropy Scholarship.

Amna Faroog, Vincent Massey High School, Natalie Williamson, École secondaire Neelin High School and Emma Wray, Vincent Massey High School have each been awarded a $500.00 scholarship. Through their hard work and determination, these three deserving recipients have proven to be students that BACF and the United Way of Brandon want to recognize and encourage to continue their educational and philanthropy efforts.

This scholarship was established to assist high school graduates who have been involved in their school’s YIP program for a minimum of three years. Recipients must have an acceptable academic standing, demonstrate positive character traits, are active in school and community activities and have been accepted into a recognized post-secondary institution. Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, École secondaire Neelin High School, Elton Collegiate and Vincent Massey High School participate in the BACF YIP program.

The YIP Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 2020 by numerous contributors including the United Way of Brandon, Tri-High Alumni Fund, BACF fundholders and anonymous donors.

“I’m thrilled that these three students are BACF’s first recipients of our new YIP scholarship,” states Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF. “These students are very deserving. With the career paths they have chosen for their future, they are going to help make a difference in our world. I would also like to thank all the donors that made this scholarship fund possible. The intent is to grow this scholarship fund, increase student involvement in their school’s youth in philanthropy program and award more scholarships to deserving students.”

The YIP program is a BACF program designed to introduce motivated youth to philanthropy and local community development.  This program gives the students hands-on experience working as a team and with local charitable organizations to help our communities thrive.

Each September, schools form their YIP committees.  Each committee receives grant monies from BACF and the United Way of Brandon & District, to grant to charities in our community.  The students research non-profit organizations that meet the BACF granting criteria and learn more about them by interviewing the people who work there.

Over the past 17 years, YIP students have awarded $167,000.00 in grants to numerous non-profit organizations throughout Brandon and the Westman area.  For more information on the 2021, YIP scholarship recipients visit www.bacf.ca