An Education in Giving Back

This story is part of our Transforming Together series, which highlights 20 key moments in our Foundation’s first 20 years. Read more stories in the series.

Jenna Manders got her start working in the field of community philanthropy when she was just in high school. As a sophomore in Dubuque, she joined the Community Foundation’s youth philanthropist program, YAPPERS, which led to many years working for the Foundation itself.

“My time in the program was very formative in my career path,” says Manders, who now works for the Iowa Council of Foundations. “It helped me learn many skills during a productive time, yet it was a casual, little-pressure atmosphere that allowed me to make mistakes and grow.”

Since 2006, the YAPPERS program has drawn students from Wahlert Catholic, Hempstead and Senior high schools. What began with only a couple of teen participants has grown to include 20 to 30 participants annually — many of whom continue year after year until graduation.

Through the program, the Community Foundation teaches youth about philanthropy, acts of service to help the community thrive and be a positive space for everyone. YAPPERS members learn the ropes to become leaders in the future.

“YAPPERS is a great way to learn about social issues and address them through service projects and fundraising,” says Saanvi Ram, a YAPPERS participant from Hempstead High School.

Each year, teens in the program organize several fundraisers, which support annual grants to local nonprofits addressing issues impacting youths.

“One of the ways we’ve done this is by holding a You-Give, We-Give program, where volunteer hours were put in for every donation we received,” says YAPPERS participant Shreya Ravada, also from Hempstead.

Organizations and programs like Crescent Community Health Center, Hills & Dales, iJAG, Almost Home Dubuque, the Riverview Center, the Dubuque Community School District and the Red Basket Project have received grants from the YAPPERS. To date, program participants have raised more than $85,000 for local nonprofits.

“YAPPERS is an awesome way to get involved in the community and learn about the many nonprofits working tirelessly to serve Dubuque’s citizens,” says Emily Rollins, director of philanthropy at the Community Foundation, who oversees the YAPPERS program. “By working together to fundraise and make decisions about grants, participants are learning a lot and making an impact at the same time.”