PBnJ youth philanthropists award nearly $2,500 to seven local projects
Local teen members of the Philanthropy Board in Jackson County (PBnJ) are pleased to announce the recipients of group’s 2021 grants. PBnJ grants help youth-serving organizations strengthen and grow their programs.
“PBnJ is a group of high school students who come together to make a positive difference for people in their community,” says Renee Hartung, who just completed her junior year at Easton Valley. “Awarding these grants opens our eyes to many needs in our community we didn’t even know about and makes a lasting impact.” Hartung and other PBnJ members reviewed applications online and then discussed them as a group before making award decisions. “All the applicants were really great organizations who could use the support. We chose the ones we thought would be the most impactful county-wide.”
Students awarded $2,491.93 in grants to:
- Bellevue Community School District — $250 for Bellevue BIG All Sports Camp
- Bellevue Community School District — $500 for Bellevue BIG life jacket loaner program
- Bellevue Iowa Youth Soccer, Inc. — $250 for safety precautions and engagement program
- Child Development, Inc. — $491.93 for the Fill the Shed initiative
- Friends of Jackson County Conservation — $500 for kayaks for paddling programs
- Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading — $250 for books to go with beds
- Maquoketa Area Family YMCA — $250 to support free swimming lessons for youth in need
PBnJ’s mission is to empower youth to improve the quality of life where they live through giving and leadership. Through its grantmaking process, PBnJ engages and empowers young people throughout the community.
PBnJ is made up of 23 students from all five high schools in Jackson County, and is overseen by the Community Foundation of Jackson County as well as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Students learn about philanthropy, grant writing, community service and how to assess community needs, while also studying Jackson County nonprofits.