2025-26 YIP Program Overview

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Students in grades 3–12 had an exciting opportunity once again this year to be the spark that makes their community better! The Youth Inspired Philanthropy (YIP) program, sponsored by the Keith County Foundation Fund, recently hosted its annual event where students showcased a wide variety of projects demonstrating the many ways youth can make a positive impact. Participants were encouraged to use their creativity, compassion, and love for their community to design projects that create real, meaningful change. Now in its 6th year, this philanthropic program continues to give students the financial means—and the confidence—to learn they can truly make a difference in their school and community.

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The following entries were selected for 2025-2026.  Each group or individual has until September 2026 to complete their project.  Congratulations to these students for making a difference in their community!

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Indoor Recess Cart – Joslyn Korth and Sayler Towell, like all kids, love recess!  But sometimes you have to stay inside for recess because of the weather.  Games and activities are limited, and they wear out, so these two third-grade girls thought it would be good to create a cart with games, art supplies, and activities that the teachers and kids could utilize on those indoor recess days.  They spent several weeks surveying students in grades K-5 to find out what they would like to see included on these carts.  They also surveyed the teachers and with that information, they developed a list of supplies.  Once assembled, they will let the students know what is available for those rainy, snowy days.  These girls may have a fundraiser later this year to generate more funds for added supplies in the future.

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Prairie View One Book, One School – Mrs. Orth and a group of her fourth graders have chosen to inspire others by launching a school-wide reading project that will include all elementary students from Pre-K through 5th grade. Every student will share a common experience by reading the same book and participating in an exciting kickoff activity. Each child will receive a copy of the book to read at home, helping to build connections between school and family. The project will conclude with a special activity based on the book for all students. This initiative aims to strengthen community, foster a love of reading, and build a culture of confidence throughout our school.  (Carly Wyrick, Will Fehr, Donovan Kling, Abel Wieseler, Taylor Leibhart, and Andersyn Wilson)

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FISH ON – Gavin Hanson, a third grader from St. Luke’s School, has spent many days fishing with his family and wants to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with other kids. Next spring, Gavin and his family will host a fishing event at Humphrey’s Pond where kids and their families can come and “fish on.” The event will be open to students in grades K–5, accompanied by an adult. Each child—up to 35 participants—will receive a fishing rod with simple gear to use. During this one-day event, kids will have the chance to experience the joy and excitement of fishing! Gavin hopes that this opportunity will inspire other children to discover a lifelong hobby that is fun, rewarding, and something the whole family can enjoy together.

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Rockin’ With My Book – Kaleena Schmittler recognized a need in the Prairie View Library for updated seating and more diverse reading options. Promoting the importance of reading is nothing new for Kaleena—she has offered several YIP opportunities over the past few years, all with the goal of encouraging kids to read. With this project, she will add new flexible seating of various types to the library and create a video to show all students in PreK–8th grade. The video will demonstrate how to properly use the new seating while also advocating that reading is important—and FUN!

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Bags of Bravery – Kaleena Schmittler and Ava Nordhausen wanted to honor our brave First Responders in Keith County.  They want these men and women who give of their time and expertise to know that they are appreciated and are so very important to the citizens in our county.  They will be surveying each responder to gather information used to create bags of supplies for each of them.  They want to let them know they are valued.

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Book Bins – Books that travel from school to home and back can easily get lost! Sometimes kids simply need a safe, clean, and secure place to keep their books. This project aims to provide each Prairie View preschooler—and about 30 additional K–3 students—with a sturdy storage container they can take home. Plastic totes will be purchased, decorated, and labeled with the words “Book Bin” by Mrs. Orth’s 4th grade students. Once completed, the fourth graders will gift these bins, along with a new book, to the designated children. This project will help students develop responsibility, keep their books protected, and encourage a love of reading both at school and at home. (Hank Kempton, Lillie Mungia, Dahlia Roberts, Hayden Cudaback, Elizabeth Troy, Hudson Johnson, Bowyn Armknecht, Isabelle Gayle, Luis Ramirez Macias and Michael Leibhart )

Reading Buddies

 

Part 3 – Kailey Carlson loves reading with her mom and sees the importance of that interaction, while enjoying good books together.  This is the 3rd year that Kailey has participated in YIP with the Reading Buddy program.  Each year Kailey has taken it to a new level, with a different twist.  This year, Kailey will visit with the Head Start families on one of their family nights to encourage parents to read with their kids and to teach of the importance of that family reading time.  Children will receive a bag to decorate, a new book and they will choose a Reading Buddy.