Fort Bend County high school juniors and seniors can apply now for a program that lets students help direct tens of thousands of dollars in grant funding to local nonprofits.
The George Foundation's Youth in Philanthropy program, known as YIP, is accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year. Admission is competitive. Space is limited.
Fort Bend ISD promoted the application opening on Saturday, Aug. 22, encouraging students at district schools including Ridge Point, Elkins and Marshall high schools to apply. Students at Stafford High School are also eligible.
What YIP students do
The program runs six months. Participants work six Saturdays alongside local nonprofits, collaborate with peers from across the county and help decide how grant money gets distributed to community organizations.
In the most recent cohort, the program's 28th year, 180 students from 26 Fort Bend County high schools awarded $88,000 in grants to 39 nonprofits they had worked with during the program.
YIP participants can also apply for community-funded scholarships available exclusively to program members.
How to apply
The deadline is Friday, Sept. 4, at 11:59 p.m. The George Foundation initially listed an Aug. 31 deadline on its Facebook page, but two school sources, including Fort Bend ISD, list Sept. 4 as the cutoff. Students should confirm at the foundation's website.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be a high school junior or senior
- Reside in Fort Bend County
- Be in good standing with their high school
- Have parent or guardian consent
Applications are available at thegeorgefoundation.org/students/youth-in-philanthropy-yip. Selected students begin the six-month program during the 2026-27 school year.
