The YSCF Youth Action Board is a diverse group of 6th-12th grade fearless thinking students who are passionate about solving community issues for youth and making the world a better place. The YSCF Youth Action Board is a student driven program with a five year proven track record of engaging students more deeply and profoundly in their own communities.

By catalyzing the natural energy and passion of youth, the YSCF Youth Action Board will provide a holistic leadership program that uses the philanthropic process to teach youth how to communicate, make decisions, foster their passions, and align their strengths. Our goal is to develop thriving young adults and authentic leaders. YSCF Youth Action Board members set the goals. They do the work. YSCF and community leaders will give them the support they need. As one YAB member stated, “I love that everything is real: real pitches, real businesses, real grants and real change.”

This extracurricular youth board will be engaged in 16 week sessions (Wednesdays 3:45-5:15pm, 1-1.5 hours in length, from September 2025 through February 2026) that take students through a  philanthropic & leadership process  of Leadership & Governance, Community Service, Fundraising, and Grantmaking. Participants will impact their community today while learning the skills to enact positive change in our world tomorrow. Now in our fifth year of the program will be facilitated by YSCF Outreach Manager, Melissa Heston and supported by YSCF Board and staff, area leaders, and impact partners. The YSCF Youth Action Board is a collaboration between the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, the Yellow Springs Schools, and community leaders.