Youth Programming at The Fund

The Fund offers two youth programs that provide education and leadership training to local high school students in 10th-12th grades. GAB (Girls+ Advisory Board) and CivicG+ are free programs that educate and provide skills in the areas of philanthropy and advocacy.

GAB (Girls+ Advisory Board)

A nationally recognized grantmaking program, the Girls+ Advisory Board (GAB) provides local high school students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade with an opportunity to learn firsthand about the deep and varied needs in their communities and equip themselves with the skills needed to address them.

Over the past 20 years, GAB has awarded over $320,000 to agencies that target the needs of women and girls through innovative services to tackle issues like poverty, violence, homelessness, mental illness, teen pregnancy and substance abuse. As a member of GAB, you will:

  • Learn about philanthropy and giving back to your community
  • Make new friends from different schools and communities in Chester County
  • Discuss pressing social issues with your peers
  • Meet non-profits doing “boots-on-the-ground” work for women and girls
  • Collaborate with peers to fund up to $20,000 to local organizations through strategic grantmaking
  • Participate in community service activities
  • Get to know influential women in your community

Learn more about our 2023-2024 GAB Grantee Partners.

CivicG+

CivicG+ is a civic engagement program that provides local high school girls and gender expansive students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade with an opportunity to learn firsthand about civics, government, advocacy, policy and leadership. As a member of CivicG+, you will:

  • Work with peers to develop and lead advocacy campaigns
  • Make new friends from different schools and communities in Chester County
  • Meet local and state elected officials
  • Get to know influential women in your community
  • Participate in service projects 
Formerly GirlGov Chester County, CivicG+ is The Fund’s youth advocacy program. Teaching advocacy and empowering youth to facilitate change in Chester County and beyond, the CivicG+ program will encourage, educate, and support participants in creating and achieving goals related to advocacy for issues that affect women and girls.  

Both youth programs are free for participants, and accepted students may participate in these programs for a total of two years. Please contact info@thefundcc.org with any questions about these programs.

 

Are you an alumnus of GAB or CivicG+ (GirlGov Chester County)?

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Tell us how your GAB or CivicG+ experience impacted you!

 

Learn More About Our Youth Programming!

Advocacy in Action Summit

In February 2024, The Fund for Women and Girls convened 35 middle and high school youth from five nonprofit organizations located throughout Chester County to present to the Governor’s Advisory Commissions on Women and Next Generation Engagement. Read more about the pressing issues that these youth highlighted.

Empowering The Next Generation of Changemakers

In December 2023, members of CivicG+ attended a meeting of the West Chester Area School District School Board to understand the intricacies of decision-making and to decipher the mechanisms behind the governance of their school district, something that impacts them every day.  Discover how CivicG+ participants are getting involved in making change.

The Power of Connection: Speed Networking with Community Leaders

On Saturday, October 14th, The Fund’s Girls Advisory Board and CivicG+ programs brought together 28 aspiring young minds for an engaging speed networking event. These enthusiastic high schoolers had the unique opportunity to interact with accomplished professional women from various sectors, offering them a sneak peek into the world of business and nonprofit leadership.  Learn more about this great professional development experience!