The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties announces its Forward Turn Youth Philanthropy Project provided $4,280 in mini-grants to four local nonprofit organizations to fund youth-led and youth-benefitting projects.

Forward Turn is youth-led charitable grantmaking program that takes a “forward turn” to benefit communities in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties.  In partnership with the Loudoun County Youth Advisory Council (YAC), student members of the YAC review grant applications submitted by youth who often work in partnership with local nonprofits, schools, or other organizations.  Funding is provided by the S. Murray and Mary H.C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project endowment fund of the Community Foundation.

High schoolers Yuvraj Chauhan, Aneesha Koninty, Kashvi Ramani, Smrithi Ramesh, Arjun Setty, Shivani Sukumar, and Hemant Velidi served on the Forward Turn Grants Committee. After learning about the grant proposal process, reviewing applications, and interviewing applicants, they recommended the following grants for the 2022 Forward Turn grant cycle:

  • $1,500 grant to PASTA (Peers and Students Taking Action) to support the creation of Passion Kits and to fund the Penne Pals Mentorship program;
  • $1,500 grant to Dulles South Food Pantry to support the Backpack Buddies program;
  • $780 grant to Dulles South Soup Kitchen to support the Community Direct Meal Distribution and Reoccurring Food Drop Off programs; and,
  • $500 grant to Loudoun Youth to support the Claude Moore Community Builders program.

“Forward Turn was an incredible way to interact with the community and nonprofits throughout the county,” said Kashvi Ramani, a tenth-grader at Rock Ridge High School and the Academies of Loudoun. “Being a fan of volunteering myself, I loved seeing how youth-led programs have skyrocketed in success. It was especially exciting to provide these growing organizations financial support!” Ramani serves on the YAC and the Loudoun Advisory Commission on Youth.

To learn more about Forward Turn and to see a list of past years’ recipients, visit: https://communityfoundationlf.org/forwardturn/.

About the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties

Founded in 1999 by local volunteers, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to accelerate community giving for common good in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has granted more than $11.8 million. Donors who include the Community Foundation in their philanthropic vision benefit from low fees, knowledgeable staff, and personal assurance that legal and accounting issues are managed under one cost-effective banner: the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. CommunityFoundationLF.org (703) 779-3505.  www.communityfoundationlf.org