Elmhurst Student Philanthropy Council
—Elmhurst, Illinois—

The Elmhurst Student Philanthropy Council was established in 2022 to build off natural excitement within the community for the inclusion of their youth population in philanthropic activities. It is filled with a tight-knit group of high school students who represent a tight-knit and enthusiastic community.

This program came together incredibly quickly, pushed into implementation by just a few incredibly excited community members. One of the first supporters of the program in the community heard about it and immediately decided to write one of the founding gifts while wishing to remain anonymous, saying, “this is a program we need in this community, and I want to make it happen”.

Immediately engaging thirteen students from three local high schools, they conducted their first round of grantmaking last year and will be able to continue the momentum into this year, while adding fundraising efforts as well.

As a York Community High School alumnus, I am especially interested in the positive impact the Three Pillars Initiative will have on the Elmhurst community.
— Jake Meding, ESPC Senior Cohort Program Coordinator