The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is an inclusive, multi-award-winning secondary school program that grows compassionate communities by connecting youth to social issues, local charities, and philanthropy at a pivotal stage in their adolescence.

YPI is an active citizenship programme that raises awareness amongst young people about philanthropy and their local community. Each participating school each year, is responsible for directing a £3000 YPI Grant to a local charity through a unique programme of team work, research and competition. YPI Scotland is all about creativity, passion and supporting the issues young people care most about. Originating in Canada, YPI is now an international programme and, in 2017/18, will be delivered in partnership with 230 secondary schools from across Scotland. This represents in excess of 31,000 young people participating in YPI Scotland, with responsibility for directing £690,000 of YPI grants to small, local charities. The programme is principally funded and managed in Scotland by The Wood Foundation.

YPI at Boclair Academy

Pupils at Boclair work in small teams to research the needs of their local community and identify a local charity they believe is best placed to make a positive contribution. They then carry out research to learn more about the charity’s management, budget, strategy and staffing arrangements.

Students meet and build relationships with their chosen charity and then present on the reasons their proposed charity is most deserving of support. The team judged to have made the most compelling and thorough presentation at Boclair wins a £3000 grant to award to their charity.

During the process, students develop a range of transferable skills for life, learning and work including teamwork, communication and presentation skills, as well as raising awareness of their chosen charity within Boclair Academy and the local community.