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Young Leaders in Philanthropy
Young Leaders in Philanthropy (YLP), founded in early 2009, is a group of leading professionals in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s, with an interest in philanthropic engagement. The group works under the auspices of United Way of the Capital Area and is committed to creating a tangible, lasting, and positive change in Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties. YLP’s strategic priorities are not only providing educational and asset building opportunities that create pathways to prosperity for families and communities, but also embedded in giving, professional networking, volunteer projects, and leadership development.
YLP is dedicated to financial commitments supporting programs and services offered through United Way of the Capital Area; building the membership of the organization to maximize leadership potential and possibilities within the tri-county area; promoting volunteerism in the counties of Hinds, Madison and Rankin Mississippi; and working closely with elected officials, business and community leaders, civic organizations and other key stakeholders.
By promoting leadership development and professional networking activities through quarterly “lunch and learns” and other activities, YLP is committed to developing a new generation of leader. Last November, YLP sponsored its first Emerging Leaders Conference, bringing together professionals from various sectors and young leaders from across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Members of YLP are very engaged, avid volunteers and strongly support programs sponsored by United Way of the Capital Area. The organization’s impressive community engagement portfolio includes: Soap for Hope and Labor of Love, both tri-county supply drives; free tax preparation assistance for building family wealth; sorting and organizing donated clothing at the Center for Violence Prevention; United Way’s National Day of Action; and much more. Currently, YLP is tackling early childhood literacy by partnering with United Way of the Capital Area and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as its signature community project. Imagination Library is a nationwide, early childhood education and literacy initiative that provides brand new, hardbound and high-quality books from infancy to five years old free of charge to families. Program enrollment is free; however, children must reside in the 39202 (Hinds), 39145 (Rankin), and 39046 (Madison) zip codes. Once enrolled, children will begin receiving free books monthly until their 5th birthday.
Among the groups many activities, YLP hosts two major fundraisers each year for Imagination Library: “Rock, Paper, Scissor” competition held in the spring; and “spellBOUND SPELLdown” Spelling Bee Challenge held in the fall.
YLP’s volunteer 100% of their time to this organization while working full-time, taking care of their families and attending graduate and professional school. YLP’s are dedicated to creating a positive change within their communities. For more information, contact info@youngleadersinphilanthropy.com.
