About Us

The Young Philanthropists Foundation (YPF) was founded in 2003 by Denver-native Alexis Boian, who sought to build an organization that would empower Colorado’s youngest citizens with the responsibility to make a difference in their communities. Recognizing the transformative power of engaging youth as active community stewards, YPF’s programs are designed to show young people that they have the ability to change the world by introducing them to the power of philanthropy and service during their formative years. YPF believes that participation in philanthropy is fundamental to the health of the community; philanthropic education is most effective if it begins at a young age; and a hands-on approach is the best way to teach children about philanthropy. In the fall of 2007, YPF launched the nationally acclaimed Penny Harvest program in 15 elementary and middle schools in Colorado. By 2011, the program had grown to engage more than 80 volunteer teachers and 15,000 students at 43 schools across the Front Range. Together they collected $61,000 in pennies, awarded 150 unique grants, and contributed 175,000 service hours in their neighborhoods. Today, YPF offers the Penny Harvest program, a youth-led servant leadership program called Impact Factory, and Family Volunteer Days, which engage Colorado’s youth and their families in community-based service projects.

To see our foundation in action, please watch the video below!