Centre PACT Teens Award Over $12,900 in Grants to Local Nonprofits Supporting Youth
State College, PA – Centre PACT (Philanthropic Actions Created by Teens) is Centre Foundation’s hands-on philanthropy program for high school students in Centre County. Throughout the school year, student members identify pressing issues impacting their peers, solicit and evaluate nonprofit proposals, and ultimately award grants to programs that will make a measurable difference for youth in the community.
Since its inaugural meeting in 2016, Centre PACT has raised and granted over $64,900 to local nonprofits—thanks to funding from the Centre PACT Fund, a permanent endowment held at Centre Foundation, and generous contributions from community members and local businesses. Modeled after Centre Foundation’s Giving Circle, the program teaches collaborative giving by empowering teens to pool their resources, evaluate impact, and award grants to causes they believe in.
This year, the Centre PACT cohort awarded a total of $12,903 in grants to six local organizations focused on equity, education, mental health, and access to enrichment activities.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to meet other people from across the county—not just from your own high school,” said Ryan Stapleton, a student at State College Area High School. “It’s really cool to collaborate with other youth on raising money for our community, and then come to an event like this, grant the funds, and actually see the impact it makes alongside your peers.”
The 2025 Centre PACT Grant Recipients
- Center for Alternatives in Justice received a grant for $1,200 to support Youth Aid Panel Operations and Outreach, helping local teens avoid the formal justice system through restorative justice practices and peer-led accountability. This funding will enable the CACJ to expand the Youth Aid Panel into Bellefonte and Philipsburg, which will connect youth in the wider State College area to this restorative programming.
“This grant from Centre PACT is incredibly meaningful because it represents young people investing in other young people,” said Elizabeth Siegelman, Executive Director of the Center for Alternatives in Justice. “With their support, we can continue offering restorative alternatives that empower teens to take responsibility, repair harm, and stay on a positive path.”
- Park Forest Preschool received a grant for $807. Funding will replace worn air filters in three medical-grade air purifiers, ensuring safe and healthy air for children and teachers. All three of their classrooms are in the basement of an older building, so the new air purifiers will absorb and remove many harmful pollutants and particles, including viruses, bacteria, allergens and mold making the air cleaner and much safer.
“Clean air is essential for learning,” said Rocky Landers, a Park Forest Preschool board member. “This grant gives our kids a healthier start, especially in a building that doesn’t always have ideal air circulation.”
- Aaronsburg Civic Club received a grant for $3,000 to support Art Adventures in Aaronsburg, a suite of after-school and summer arts programs for rural youth in Penns Valley, designed to promote creativity, emotional literacy, and community pride.
“We’re honored that Centre PACT saw the value in bringing arts to our corner of the county,” said Andrea Vonada, President of the Aaronsburg Civic Club. “This funding will enrich the lives of children who often have few extracurricular options.”
- Cen-Clear Child Services, Inc. received a $1,000 grant to support the Spring Book Bingo Challenge, a literacy-building project where low-income families earn free books by completing fun parent-child reading activities.
“Books at home can change a child’s future,” said Jill Springer, Director of Grant Services at Cen Clear Child Services. “With this support, we’re empowering families to read together and build home libraries that fuel learning.”
- Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania received a grant for $3,941 to fund the creation of a second accessible playground with an astroturf surface, ensuring all children, including those with mobility aids, can safely play outdoors.
This project is about equity,” said Carly Pingley, Director of Easterseals Child Development Center. “Every child, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to move, laugh, and learn in a space that welcomes them.”
- Tides, Inc. received $2,955 to support Equine Grief Camps for children and teens coping with the loss of a loved one, combining equine-assisted therapy with peer connection and professional grief support.
“Grief is a journey no child should walk alone,” said Holly Oxendale, Executive Director of Tides. “We are excited to partner with Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center once again this year to provide this unique and meaningful experience for grieving children and teens. Thanks to Centre PACT, our participants will find healing in a supportive, peaceful setting.”
These impactful grants represent more than just funding; they reflect thoughtful choices made by teens committed to making Centre County a more inclusive, healthy, and hopeful place for young people.
Kerry Tolton, Centre Foundation’s Director of Development and Stewardship, shared the story of a former Centre PACT student whose experience in the program became more than just a résumé item—it became a defining part of her college application. “In her college acceptance letter, her experience with Centre PACT was specifically mentioned,” Kerry recalled, “pointing specifically to her hands-on learning of fundraising and grantmaking and recognizing her deep-rooted commitment to community service.”
Beyond college credentials, the students value Centre PACT for its manageable time commitment, only meeting once a month, making it ideal for busy students seeking meaningful ways to earn service hours and get involved.
Sophie Scourtis, a senior at State College Area High School, reflectively shared, “One thing that surprised me about Centre PACT was just how many nonprofits in our community are looking for support. I really liked learning about all the different organizations that could benefit from our help. It’s amazing how many groups come together to try to make life better for youth in our community.”
About This Year’s Centre PACT Class
The 2024-2025 Centre PACT class includes a dedicated group of high school students from across Centre County who spent the school year learning about community needs, evaluating grant proposals, and awarding funding to local nonprofits. Their hard work, insight, and passion for giving back are a testament to the power of youth philanthropy. The full list of this year’s Centre PACT student participants is included below.
Esra Aydin, Ayda Bayly, Abigail Behe, Luann Dong, Addison Behe, Kayla Fischer, Lila Franklin, Ellen Jun, Grace Jun, Lauren Krentzman, Grace Levy, Olivia Li, Zoe Michaleris, Kali Nicholas, Ryleigh Parette, Sophia Reutzel, Daniel Sahakian, Sophie Scourtis, Ryan Stapleton, Caitlyn Tan, Abby Vance, Justina Wang, Allison Warner, Mame Yeboah, Raymand Zhang.
This year’s program was guided by Centre Foundation staff advisors, Kerry Tolton, Development and Stewardship Director and Krista Williams, Grants and Scholarship Coordinator, whose mentorship helped shape an impactful and thoughtful grantmaking process.
We are also grateful to our local business contributors for supporting this opportunity and investing in the next generation of community leaders: Baker Tilly, Bellefonte Dental, Inc., Boal City Brewing, Brungo Family Dentistry, Highland Holding Group, McQuaide Blasko, Inc., Paradigm Properties Group, Inc., State College Orthodontics, P.C.
Get Involved
Centre County high school students are encouraged to apply to join the Centre PACT program each fall. The program offers a hands-on, student-led exploration of philanthropy and community service, which is an experience that not only helps nonprofits but prepares the next generation of community leaders.
The student membership application opens every fall. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for Centre PACT grants in December 2025.
Learn more at centrefoundation.org/get-involved/centre-pact
Centre Foundation fosters a culture of giving, supports and empowers nonprofits, and sparks positive community change.
