Leelanau Township Youth and Philanthropy
As a community foundation, we give oversight to the Youth Endowment Fund, a local fund established through a challenge grant many years ago.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of local high school students who learn the basics of philanthropy by making decisions on grant applications for those Youth Endowment Funds.
Our Youth Advisory Council at Northport Public School has awarded over $100,000 in grants since 1996. All YAC grants have focused on providing benefits to the youth of our community, with Northport Public School the recipient of many of these grants.
YAC at Northport Public School, 2023-24
Youth as Difference Makers
In addition to the school, YAC has also bestowed funding to the town's Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) Celebration, the Leelanau Children's Center, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, and many other organizations. These annual contributions to community projects confirm that local youth are able to handle the challenges and responsibilities of planning — and funding — the future of Leelanau Township.
To learn more about the Youth Advisory Council, call (231) 386-9000 or email the LTCF's Executive Director at director@leelanaufoundation.org.
Jackie Tropf, YAC Advisor
Jackie Leyva is originally from Jupiter, Florida, but was fortunate enough to have a connection to Northport, where she spent each summer visiting from the time she was 10. After graduating high school, she earned a degree in elementary education from Grand Valley State University before moving to Northport in 2017. Jackie started teaching 5th grade at Northport Public School that same year and spent three years as the assistant coach for North Bay Varsity Girls Volleyball. She resides in Lake Leelanau with her husband and loves everything this community has to offer!
Email: jtropf@northportps.org
