About | YPI

Home | About

YOUTH AND PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE

About YPI

Since it was introduced to Scotland in 2008 by The Wood Foundation, YPI has engaged more than 310,000 young people who have taken responsibility for £6.8m of charitable giving.

YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. Each school is responsible for directing a grant of £3000 to a local charity championed by its students through a unique programme of teamwork, research, and competition.

YPI engages a full year-group of students, developing skills and confidence through a contextualised learning experience. The programme raises awareness of social issues and local charities, and is a vital means of enabling devolved, locally driven grant making.

YPI is managed and principally funded by The Wood Foundation. A dedicated team works closely with all participating schools to fully realise the opportunity for their settings.

Our participating schools

See which other schools in your region are delivering YPI through our interactive map below.

MEET THE TEAM

The Wood Foundation manages YPI in Scotland, employing a dedicated programme management and delivery team, supported by in-house administration, evaluation, and communication expertise.

CENTRAL TEAM

Alex Reid

Delivery Lead

Alex manages a cohort of our regional facilitators, alongside leading our remote cohort schools and delivery protocols. Alex has coordinated the programme since 2017 and has held a number of project management and administration roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Lucia Giuntoli

Partnerships Manager

Lucia leads on partnerships related to our YPI programme. She works alongside our network of likeminded funding partners to ensure maximum benefit is being derived from the investment for the organisations and the young people involved in the programme. She is also the dedicated point of contact between YPI and third sector organisations. Alongside this partnership focus, Lucia is involved in the operational delivery and development of YPI. Lucia’s career has focussed on connecting businesses and education in order to support experiences and engagements which create mutual benefits.

PROGRAMME OFFICERS

Rebecca Cheyne

North-east Scotland: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Moray

Heather Bowie

East of Scotland: Fife, Dundee, Perth & Kinross, Stirling, Clackmannashire

Lynn Raynal

Central Scotland: Falkirk, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire

Gary Taylor

West of Scotland: Glasgow. East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Argyll & Bute

Laura Gordon

South-east Scotland: Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders

Mark Chambers

South-west Scotland: Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway

Steve Dougan

Highlands

“My advice for younger pupils starting YPI would be to simply enjoy it. Research thoroughly to find a charity that you feel passionate about and the progress will become a lot easier. When planning your presentation be creative, think outside the box and this will make the experience so much more beneficial and fun. You will get out of this experience as much as you put in."

Abbie, Bo'ness Academy