Susan Landis Youth Philanthropists Program
—Beckley, West Virginia—

The Susan Landis Youth Philanthropists Program, also known as the SLYP program, is a sponsored program of the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) in Beckley, West Virginia. Initially launched in 2016 to honor BAF’s late Executive Director, Susan Landis, it relaunched as an Affiliate of the Three Pillars Initiative in 2020. They have been able to engage and empower students all over Raleigh County, bringing in students from 6 high schools as well as additional homeschooled students. According to previous Program Coordinator Sharon Lilly, the TPI program model and curriculum helps students grow and “ignite what they have inside when they step into the role of truly being a philanthropist—not about money but the desire to give no matter where one is or what they’re doing”.

Since 2020, students in the SLYP program have done great work owning their role in improving their community. Their current Senior Cohort will be looking to build on the momentum of last year’s Senior Cohort who was able to raise nearly $5,000 through some exciting fundraising events, including the United Way’s Wonderland of Trees.

Heading into their fourth year as an Affiliate of TPI, they are looking to capitalize on the eagerness and energy from both their students and the entire community, as many of their opportunities for community engagement over the last few years had been canceled or limited for health and safety reasons. Some students were even starting to ideate and plan potential events for this year over the summer!

Local Organizations Funded

• United Way of Southern West Virginia

• The Dream Center

• Crab Orchard Baptist Church-NOW Program

• Cross Point Church

• The Beckley Art Center