Teens Active in Grantmaking (TAG) is all about putting the power of philanthropy in the hands of the next generation. We’re here to help young leaders learn the ropes of grantmaking, understand how nonprofits change the world, and discover the incredible opportunities in the world of giving. We like to think of TAG as a backstage pass to making a real impact in the community!
As a Community Foundation program, TAG follows the same core mission: to connect people and resources to inspire philanthropy and create lasting change. But we do it with a fresh, fun, and teen-focused twist!
The Community Foundation offers a special shoutout to the Tracy Family Foundation for their generous support of this program. Let's do this!
What's TAG All About?
✔ Learn how grantmaking works
✔ Make a real impact in the community
✔ Explore the importance of philanthropy
TAG (Teens Active in Grantmaking) is a chance for high school students in Quincy to make real change in their community. From September to May, TAG members meet monthly to explore the world of community leadership, philanthropy, and civic engagement. Through hands-on learning, guest speakers, and team collaboration, members gain a deeper understanding of local issues and how nonprofits make a difference.
Then comes the fun part — putting it all into action. With a real grant budget to manage, TAG members review applications, evaluate community impact, and make the final call on which projects receive funding. It's real money, real responsibility, and real-world experience. Cool, right?
Whether you're passionate about mental health, food access, education, or creating more opportunities for youth, TAG gives you the tools (and trust!) to turn ideas into impact.
Mission
To educate and empower teens to make a difference through grantmaking, philanthropy, and community impact.
Our Core Values
Learn
Gain real-world experience in nonprofit funding and leadership.
Lead
Take charge and learn to be the decision-makers for grants that shape the community.
Give
See the power of generosity firsthand and make a difference.
Grow
Build skills that last a lifetime, from teamwork to budgeting to advocacy.
Inspire
Show others what young changemakers can do!
TAG Student Application Information
If you're a high school student in Quincy and you're all about making your community a better place, TAG might be your next big move. Each year, new members are selected by our TAG Advisory Committee.
Ready to apply?
Applications open July 1 and are due by September 1. You’ll need to create a quick account in our application system. It's easy, and the same account lets you apply for scholarships through the Community Foundation down the road. Win-win!
Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort are closed. Stay connected with us for updates on the next application cycle.
2025-2026 TAG Students
Abigail MacDonough
Bio coming soon.
Ava Geisendorfer
Ava Geisendorfer, a senior at Quincy High School, enjoys staying active by playing tennis and softball. A fun fact about Ava is that she used to play football! Her dream is to attend West Point Military Academy and pursue a career in the military. She enjoys watching S.W.A.T. and 10 Things I Hate About You. If she could travel anywhere, she’d love to visit Africa or Italy to explore new cultures and experiences.
Caroline Seaman
Caroline Seaman, a junior at Quincy High School, enjoys creating ceramics in her free time. About a year ago, she saved enough money to buy her own pottery wheel, and now she finds the process calming, quiet, and methodical. She especially enjoys the functionality of the pots she makes. Caroline is also very musical—she plays the piano and viola, and she loves to sing. Her dream career is in conservation or ecology, combining her love of biology with research and teaching. She envisions herself going on research trips and working as a university professor when not in the field. Caroline’s favorite shows and movies are Phineas and Ferb and Nacho Libre. If she could travel anywhere, she’d love to visit Italy or Switzerland.
Catori Holford
Catori Holford, a junior at Quincy Notre Dame High School, loves playing tennis in her free time. A fun fact about her is that she’s visited some of the filming locations for The Notebook—including Cypress Gardens, South Carolina (where the famous rain scene was filmed!), and the movie theater in Charleston. Her dream is to become a therapist and a mother. Catori’s favorite movie is The Notebook (though she also loves the Harry Potter movies), her favorite book series is The Summer I Turned Pretty, and she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls. If she could travel anywhere, Catori would visit Salvation Mountain in California and The Pretty Place Chapel in South Carolina.
Charles Strong
Bio coming soon.
Emma Hayden
Emma Hayden, a Senior at Quincy High School, loves to dance and spends much of her free time practicing her moves. A fun fact about Emma is that she plays the violin! Her dream career is to become a nurse so she can help care for others. Emma’s favorite TV show is YOU, and if she could travel anywhere in the world, she’d choose Bali for its beautiful beaches and relaxing atmosphere.
Gloria Miles
Gloria Miles, a sophomore homeschool student, loves spending time outdoors, especially hiking and exploring nature. A fun fact about Gloria is that she has three dogs who keep her busy and entertained. Gloria is still exploring her future career options but knows she wants to do something that involves helping others. Her favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls because she enjoys how fun and creative it is. If she could travel anywhere, Gloria would choose the mountains of Scotland in the fall to take in the beautiful scenery and crisp air.
Harper Hough
Bio coming soon.
Jahki Castleman
Jahki Castleman, a sophomore at Quincy High School, enjoys spending his time outside of school coaching and educating QYFL players. A fun fact about Jahki is that he plays both the snare drum and the saxophone! His dream career is something that allows him to work with the public and communicate with his community. Some of Jahki’s favorite shows and books include the Who Was series, S.W.A.T., and Miss Governor. If he could travel anywhere, he’d love to go somewhere with a larger Black population and experience the culture there.
Ky Thomas
Kyleigh "Ky" Thomas, a sophomore at Quincy Notre Dame High School, loves spending time outdoors running or walking through local park systems with her dog. It’s her favorite way to stay active while also taking time to relax and recharge. She also enjoys reading her Bible whenever she can and deepening her relationship with God. A fun fact about Kyleigh is that she has four younger brothers and no sisters. She hopes to pursue a career in advertising and marketing. Kyleigh’s favorite movie is 10 Things I Hate About You, and if she could travel anywhere, she’d choose Italy for its amazing music, lights, and overall charm.
Leo Schuetz
Bio coming soon.
Medha Pujar
Medha Pujar, a sophomore at Quincy High School, enjoys playing tennis in her free time. A fun fact about her is that her uncle is an entrepreneur who runs a nonprofit program in India and supports multiple villages through his work. While she isn’t completely sure what her dream job will be yet, she’s interested in a career that combines entrepreneurship, medicine, and business. Her favorite show is Powerless, and if she could travel anywhere, she’d love to explore new places around the world.
Rosalia Durante
Rosalia Marie Durante is a junior at Quincy High School who loves spending her free time drawing and sewing. She has two older brothers who always make life interesting. Rosalia’s dream job is to become a psychiatrist because she wants to help people with their mental health. Her favorite movie is The Big White, and if she could travel anywhere, she’d go to Alaska to see its amazing scenery and wildlife.
Nazayla Crouch
Nazayla Crouch, a junior at Quincy High School, loves spending her free time singing and expressing herself through music. A fun fact about her is that she absolutely loves the color pink! Her dream career is to become a nurse so she can make a difference in people’s lives. Nazayla’s favorite TV show is The Vampire Diaries, and if she could travel anywhere, she’d choose the Caribbean for its warm weather, clear water, and beautiful scenery.
Xavier Richardson
Xavier Richardson, a sophomore at Quincy High School, enjoys spending his free time golfing with friends. A fun fact about Xavier is that he has stayed in seven different countries outside of the United States! His dream career is to become a dentist, combining his interest in science and helping others. Xavier’s favorite TV show is The Walking Dead, and if he could travel anywhere, he’d love to visit Paris, France, to experience its beauty and culture for the first time.
Ways to Get Involved
01
Become a TAG Member
We’re the new kids on the (philanthropy) block, and we’re looking for more teens ready to make waves!
02
Become a TAG Mentor
Adults have the opportunity to guide our TAG members as part of our Advisory Committee.
03
Help us Recruit New Members
If you know someone who may be interested in joining this program as a TAG member, let us know! You can also nominate a teen here.
04
Give to our Fund
We believe in this program and the opportunities that will be created through TAG's grants. If you would like to support the success of their grantmaking program, you are invited to give now.
Are you looking to apply for a
TAG grant?
Attention, Quincy, IL-based nonprofits: TAG grant applications for the spring 2026 cycle opens on February 1, and are due by March 2. Click on the links below for more information, and as always, stay tuned for the latest news by following us on Facebook and Instagram @teensactiveingrantmaking
Nominate a Teen for TAG
We’re looking for passionate, curious, and community-minded high school students to join TAG. If you know a teen who would thrive in a leadership role and wants to help shape the future of their community, nominate them today! Your referral could be the first step in their journey to becoming a changemaker.
For questions, contact us at TAG tag@mycommunityfoundation.org
Thank you for helping us identify young leaders who care about their community!
