STATE COLLEGE — 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, students 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 more than $79,500 to local nonprofits — thanks to funding from the Centre PACT Fund, a permanent endowment held at Centre Foundation, and 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 $14,621 in grants to eight local organizations focused on youth well-being, education, leadership development, emergency preparedness, environmental learning, grief support, and basic needs.
“Centre PACT has helped me see the bigger picture of our community,” said Lila Franklin, a senior at State College Area High School and two-year Centre PACT participant. “A lot of students don’t always realize what others around them may be going through. Through this program, I’ve been able to see the impact local nonprofits make every day and be part of helping support that work. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for philanthropy, service, and the importance of giving back to others.”
2026 Centre PACT Grant Recipients
Sleep in Heavenly Peace received a grant for $3,000 to support No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town! PA-Lock Haven. Funding will help the PA-Lock Haven chapter build and deliver beds to children ages 3–17 who do not have a bed of their own in Lycoming, Centre, Clinton, and Potter counties. By addressing this basic need, the program helps ensure that children have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Penns Valley Education Association received a grant for $2,000 to support Elementary Environmental Camp. In partnership with the Penns Valley Conservation Association, this environmental education initiative will provide elementary students with hands-on, place-based learning experiences during a multi-day summer camp.
Snow Shoe Emergency Medical Service received a grant for $2,000 to support the First Responders Club. This initiative promotes public health and safety by educating youth in emergency preparedness, basic first aid, and prehospital emergency medical concepts while fostering leadership, teamwork, and community service.
Tides, Inc. received a grant for $2,980 to support Supplies and Resources for Child Grief Therapy. As Tides launches a new grief therapy program for children in Centre County who have lost a loved one, this funding will provide therapeutic tools and play-based resources for licensed counselors working with children through the grieving process.
Park Forest Preschool received a grant for $1,641 to support Preschool Pantry Stopgap. This funding will help offset increased food costs during a staffing transition in the preschool’s kitchen, ensuring that children continue to receive nutritious meals while new staff strengthen systems for managing food resources and budgeting.
Centre County Youth Service Bureau received a grant for $1,500 to support Every Experience is a Learning Opportunity. Through this program, youth from families with limited resources can participate in enrichment experiences such as trips to the zoo or ice skating, building confidence, skills, and social connections outside the classroom.
Under Angel Wings Family Center received a grant for $1,000 to support Rising Royalty: Youth Empowerment & Leadership Project. Through the Princes to Kings boys’ group and Glow & Grow Girls empowerment group, this project supports teen boys and girls in Centre County by building confidence, leadership, healthy coping skills, and meaningful peer connections in a safe and inclusive environment.
Centre Wildlife Care received a grant for $500 to support Wild About Animals Educational Outreach. Through educational programs featuring live wild animals, this outreach initiative will help young people learn about wildlife rehabilitation, natural history, and what to do when they encounter an injured wild animal.
These 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.
Nathaniel Rasmussen, Community Impact Director at Centre Foundation, emphasized the deeper value of Centre PACT beyond the grants themselves. “Centre PACT gives students the opportunity to see firsthand how philanthropy works and how thoughtful giving can directly impact their community,” Rasmussen said. “They aren’t just learning about community needs, they are helping address them.”
Beyond helping students build strong college and scholarship applications, students value Centre PACT for its manageable time commitment, meeting just once a month, making it ideal for busy students seeking meaningful opportunities to earn service hours and get involved.
2025-26 Centre PACT Class
The 2025–2026 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. The full list of this year’s Centre PACT student participants includes Addison Behe, Abigail Behe, Lillian Belkin, Amelia Borger, Timothy Chen, Lia Fox, Lila Franklin, Ava Haque, Lauren Krentzman, Olivia Li, Kendall Lingenfelter, Tyler Lippincott, Joanna Liu, Haydn Matthew, Zoe Michaleris, Lisel Perles-LeClear, Daniel Sahakian, Ryan Stapleton, Caitlyn Tan, Will Tolton, Abby Vance, Justina Wang, Allison Warner, Lea Wassom, Maame Yeboah, Raymond Zhang.
This year’s program was guided by Centre Foundation staff advisors, Krista Williams, Grants and Scholarship Coordinator and Nathaniel Rasmussen, Community Impact Director whose mentorship helped shape an impactful and thoughtful grantmaking process.
Centre County high school students are encouraged to apply to join the Centre PACT program each fall.
Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for Centre PACT grants in December 2027. To learn more, contact Krista Williams, Grants and Scholarship Coordinator, at krista@centrefoundation.org or 814-237-6229.
