OUR MISSION
IN OUR FIRST ELEVEN YEARS,
MVYouth has invested $20 million into the Martha’s Vineyard Youth community.
MVYouth organizes donors around a shared mission. By pooling donations, we multiply the impact of charitable giving, and put money to work now for Martha's Vineyard's children, teens and young adults. Funds benefit local organizations serving Island youth, and provide educational scholarships to high school seniors and young adults.
Since our inception in 2014, over 100 Founders have supported MVYouth with a four-year pledge to donate $25,000/year ($100,000 in total). In addition, numerous other donors and local businesses have given generously to support our grant & scholarship programs.
60% OF FUNDS SUPPORT GRANTS
Capital funding for exceptional organizations serving children, teens and young adults.
MVYouth has awarded $11.6 million to youth serving organizations. Expansion Grants support organizations that enrich the lives of young people on Martha's Vineyard with funding to accomplish capital projects. Much like a financial manager chooses investments to maximize profit, MVYouth makes grant decisions to maximize impact. MVYouth works in partnership with other donors to support vital youth-serving nonprofits. Grants are generally not awarded to sustain operating budgets.
40% OF FUNDS SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS
Educational funding for deserving high school students and young adults.
MVYouth has supported 113 students to receive educational scholarships totaling $8.3 million. Scholarships support students who qualify for financial support with last-dollar funding for each year of their educational plan.
College Scholarships support high school seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, character and service.
Healthcare & Education Scholarships support high school seniors specifically pursuing bachelor’s degrees in healthcare and education who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, character and service.
Workforce Development Scholarships support young people ages 18-25 years old pursuing one-two year certification and licensure programs in local industries (automotive, aviation, building trades, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, healthcare, horticulture & landscaping, marine trades, wind, etc.).
READ OUR ANNUAL REPORT
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
Lindsey Scott
Lindsey has been working to enrich the lives of young people on the Vineyard for over 20 years. Lindsey helped to launch MVYouth in 2014, drawn by the clear vision, effective structure and potential of MVYouth’s collaborative funding approach. Previously, she created Cinema Circus for the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, an interactive film and theatrical event for children and families. Lindsey also established a comprehensive, elementary visual arts program for the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, and taught art to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Lindsey studied art history at Colorado College and received an MAT in Art Education from Tufts University and the School the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Lindsey lives in Chilmark with her husband, Josh, two children and many farm animals.