Please Join the $50,000 Friends Fund Challenge

The FIYB Board has incredible news that we hope will inspire you as it has us. A long time friend of our community’s youth has anonymously committed $50,000!

In fact this supporter has agreed that their gift can be used to challenge you - matching donations you make before December 31, 2025 doubling your impact.  

Board Chair Jeff Love expressed his excitement about this gift that will support the work that the Ithaca Youth Bureau does since it confirms that we’re being effective. “As we face a challenging time when vital youth development programming is in jeopardy of being defunded, we must look within ourselves to meet the moment, and I see our donors and community doing just that.”

Allen Green believes the timing is great because “our young people and their families have lots of challenges to deal with and this funding enables us to provide important support to the IYB.”

New board member Peter Tsung realizes that the “increased financial pressures families face make our work even more essential, and it is motivation to contribute time and resources to keep IYB programs thriving.”

Eric Nichols feels that our regular meetings and communication with IYB Director Gregg Houck helps the FIYB board to understand how our allocations assist the IYB people, programs and facilities. 

“Gifts from community members and organizations can be designated to particular areas or for ‘areas of greatest need’. Economic conditions are putting more pressure on municipal budgets, nonprofit partners, and on individuals,” according to Mary Grainger.

Please consider participating in the Friends Fund Challenge by contributing to the FIYB by mailed check or online before December 31, 2025 so your support can be matched. We will announce the results on our website and social media as donors like you are inspired to respond. 

With gratitude,

FIYB Board

Jeff Love, Mary Grainger, Allen Green, Eric Nichols, Peter Tsung

PS Thank you for joining the Friends Fund Challenge created by our generous local friend who believes in the FIYB and IYB missions ensuring our community’s children and youth have safe and healthy recreational and youth development opportunities! 

How Friends Support Community’s Youth and Families

Friends of the Ithaca Youth Bureau (FIYB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB) in fulfilling its mission of offering Ithaca area participants from all backgrounds, walks of life, identities, abilities and lived experiences a broad range of recreation and youth development services, supports, and opportunities to enable them to thrive. The IYB is a public multi-service agency that promotes the health, happiness, and well-being of youth and families. Annually more than 7,500 youth, aged 0-20 years, participate. In addition to recreation and after school initiatives that serve the general youth population, IYB programs do strategic outreach to economically disadvantaged and under-served youth.

Tax-deductible gifts can be designated for one or more of the following programs, or for “area of greatest need”. Donate online or by check. See friendsiyb.org/donate

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Mentoring program affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America establishes and nurtures friendships between caring, responsible adults and children with a need for such friendship.

Expressive Arts

Ruth Davis Expressive Arts provides a wide variety of creative opportunities accessible and inclusive for children and youth - instrumental and vocal music, drawing and painting, pottery, dancing, and theatre. Participants have fun while building confidence, artistry, and a sense of community. 

Ithaca Youth Council 

Teen “ambassadors” from Ithaca and Tompkins County who focus on civic engagement, community outreach, and peer leadership.

Outings Program

Outdoor adventure program that encourages teamwork, builds self-confidence, and fosters personal growth. Camping trips are an integral part.

Recreation - Sports, Tot Spot, Day Camps

Year-round recreation programming includes sports, lessons, camps, special events and more are offered for Ithaca residents and through the Recreation Partnership as well as the Early Childhood and Family Programs. 

Recreation Support Services - Youth, Adult

Safe, skill-based recreational opportunities offer chances to make lasting friendships and develop independence. RSS helps individuals of all ages, primarily those with disabilities, achieve their goals for happiness and well-being. 

RISE (Resilience, Identity, Support, Empowerment) Program

Middle and high school youth from marginalized communities access a combination of long- and short-term programming designed to foster resilience, build life skills, and strengthen social-emotional development. RISE  (formerly CDP, PMSP and more) offers a safe and empowering environment where youth can explore their identities, build meaningful connections, and develop the tools needed to navigate challenges with empathy, purpose, and confidence.

Program Scholarships

Financial assistance is available for camps and programs that are fee-based, including ones donated in memory of Paul Scheurs. 

Youth Employment Service

YES program meets teens where they are and connects them to opportunities to work, grow, and lead in their community.