A group of high school juniors and seniors from Midland ISD are taking an active role in supporting their community through the Students in Philanthropy (SIP) program. The initiative, which operates at several Permian Basin schools including Legacy High, Midland High, and Young Women’s Leadership Academy, is designed to introduce students to philanthropy and nonprofit work.
According to Stacy Payne, SIP Coordinator at Legacy High School, “The purpose of SIP is to lead students into the world empowered and prepared to meet the needs of their community. We aren’t just volunteering; we are inspiring a lifetime of service through time, talent, and treasure.”
The program is competitive. Students must submit a detailed application, obtain teacher recommendations, maintain excellent attendance records, and complete a formal interview process before being admitted. Once selected, participants take part in a rigorous course that carries academic credit and is developed in partnership with the Abell-Hanger Foundation.
Throughout the year, students act as a mini-foundation: they review grant applications from local nonprofits, conduct site visits for hands-on learning experiences, perform service projects within these organizations, and ultimately select beneficiaries for their fundraising efforts. Each spring culminates in “Prize Patrol Day,” when students deliver grant checks directly to chosen nonprofits across Midland.
This year’s Legacy High SIP chapter achieved notable success by winning a $10,000 grant during the Dallas Cowboys Community Captains Huddle Day of Service hosted by Chevron. The funds were used to renovate the media room at Taylor Park Boys and Girls Club.
In addition to external projects, SIP members provide ongoing support within their own schools. At Greathouse Elementary School every Tuesday, LHS SIP students offer academic and social mentoring. They have also initiated small campus-wide activities such as the “clothespin game,” where positive messages are discreetly attached to peers’ clothing.
Twice yearly—once each semester—all area SIP members gather for joint Days of Service at various nonprofit sites after attending an informational session together. Organizers estimate that each hour volunteered saves local organizations about $35 in labor costs.
Through this approach—blending classroom instruction with direct involvement—SIP aims to prepare West Texas youth for future leadership roles rooted in community service.
