Aside from occasional special events that target young people, what is your organization doing to encourage more philanthropy by youth? Should you be doing more? What are some of the best youth philanthropy programs that you have seen or heard about?
Hi! My name is Bree Schreiber and I work for a non-profit umbrella
organization called Child and Youth Friendly Calgary. One of the programs
that we run is The Calgary Youth Foundation, of which I am the Program
Coordinator. This program involves youth in a hands on approach to
philanthropy by providing youth with and opportunity to create positive
change in their community. The foundation is made up of 9 members, ages
13-18. They meet once a week to discuss fundraising activities, promotion
ideas and grant making. They send out grant applications and then select
small, youth driven, "grassroots" projects to receive grants of up to $1500.
All granting decisions are made by the foundation members, adult involvement
is strictly advisory.
I think that this is an amazing program, it teaches the youth about the
value of community and the value of the kind of projects that go on in that
community. It also teaches them the value of philanthropy and gives them a
chance to spread the word around. There are other Youth Foundations popping
up all over Canada and it is a great opportunity for any youth to be apart
of. For more information on this program or any of Child and Youth Friendly
Calgary's programs please call 266-5448 or email bree@childfriendly.ab.ca.
You can also check out our website at www.childfriendly.ab.ca.
-- Bree Schreiber, Child and Youth Friendly Calgary
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