Youth In Philanthropy celebrating 10 years

2009-2010 Youth in Philanthropy board members complete a year of grantmaking and service learning

 

KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy is celebrating its tenth year of engaging middle and high school students in grant-giving and service learning. Since 2000, more than 150 young people from all across the region have gained direct experience with philanthropy, refined their leadership and communication skills, and been exposed to a wide range of school and community improvement projects. In that time, these youth have awarded grants totaling more than $200,000 to support projects carried out by youth organizations, school groups, youth-serving nonprofits, and community volunteers.

"The broad goal of the program is to help young people discover their potential to impact their community through volunteerism and board service," said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation Vice President and KIDS PLUS Director.

The 2009-2010 Youth in Philanthropy board includes 16 young people and 4 adult advisors. Board members are in grades eight through twelve and attend schools in Chisholm, Deer River, Duluth, Esko, Floodwood, Hill City, Superior, and Two Harbors. This diverse and dedicated team awarded a total of 27 grants totaling $19,024 in fall, winter, and spring grantmaking rounds. The group was pleased to have met their challenge to stay within their $20,000 grant budget while still supporting a large number of proposals. Click here to view a video of a 2010 Youth in Philanthropy grant in action, the results of which benefitted the Safe Haven Shelter for Battered Women.

Youth In Philanthropy allows participants to learn by doing; the youth are hands-on in all aspects of the grantmaking process. They gain an understanding of grant writing, grantmaking, project planning, and budgets. The adult advisors and staff from the Northland Foundation offer training and guidance but decisions are led by the youth.

The board meets three times per year to review grant requests, discuss the merits of each proposal, and decide which and how much to fund, up to $1,000 per grant.

"Every year, without fail, we adults come away thoroughly impressed with how thoughtful the students are and how seriously they take this responsibility," continued Haglin.

The parents of youth board members deserve special thanks for supporting their teens' participation, as do the adult advisors who give their time and expertise.

This year's adult representatives are Chris Langenbrunner, Director of Community Education in Two Harbors; Sara Liimatainen, Cloquet Community Education Director; Kelli Millslagle, Financial Analyst for Minnesota Power–an ALLETE Company; and Tim Stratioti, Director of the Superior Branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland.

In addition to support from the Northland Foundation, Youth in Philanthropy also receives funding from the Minnesota Power Foundation which has been a supporter of the program since 2000.