by Sue Schwartzman The January 25 Huffington Post article titled, “Philanthropy: College Students Get $100,000 To Give Away to Charity” lauds universities starting philanthropy courses that offer students practical philanthropy experience, such as giving them up to$ 100K to give away to worthy nonprofits. While I applaud Universities for recognizing the importance philanthropy, it is essential to point out that young people involved in philanthropy is not a new endeavor, nor is it something that is ideally saved for college level studies. As a philanthropic educator, I have helped launch three high powered youth philanthropy programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, and seen the abilities of grant-makers as young as thirteen. This generation of computer savvy youth is exposed to local and … Continue Reading
Jewish Teen Funders Network Launches Teen Foundations at 20 Summer Camps
New York, March 6, 2012 - The Jewish Teen Funders Network (JTFN), a youth philanthropy project of the Jewish Funders Network, has awarded grants to 20 summer camps from across denominational lines and around North America. As participants in the Camping Pilot Program, these grantees will receive $1,500 and leadership training to develop high-quality teen philanthropy programs. Recognizing the potential of Jewish youth philanthropy programs to empower and educate teens about effective philanthropy and Jewish values, JTFN will work closely with grantees on program development and staff training. Summer camps from around the Jewish community demonstrated overwhelming interest in the pilot program, with twice as many applications as slots available. Through the JTFN Camping Pilot Program, each of … Continue Reading
Two Sides of the Jewish Philanthropy Coin
by Sarah Indyk “Anything can be Jewish giving.” This comment caught my eye as I thumbed through feedback forms from teen members of Rose Youth Foundation following a recent meeting. It gave me pause. Actually, it set off my internal alarm bell. Exploring what it means to give Jewishly is a core component of Rose Youth Foundation. Each year, 23 teenaged participants in the program are charged with the responsibility of granting $60,000 to help solve community problems they identify in Greater Denver and Boulder. While the grantmaking process and funding decisions are entirely in the hands of the teens, there are a couple of rules. First, they must grant all of the money. Second, their grantmaking must support nonprofits serving Greater Denver and Boulder. Finally, they have to make … Continue Reading
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