The Youth Philanthropy Initiative is a program of The Community Foundation serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties which hopes to cultivate young philanthropists who will follow the learned traditions of giving and serving their community throughout their lives.

The mission of The Community Foundation (TCF) serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties is to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. We help donors invest in our communities by connecting them with the causes they care about. TCF was established in 1941 by Charles Brouse who devoted his estate to provide scholarship support for deserving young people in Riverside trying to enter college. It was originally founded as a scholarship foundation for the City of Riverside, but began receiving more diverse gifts in the 1950's. TCF expanded its geographic scope to include San Bernardino County in 2000. In 2008, TCF provided over $4.1 million in grants and scholarships.

Goals:

• Create a “leadership through philanthropy” training module for youth
• Teach youth to meet community challenges by making grants to projects that address concerns of youth
• Instill an ethic of volunteering and giving to youth so they become philanthropists
• Establish a Youth Fund

Expected Outcomes:

• Youth will get trained and gain experience in community needs assessment, grantmaking, and stewarding charitable funds
• Establish funds for sustainable youth grantmaking

Youth Grantmakers Composition:

• The Youth Grantmakers Committee will be approved by the Community Foundation Board of Directors and follow the same granting policies as the Grants Committee.
• 15-20 students (sophomores, juniors and seniors)
• Students with at least a 2.5 gpa; service-oriented and college (or vocational) –bound
• Outreach to Riverside high schools (public, private, continuation): North, Ramona, King, Poly, Arlington, Norte Vista, La Sierra, Notre Dame, Woodcrest Christian, Lincoln, RainCross, Alvord
• Counselors at the high schools will identify 2-3 students who would benefit the most from this experience

Youth Grantmakers Job Description:

Youth currently in 10th, and 11th grades who have exhibited the potential to be leaders and who have an interest in representing the youth in their community. (Twelfth graders may be considered if they plan to attend college in the region). They must be willing to participate on a committee that will assess the needs of youth in the city of Riverside and help decide and recommend which programs to grant money to, to ensure that it is used to respond to the needs of youth in Riverside. For the first three years of grantmaking (starting in 2009), funds have been allocated to enable Youth to grant to charitable organizations for projects in Riverside. The first year of youth grantmaking will be a pilot year.
The youth grantmakers committee will meet once a month and committee members will probably be expected to help coordinate other activities, too.

Youth committee members should demonstrate:

• Leadership potential and social skills developed to the point that the youth can gain the respect and trust of his or her peer group, show empathy for others, be willing to listen to and be considerate of other’s input, and be willing to share opinions with others.
• Tenacity—The ability to make a commitment to a goal and follow through with tasks associated with that goal.
• Availability—The youth is not already committed to a variety of other activities that may conflict with this service.
• Community service—The youth has exhibited concern for or participation in community service in the past.
• Openness to working with adults—He or she has exhibited a willingness to respond to adult mentoring efforts.
• Potential for personal growth—The youth may be at a turning point in his or her development, and can use this experience as a springboard toward a new self-concept.

What will the Youth Grantmakers Committee Do?

For the first three years of grantmaking (starting in 2009), funds have been allocated to enable Youth to grant to charitable organizations for projects in Riverside. The first year of youth grantmaking will be a pilot year.

• Survey peers (other high school students) on the most important issues for teens in 2009. Generate a list of these issues.
  
• Send out grant applications to non-profit organizations (like community groups, schools, churches). On the application, we ask them to tell us about a program or project that addresses one of the issues most important to teens.
  
• The applications are submitted on a particular deadline. All the applications are reviewed by the members and members decide which programs sound like they would benefit youth most, and divide up the money available to give out.
  
• Present what has been decided to the Grant Review Committee, and the Community Foundation Board for approval.
  
• The nonprofit organizations then get the money!

2009 Timeline | See Youth Grantmakers Committee 2009 Meeting Agendas

• Youth Grantmakers selection and notification 1st week of February.
  
• Convene a meeting of Youth Grantmakers and their parents February 22, 2009.
  
• Youth Grantmakers orientation training February 22, 2009.
  
• Youth Grantmakers conduct survey of youth issues in March 2009. Monthly meeting/training TBD.
  
• April 2009 – Monthly meeting/training TBD
  
• Review Grant proposals; decisions released and check presentations to nonprofits end of May/1st week of June.
  
• Youth Grantmakers recognition ceremony in June 2009. Determine summer schedule.

Questions: Contact Celia Cudiamat, Vice President for Grant Programs at 951 684-4194 x114 or e-mail Celia at ccudiamat@thecommunityfoundation.net.