Dollars, sense and change

The scent of Popeye's chicken and biscuits slathered with honey pervades the YMCA room every other Thursday, mingling with the sound of laughing, chattering adolescent voices and chairs scraping to cluster around the large table. The din fades into respectful silence as one of the voices speaks out distinctly from the rest, calling the meeting to order. Suddenly, the group switches from casual conversation to businesslike discussion, the voices now adult in their maturity as they prepare for the financial decisions involved with giving away $25,000. From funding conflict resolution to steel drum bands, these teenagers, who call themselves "Teens Giving Grants to Teens," prove philanthropy is not just for adults.

The Greater Washington Youth Philanthropy Initiative (GWYPI), sponsored by the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, allows student-run councils of 15 to 20 middle- and high-school students to provide grant money for fellow teenagers' projects. GWYPI, with councils in Montgomery County, Washington, D.C., Prince George's County and Northern Virginia, supports youth projects with $100,000 in total funding from the Time Warner Foundation, Fannie Mae and other organizations. Montgomery County's council, home to seven Blazer philanthropists, hopes to encourage teenagers to get involved and improve their communities.

According to Community Foundation Program Officer Glen O'Gilvie, youth philanthropists go through much effort to learn how to provide grants and fulfill their goal. Youth philanthropists are responsible for structuring their meetings, deciding which issues need to be addressed in the community, reviewing grant applications and choosing which programs receive money.

After examining the community and choosing adolescent health, tutoring and mentoring, extracurricular activities, domestic violence, abuse and teenage pregnancy as critical issues in Montgomery County, the GWYPI council is now looking to fund programs that address those problems. GWYPI members constantly encourage proposal submissions. "I hope there's people out there that want to make a change," says junior Tracy Davis.

Sophomore Dara Lun points out the effect that GWYPI can have on the recipients. "In some neighborhoods there are no programs. Some kids would be around the neighborhood with nothing to do," he explains. "This project can really help out kids in the community and get them off the streets."

Although GWYPI started only three years ago in Montgomery County, it has already provided grants to several teen projects, including $5,000 to Community Bridges, a program that teaches seventh- and eighth-grade girls how to become peer mediators and conflict resolvers, and $1,000 to Walter Johnson High School's Homeless Action Committee.

GWYPI also gave $5,000 to the Liz Lerman Dance and Teen Exchange Program for their project, Still Frame. According to Liz Lerman member junior Lillian Rosen, "Still Frame" videotaped dance workshops led by Liz Lerman students to create a multimedia dance performance. "We used the money to get groups and do workshops," Rosen states. Liz Lerman students are planning to apply for a grant this year as well.

Sophomore Abby Goldman, a youth philanthropist for two years, remembers another funding project at Mark Twain High School. GWYPI provided $7,000 to set up Super Sounds, a steel drum orchestra class that taught emotionally-disturbed middle- and high-school age students.

In addition to teen community projects, GWYPI also supports the Elementary Giving Program, which teaches elementary school students about philanthropy. Last year, the council gave $5,000 to Page Elementary School fourth graders to facilitate projects around the school. Students created a mural, sold art and led a canned food drive for the homeless.

Goldman enjoys the GWYPI because of the power it gives her as a teenager. "I have a big influence on the community. It's so rewarding. You can see the direct impact you have on people's lives," she exclaims. "I definitely want to stay in the group as long as I can."

As the meeting gets under way, Davis smiles at the rest of the group, glancing at the eager faces rapt with concentration. "I see young teens here learning to make a change," she says.

To become a Youth Philanthropist or receive a Request for Funding Proposal:

Call Glen O'Gilvie at 202-955-5890.

Proposals are due March 30 at 5:00 p.m. to
Teens Giving Grants to Teens
C/o Glen O'Gilvie, Program Officer
The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 420
Washington, D.C., 20005