Supported by their teachers, the students explore community needs, conduct research on nonprofits, write detailed funding proposals, and decide how to allocate grant funds among selected nonprofits. This initiative not only enhances students’ research, writing, and communication skills but also instills a sense of civic responsibility and the importance of supporting community services.
Giving Through Youth is a collaboration between West Marin Fund and schools in West Marin, involving elementary and middle school students in philanthropy and community service.
Purpose
What is Giving Through Youth?
The primary goal of the Giving Through Youth program is to increase students’ knowledge of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy by engaging them in real-world decision-making about distributing grant dollars—helping to lay a foundation for future volunteerism and giving back to their communities.
Grantmaking
Giving Through Youth Grants
West Marin Fund grants $2,000-$3,000 to participating classrooms for them to re-grant to local nonprofits of the students’ choosing. To make their decisions, students research community needs, read nonprofit websites, meet the nonprofit leaders, identify what activities are needed, and learn how much they will cost, all with the guidance of their teachers.
The students then write persuasive essays, deliberate amongst themselves, and come together in their schools for presentations and discussions with their selected grant recipients, West Marin Fund donors, staff, and the Giving Through Youth Steering Committee.
The students are engaged and articulate about what they learn and the significance of their efforts to benefit others. They carry these important lessons with them as they continue their formal education while becoming conscientious and thoughtful citizens.
See it in Action
The Student Experience
To capture the experience of Giving Through Youth through the eyes of a participating student, West Marin Fund worked with videographer Tom McAfee in 2018. The resulting video tells the story of Diego Chavarria’s selection of the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department and his visit with community philanthropist Suzanne Speh to meet the volunteers and learn about the service they provide to the community.
Photos by Jacob Leyva, West Marin Fund.
Community Voices
Giving Through Youth 2015-2025
Giving Through Youth 2015-2025
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Giving Through Youth: Diego Chavarria (Video)
Giving Through Youth: Diego Chavarria (Video)
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