Applications Now Available for the 2024-26 Teen Philanthropy Initiative

In September 2024, 30 high school sophomores in Naperville, Ill., will start a two-year program that will give them "hands-on experience in philanthropy, including charitable giving, fundraising, and community service," per a press release from KidsMatter, the local nonprofit that runs the Teen Philanthropy Initiative.

They'll also earn college credit through North Central College for related coursework, the Chicago Tribune reports.

In the first year of the program, the sophomores learn about grant-making and work with local nonprofits to submit grant proposals.

They then visit sites to evaluate the requests, decide how to allocate grant money, and launch a nine-month fundraising campaign to support local nonprofit organizations the following year.

The Teen Philanthropy Initiative is based on the Three Pillars Initiative, a national 501(c)(3) philanthropic service organization whose mission is to provide teens with comprehensive leadership skills and experiences to ensure the next generation can sustainably impact community philanthropy and civic leadership during their lifetime.

KidsMatter's mission is to build resilient kids who say "no" to destructive choices and harnesses the power of partnership with parents, educators, and an extensive network of community resources to help kids and families thrive.

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