Community 101 Program Teaches Giving to Young People

Portland-based PGE Foundation has invested more that $1 million since 1997 in an innovated program that teaches students to be philanthropists.

"Based on Colorado's El Pomar Youth in Community Service model, the program turns kids into grantmakers by awarding each class up to $5,000 to run their own mini-charitable foundation. Each group surveys community needs, develops a mission statement, and researches local nonprofit agencies. Students then solicit grant requests and ultimately make tough decisions on who gets funded and by how much. The young philanthropists commit to performing four hours of community service a month and are encouraged to raise an additional $500 for their program, which is matched 1:1 by the sponsor."