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Private Foundation Model

A private foundation model recognizes youth as valuable resources and engages them as partners with adults in bringing about positive community change through giving their time talent, and treasure. The private foundation model empowers youth as active philanthropists who hopefully will continue their giving to the community because they have developed this giving as a caring habit during their youth.

The youth philanthropy program is usually provided the funds for granting and program operations by the private foundation. Some private foundations earmark a portion of their annual grant funds for youth disbursement.

The project is usually administered under direction of the Foundation. The foundation Board includes the initiative as part of their strategic plan and receives regular reports at board meetings and approves grants.

Youth members from each county can be recommended as council members each year from the schools, youth serving organizations and private leaders. Adults are recruited who are leaders to serve as peers and mentors of the youth. There is one adult for every two youth members on the council and all members serve as equal partners. Council members are trained in the process of philanthropic giving and serving.

Council members review grant applications and award funds similar to the foundations grant cycles. Grant application information is available through the private foundation.

A proven program of the private foundation model is the Youth Pods of the Dekko Foundation.

“The Littlest Philanthropist” Program
In case you are wondering how to promote philanthropy among children, here is a wonderful idea from the Whitley County Community Foundation. High school youth who are part of the WCCF HANDS Youth Foundation (Helping Achieve New Directions through Students) go into all the county third grade classes and teach a session on philanthropy.

The students do three, 20 minute sessions on each of the topics of “Time,”“Talent,” and “Treasure.” When finished, they give the students in each classroom $100 to use for a cause the classroom cares about. Some have used the funds to generate more money before giving it away. Funded projects have included buying Teddy Bears for kids at the homeless shelter, giving the funds to volunteer fire stations, classroom service projects and more. For more information on this great project, contact John Slavich at 260-244-5224 or e-mail him at jslavwccf@kconline.com.