Instead of living up to “Me Generation” stereotypes, local youths are spending their Sundays learning about and volunteering at non-profits through the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2)
More than 30 middle and high school students dubbed “PhilantroTeens,” including several from Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, attend training sessions designed to inspire broad and deep learning about how non-profit organizations operate, how to donate money effectively and how to select an issue area on which to focus. Ultimately, the PhilanthroTeens, who are the children of SV2 donors, will contribute a $5,000 to $10,000 grant to an organization they deem worthy of support.
Since the program’s inception in 2009, approximately 60 students have graduated from the SV2 Teen Philanthropy program. This year’s Leadership Committee comprises returning high school students. SV2 donors and staff help run the sessions, but the teens spearhead the decisionmaking process.
Throughout the spring, the PhilanthroTeens volunteer at three non-profit agencies that work to alleviate poverty, then debate the strengths and challenges of each organization and determine how to allocate the grant money.
“We are so proud to be training the next generation of Bay Area philanthropists,” says SV2 Executive Director Lindsay Austin Louie. “It’s amazing to see how the teens mature and become engrossed in social issues over the course of only 21 hours of meetings.”
Participating teens agreed that the program is impactful.
“Before I started the SV2 Teens program three years ago, I was not excited to spend my Sundays there,” said Alex Stitt, who attends Pinewood School in Los Altos Hills. “Now I look forward to every session and know that I am making a difference in the world, locally and internationally.”
Stitt said his SV2 experience is different from regular volunteering.
“I get to see a whole new side to the non-profit business,” he said. “I see the behind-the-scenes action. I see how they run.”
Stitt added that his exposure to SV2 has inspired him to pursue philanthropy in the future.
“It has been a great experience,” said Katelyn Weingart, a Los Altos Hills resident who attends Menlo School. “It has been very hands-on. It has been really interesting to learn about all these issues that are going on in our community.”
Katelyn’s sister Julia agreed that the experience was beneficial.
“I think it is a great opportunity, because in most organizations you learn about one problem,” Julia said. “In this, you learn about all these different non-profits. It’s a really great way to find something that interests you so that you can help out more in the future.”
The SV2 students will continue their site visits and meetings through April. Sunday, the students will participate in a service project at the 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto.
“For teens who are looking at SV2, I would say it is a great opportunity and I am excited to see how it is going to grow,” Katelyn said.
The program is still open to interested students, and families are urged to contact SV2 by Friday. The remaining PhilanthroTeens sessions for this year are scheduled 2-5 p.m. March 25 and April 22 and 29.
For more information on signing up, email in**@*v2.org.
For more information on the Teen Philanthropy program, visit www.sv2.org/page/teen-philanthropy.
