Culture of Giving Movement Graduates 240 New Philanthropists, Ages 9-11

The vote sparked far more excitement than any Bixby School student council election ever had. Presentations were prepared; on the playground, kids’ conversations were about winning votes. Dramatic phone conversations were the norm. How to pick between fur, skin or scales? Could they reach their fund-raising goal in time?

In the end, after a close race between the Humane Society and Children’s Hospital, the kids beat out the puppies – by a nose.

This discussion, about how elementary school kids can best help their communities, took place at Bixby, where the 4^th and 5^th graders eventually decided to award their $1,000 of collected pennies to purchase an Art Cart for the new Children’s Hospital. But similar conversations were happening last spring at four additional schools (Flatirons Elementary, Friends’ School, High Peaks Elementary, and Community Montessori), as part of year 2 of The Community Foundation’s Culture of Giving Junior Philanthropy Elementary Program.

Over 240 new philanthropists graduated from the program. Following a 12-week curriculum, those kids are now conversant on the importance of giving back, how to volunteer and raise money, how to research non-profits and how to have impact. Several additional schools have signed up to participate during the 2007-2008 school year.

In addition to the elementary school happenings, the Culture of Giving celebrated kids’ visions of giving by recognizing their art work during the 5th annual Junior Philanthropy Art Contest. Hundreds of middle and high school students participate each year, and much of their work is displayed at the Dairy Center for the Arts each December. Winners receive money that they may designate for their own favorite non-profit organization.

Junior Philanthropy, produced in partnership with Philanthropiece (www.philanthropiece.org) , is one of several programs that are part of the Culture of Giving Movement. The mission of the Culture of Giving Movement is to create a stronger, more connected community by providing the resources, information and tools to build upon Boulder County's growing philanthropic culture. The Community Foundation believes that thoughtful giving is a skill, one that requires research and learning. We hope to facilitate that process by bringing people, information, and resources together.