High School Students Give Thousands to Local Counties

MORENO VALLEY >> The Community Foundation serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino has area high school students fund grants for local nonprofits. Amanda Monteverde believes her peers today are more involved in their communities than ever before. “Youth Grantmakers has shown me how a group of high school students can not only create a bond, but together make a difference in the community by helping and supporting nonprofit organizations," Monteverde said. "This is evident in The Community Foundation’s Youth Grantmakers Program, now completing its eighth year.” Monteverde will be a senior at North High School in Riverside in the fall. She joined the program when she was a sophomore and has since gained critical skills. In ceremonies held at Sturges Center for the Arts in San Bernardino and City Hall in Riverside, the program celebrated with 11 nonprofits chosen to receive a total of $20,000. The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors approved the choices. With representatives from 13 high schools in both counties, 35 Youth Grantmakers make up the Riverside and San Bernardino program. Since the inception of this program, Youth Grantmakers have awarded $200,000 to deserving nonprofit agencies. In 2015-2016, they made grants to 11 nonprofits: $2,500 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, $2,500 to Foothill Family Shelter, $1,000 to Hamilton Essentials Foundation, $2,000 to Project Fighting Chance, and $2,000 to Youth Hope Foundation, $900 to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, $500 to Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California, Inc., $1,600 to Fender Museum, $2,500 to Grid Alternatives, $2,500 to Olive Crest, and $2,000 to Special Olympics of the Inland Empire. During the 2015-2016 academic year, Youth Grantmakers across the two-county region strengthened their leadership skills as they participated in philanthropy. Students learned to read and analyze a grant application, respectfully debate the most critical needs while learning to listen to others’ perspectives, and prioritize the many worthwhile requests. “The goal is teach young people about the tradition of philanthropy,” said Celia Cudiamat, EVP of Grants and Programs at The Community Foundation. “We hope the end result is an ethic of service and lifelong involvement in their community.”