Teen philanthropists announce the 2016 Teens for Tomorrow Grant Recipients
Youth philanthropists, part of the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow Program, spent the past week visiting with, and presenting checks to, nonprofit organizations who have been awarded 2016 Teens for Tomorrow Grants.
After receiving 31 applications for a total of more than $65,000, the students chose six organizations to fund, awarding $10,050 ($10,000 from the Herb and Arlene Elliott Endowment, and $50 given to the students by a local service group for speaking about the program). Four organizations received full funding, and two received partial funding.
“Every year, the students involved in the program define their grantmaking priorities based on what they are passionate about, combined with what they learn that the community needs through research, interviews, and surveys,” explained Kelly Thompson, Director of Programs and advisor to the group. “This year the students made the decision to support projects in education, the environment, health and poverty.”
Special preference was given to projects that were “river bridging”—efforts that spanned both sides of the Quad Cities area or otherwise brought the two-state region together. “For many members, Teens for Tomorrow is their first chance to work collaboratively with other students from throughout the Quad Cities,” Thompson said. “It made sense to them to focus on funding nonprofits that benefit our whole region.”
The following organizations received 2016 Teens for Tomorrow Grants:
The Augustana College Speech, Language, and Hearing Center, which employs trained speech therapists while also providing learning opportunities for college students, received $1,000 to provide scholarships to financially needy clients.
Bethany for Children and Families was awarded $1,950 for their Give Kids a Smile Mobile Dental Program, which provides dental services free-of-charge to uninsured children in the Quad Cities region.
Davenport Community Schools received $2,050 for Mid City High School’s Taking Charge, a school-based program for teen moms and teen dads that encourages school attendance and personal goal setting. The program will include incentives for meeting attendance, school and personal goals.
King’s Harvest was awarded $1,800 to support the purchase of healthy food for a hot meal three times every week to the poor and homeless in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities. The award will provide those they serve with more fruits and vegetables.
Transitions Mental Health Services received $2,500 to bring mental health education and consultation to area school systems. The project will help school faculty better understand what kids are going through and help guide them in order to reduce their pain.
WQPT was awarded $750 for their First Book Club, which expands and improves literacy skills for children at risk for failure. The program also provides five free books to build their home libraries.
For more information about the Teens for Tomorrow Program, visit here.
Photo above: Teens for Tomorrow participants present the check to Transitions Mental Health Services.