Empowering teen philanthropists

For more than 20 years, the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow (T4T) program has been offering young people the opportunity to use their voices to empower change through philanthropy. Teens work with adult mentors to learn about fundraising and grantmaking. Each cohort of about 20 students awards funding to local nonprofits. Last year, T4T students distributed grants totaling $38,000.

Without a doubt, students learn a lot through this process. But, for new T4T mentor Edwin Salazar, the education goes both ways. “I’m sharing my experience, but they are teaching me a lot too,” said Salazar. “It’s inspiring to see how motivated they are—how excited they are to work together for the benefit of their community.”

The process rewards students, but it’s not without its challenges. “One of the biggest lessons is realizing that change can take time,” said Salazar. “I have to remind myself of that all the time. Our students are so eager, and this program shows them they have to organize and collaborate to keep that momentum going and make real change.”

Born and raised in the Quad Cities, Salazar’s background is in social work. “My focus has always been advocating for families and young children,” said Salazar. He previously worked as an addiction counselor at Rosecrance Outpatient Center before becoming youth director at YWCA Quad Cities in early 2023.

At YWCA, Salazar coordinates ThePlace2B, an afterschool program for youth. “The goal here is not so different from T4T,” said Salazar. “It’s a safe space for kids, but also a place they’re going to get a lot of education and opportunities that will benefit them in school and when they start to look for jobs.” Salazar’s passion for working with young people is obvious. “I feel like I can relate to them,” he added. “I’m trying to be the person that I wish my friends and I had to learn from when we were that age.”

T4T mentors support participants, but it’s the teens that run the program. “We’re there to guide and to answer questions,” said Salazar. “But all the hard decisions, the calls, the legwork, the students are doing it all.” During the program, students evaluate grant applications, hold fundraising meetings with donors, engage with nonprofit leaders, and much more.

Salazar was approached by Community Foundation staff about joining the T4T program. “Edwin has a natural way of reaching young people,” said Kaleigh Trammell, grantmaking specialist at the Community Foundation and staff lead for the Teens for Tomorrow program. “His approach is all about empowering the students. We feel very lucky to have him on the T4T team.”

For Salazar, the Community Foundation was an ideal partner. “The Community Foundation is all about lifting up young people and their families—the team there is incredibly supportive, and I’m blessed to be involved.” Already, three of Salazar’s YWCA students have started participating in the T4T program.

Interested in getting involved with the T4T program? Find more information on the Community Foundation website.