Girls’ grantmaking programs have existed nationally for many years, largely as offshoots of women’s funds. These grantmaking groups empower young women with writing and analytical skills, with practical team building experience, and with the knowledge and joy of having a tangible way to improve and impact their communities in a positive way. In this way the groups develop stronger, more confident girls and hopefully plant the seeds for future philanthropists and non-profit leaders.
Regional Change Agents grantmakers is a team of 15 girls from across the region working together for the year as youth grantmakers. They’ll get to decide how to give away a total of $20,000 to other girls to implement unique girl-led projects in their local schools and communities.
There are four primary goals of this program:
• To promote systemic change in our community by; expanding girls’ exposures to social issues, creating a diverse community of girls interested in social action, and building self-esteem and leadership skills among girls in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties
• To prepare a new generation of young women for philanthropic involvement and non-profit leadership.
• To increase the funding for girls programs in the community.
• To have fun!
The larger Regional Change Agents program includes adults and teens representing different communities and schools from Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties. In addition to the youth philanthropy project, the adults and teens will work together over the course of the year to identify an issue affecting women and girls in their communities and develop an advocacy project to promote change around that issue. WGF and its community partners will support the teams in their endeavors, but these projects are entirely designed and implemented by the teams. At the end of the year they will host a regional gathering to showcase their advocacy work – and announce their grantees - in December 2009.
