Philanthropy for All Ages: Supporting Youth to Make a Difference in Fairfield County

Dear Friend,

Philanthropy isn’t just for those who can afford to make large donations to support their favorite causes.

It’s for everyone.

Philanthropy is something all of us can engage in, regardless of how much money we have, where we live, or how old we are. If you give your time, your knowledge, or your financial resources to help others, you are a philanthropist.

This idea is central to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s new Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) — an effort we launched earlier this year to engage with socially conscious young people who want to make a difference in our community.

The diverse group of 16-to-24-year-olds who are part of the inaugural YPC class were recruited from every corner of Fairfield County — and they are now taking part in a two-year program that immerses them in all aspects of professional philanthropy.

Each participant is learning the financial and organizational aspects of running a nonprofit — and is getting the chance to visit local nonprofits, volunteer, and explore key issues affecting our community.

At the end of the program, the students will review grant applications and award grants to support Fairfield County nonprofits — which participants say is the capstone to a program that will help them make a difference.

“What I hope to take away from the council is to be more empowered within myself,” said Julia Bassetto, 16, a rising senior at Fairfield Warde High School and a member of the first YPC class. “I’m excited to make impact, to become more educated on philanthropy, and work with fellow council members using the grant process to actually help people.”

While I’m excited about what these students will take away from this experience, I’m also energized by what they are teaching me and my colleagues at the Community Foundation.

The YPC is part of our commitment to bringing our work closer to the people we serve. So even as we are helping develop a new generation of nonprofit leaders through this program, we’re also listening and learning from this dynamic group of young people from across the region.

We’re hearing directly from young people, who have distinct perspectives and experiences, all of which is helping us get a more nuanced view of the issues facing teens and young adults in our county.  As a result, their voices are being directly incorporated into our strategies.

Equally as important, the Council is giving young people from different parts of our community the opportunity to better understand peers who have a different set of perspectives and life experiences than their own. This is the kind of work that breaks down the barriers and siloes that separate us and limit our collective potential.

Those who support the YPC are able to see their philanthropy echo through the next generation of Fairfield County philanthropists.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to invest in the future of our community and ensure that we can build a legacy of nurturing philanthropy in all its forms.

In Community,

Mendi Blue Paca
PRESIDENT & CEO
FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

P.S. ~ With your support, we can expand the Youth Philanthropy Council in the future. Consider a gift to FCCF’s Youth Education & Career Development Fund or reach out to set up a meeting to learn more about how you can get involved.