Changing Misconceptions -- Lessons from GPS 2016

By: Rhea

Rhea participated in

Allowance for Good'

s 2016

Global Philanthropy Summit

in June. 

The Global Philanthropy Summit Program gave me an entirely new perspective on philanthropy and contribution. When I went into this program, like most teens my age, I didn’t have a clear understanding of philanthropy. I learned that philanthropy is so much more than adults donating money; philanthropy is the contribution of time, ties, talent, and treasure by anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or background.

At GPS, we were able to meet with many different philanthropic organizations and foundations, and my eyes were opened on so many new levels on philanthropy. For example, we met with

V!ng

, who empowers teens with giving them the opportunity to help out those in need. By sending videos to V!ng on who you think deserves $1,000 in your life, you have the chance of being selected and actually being able to give $1,000 to someone in need in your life. I worked with V!ng to create a video, and this gave me the chance to realize that regardless of my age, I can make a difference in someone’s life. This was a major lesson I learned from GPS, because like most, I used to think that someone had to be of a certain status to be able to philanthropize and make a difference. GPS, V!ng, and so many other speakers changed this common misconception.

Another big take away that I learned from GPS was that I can make a change in the world now, simply by volunteering my time and talent, using my ties, and giving my treasure to help a cause that I believe in. GPS was really able to expand my horizons and open my eyes to all the different kinds of philanthropic work that I can do. For example, we met with

World Bicycle Relief

who donate high quality bicycles to those in need in Africa. People like students, merchants, or doctors in Africa all benefit very highly from a single bicycle that helps them increase productivity, and give them a better life overall. After talking to them, I realized that a simple everyday object can make such a huge difference to someone in need. This got me thinking about how I can make simple, yet huge, changes in my community, or maybe even globally.

One piece of advice I would tell to future GPS participants is that they should maintain an open mind in order to better prepare them for the week. GPS took us to many different speakers, who worked in vast ranges of philanthropy. Maintaining an open mind allowed me to consider all options. I believe that future participants should enter GPS with a rough idea about what they want to take away or get from the whole experience, and maintaining an open mind about learning really offers a whole new perspective on philanthropy.

Overall, the Global Philanthropy Summit was able to alter my view on life completely, and I recommend it to any teen who wants to make a change in this world.

Soles for Kids: AfG Youth Giving Back

Children living in poverty lack many of life's most basic necessities, including a good pair of shoes. Three Allowance for Good youth chose to tackle this issue and give more children across the world the comfort of a good pair of shoes.

Charlie, Danny, and Tim participated in Allowance for Good's Fall 2015 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy class in the Elmhurst location.

After their participation in the ELP program, Charlie, Danny, and Tim decided to start their own project - a shoe drive for Soles for Kids. Soles for Kids is an incredible charity that collects used, not abused, shoes and soccer balls to distribute to children worldwide. They have distributed shoes to children in need in Africa, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.

The three AfG youth organized a shoe donation drive at York High School during a basketball game, where they collected 72 pairs of shoes. They also raised $75 to put towards shipping costs.

All the shoes they collected were given to Soles for Kids and sent to children in Tanzania. These young men acted as agents of change in their community, and their efforts will have significant effects far from their homes. Allowance for Good is proud to see them serving as global citizens and making a difference in the lives of many children.

If interested in running your own shoe drive, you can find more information about donating to Soles for Kids here.

A Lesson in Corporate Philanthropy

By: Therese

Therese participated in Allowance for Good's Spring 2016 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy class in the Elmhurst location.



"I am a Catalyst for Good because... I believe all people have the right to be educated no matter what the situation." - Therese

Corporate philanthropy is when a business helps others in need by donations or by spending time. I learned that companies can cause a positive change because they can help others, encourage other companies and consumers to help others that are in need. In addition, corporate philanthropy can help a community to become involved in a cause by using their products or bringing the company together by physically helping out others. In addition, being a corporate sponsor provides a positive image for the company itself, which leads to more sales and tax benefits. When I am in the working world, I would make sure that the company (or my company) would donate or support an organization and do physical work to help out those who need help. Overall, corporate philanthropy is important because it gets large companies to help out smaller originations and others that need donations and action.



Empowering Chicago Students: AfG's Collaboration with Chicago Youth Philanthropy Group

By: Isabelle Canaan

Isabelle has double duty as Chairman for Education and Co-chair on the Executive Board for the Chicago Youth Philanthropy Group. CYPG, a student organization at University of Chicago, was Allowance for Good's first Allow Good collaboration. They strive to "empower the community, one student at a time." In partnership with CYPG, we are teaching over 200 students on Chicago’s South Side at King College Prep High School and Kenwood Academy. CYPG has also acted as our working partner to develop an additional AfG chapter at Northwestern University. 

A black, lesbian, obese, bad feminist, Roxane Gay is the exemplary fighter.  Against the backdrop of Black Lives Matter, a feminist rebirth, and a re-examination of societal values, she, in a talk last fall, discussed allyship. An ally is not a passive role. You have to act, but must do so in a restrained manner, walking the fine line between being a spokesperson, but not THE spokesperson. You must actively fight for a cause without donning it. 

It is so easy now to pick up the banner of injustice, but without authenticity, sometimes when speaking for another you actually harden divisions. Every week, as part of the Chicago Youth Philanthropy Group (CYPG), I discuss current events with public high school juniors and seniors on Chicago’s Southside. Our goal is to give the students a safe space to champion issues and voice discontent. Yet, it would be disingenuous for me, someone who did not go through their experience, to stand in the spotlight or drown them out. As an ally, I have a responsibility to fight, but I should never forget that I am an accessory to their cause. 

My role is a mentor and a facilitator, but also a fellow student. We college students, we are often trapped in an academic and social bubble, viewing the city through the prism of our campus. CYPG has been my way to connect with the neighborhoods beyond the ivory tower and the echo chamber that is academia. My students offer a different, arguably “real-er” perspective. They do not have the luxury of stepping away into the library and forgetting about the discrimination, danger, and dysfunction that exists on the Southside. They confront these issues on a daily basis and it is exceptionally rewarding to see the classroom dynamic succeed. When a student can get up and share a personal anecdote about a time in their lives when they were directly confronted with one of the issues we discuss, the classroom atmosphere succeeds. A safe environment allows students to share openly, without fear of judgment. 

After creating a safe environment, the next most important role as a teacher is to push the students to remain hopeful and to really believe in their individual power to change. There are times when the students will sigh and say, “Nothing’s going to change”, but we must show them that they have the power to create change, no matter how small and no matter how gradual.

Lessons in Corporate Philanthropy

By: Tim
Tim is a participant in Allowance for Good's Fall 2015 Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy class in the Elmhurst location. 

"I am a catalyst for good because... I want to improve the world" Tim, at the ELP Elmhurst class.

Corporate philanthropy is the giving of profits or resources from a corporation to a charitable cause. When asked about philanthropy, most people think about cash.  However, facilities, services, and time are also considered types of philanthropy.

Certain employers offer matching gifts programs.  With matching gifts, a company will match an employee’s cash donation to an eligible nonprofit organization at some set ratio. With grants, the company provides a nonprofit with money to accomplish an agreed-upon purpose.  The company can also provide volunteer grants, in which the time of the corporation’s employees is also donated.

Reasons for corporate philanthropy could come from a commitment to the common good, a sense that the company is making a community investment, or even that it is a good marketing tool. Whatever the reason, research has shown that corporations with sound corporate philanthropy perform better than those without it. Emily taught me that corporations should have a social responsibility toward philanthropy.  She taught me that employees of a corporation play a significant role in corporate philanthropy.  Using matching gifts, employees can make a larger donation to their charity.

Employees can also donate their time and expertise, which can be as valuable as money. If a corporation doesn’t currently have a philanthropy program, the employee can be instrumental in providing rationale as to why corporate philanthropy is important and then assisting the company in setting one up. When I am in the working world, I can see myself becoming involved in philanthropy by providing donations of both time and money. I enjoy working with other people towards a common goal, and employing our unique abilities to accomplish it.