The Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County was pleased to host yesterday (July 31), together with the Ohio Grantmakers Forum, a conference on youth philanthropy. Thirty youth and community foundation staff members gathered to share ideas on youth-driven grantmaking. Many of the foundations represented are considering establishing such organizations and were inspired to hear 10 student grantmakers, including seven from our own “Youth Philanthropy Initiative,” talk about their very positive experiences in youth philanthropy.

Thanks to Kenyon College and Gund Gallery Director Natalie Marsh for making available the beautiful new Community Foundation Theater in the gallery. As a result of this conference I am sure a handful of new youth philanthropy organizations will be cropping up around the state. Our very productive conference was facilitated by Ms. Surabhi Pandit, the Youth Project Coordinator for the Council of Michigan Foundations. Michigan is recognized to be the national pacesetter in youth philanthropy with 86 youth advisory committees, representing every county in the state, in operation .