Teen Grantmaking Council

The Community Foundation has partnered with Greensboro Parks and Recreation Youth First and the national Youth Leadership Initiative to form the Teen Grantmaking Council. The Council is an opportunity for youth across greater Greensboro to gain leadership experience, meet area youth, voice opinions and make a difference by making grants to youth-directed projects that address community issues. CFGG believes that youth in Greensboro should have the opportunity to turn ideas into reality. The program is designed to train young leaders to make decisions about which youth projects in the community will receive money. This year's Teen Grantmaking Council represents fourteen high schools in Guilford County.

Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Teen Grantmaking Council - Attn: Traci Poole
PO Box 20444
Greensboro, NC  27420

Time, Talent and Treasure—All Play a Role

 Lindsay Smith is a dancer.  In her senior year at Weaver Academy for Performing and Visual Arts, her community involvement had her both on and off the stage.  “Dancing is my talent, and as I give of my time, performing at elementary schools, I am empowering others, inspiring children to become involved in the arts,” she said.  Off stage, she was selected to frequent the Community Foundation Boardroom as one of the youth chosen to participate in the Teen Grantmaking Council. This two-year-old program involves 25 community teens, competitively selected through an application process, who as a group evaluate grant applications for programs benefiting the youth of the city.  In the past year, this committee has provided grants to 12 diverse groups, such as For Girls By Girls, an inspirational group that works to empower young women; the Girl Scouts Spring Fling, an arts and crafts event; and a rendition of Flowers for Algernon by the Page High School Playmakers. Smith has been both flattered and inspired by this program.  “It’s important for teens to learn about giving their time and talent, as well as treasure to their community.  This opportunity has taught me the meaning of philanthropy, and it has been empowering to have adults entrust us with decisions regarding a large sum of money.  Many times, we think of philanthropy as only the giving of money, but one’s time and talent also play a role.  Time spent working at a soup kitchen can be worth just as much as a contribution of money.  Your smiling face may mean more to someone than if you had given a few dollars.” 

2006-2007 Teen Grantmaking Council Grants



Girl Scouts: By Girls for Girls: Celebration and service project for older girl scouts

Early College at Guilford: FIRST Robotics Club: Science and technology outreach project

Early College at Guilford: Dance Team: Educational sessions on images and body image perception

Girls Inc. of Guilford County: Body image and relationship programming

Greensboro Youth Council: Greensboro Artistry Awards

GSAFE Student Network: Advertising for Gay-Straight Alliance program

Life Teen Youth Group: Film Festival on local youth service projects

Men of Distinction: School mural project

Page High School Playmakers: Performance concerning issues of mental retardation

Sierra Club of Grimsley: Educational garden created for Peeler Elementary

Positive Youth Together: Workshops on love, sex, money and power

SEAL Club at Western Guilford High School: Creation of high school recycling program

Welborn Middle School SAVE Club: Spring carnival

Page High School Softball: Softball clinic for high school girls

Tribe of Praise! (TOP): Gospel concert