WASHINGTON, DC - On Saturday, March 16, 2013, five DC nonprofits will compete for $10,000 in grants funded by 50 Capital Cause Young Philanthropists, many of whom are entry-level professionals. Nonprofits will present innovative projects that if funded, will creatively address the issues of educational disparity and unemployment in the Washington, DC area. Young Philanthropists will democratically select the top three projects that demonstrate the capacity to provide lasting but measurable impact in the Washington, DC community.
Young Philanthropist Giving Circles are emerging as a new way to involve young people in creating change in the Washington, DC community. The brainchild of Capital Cause - a nonprofit that enables a new generation of young philanthropists to maximize their charitable impact through collective giving - Giving Circles Projects were launched in 2012 as a way to build capacity in start-up and mid-level nonprofits.
Last year, Capital Cause Young Philanthropists (18 – 30 years) funded $5,000 in grants to nonprofits serving six of DC’s eight Wards. They also contributed 3,600 hours in skills-based support to nonprofits seeking professional assistance on projects.
Before supporting their selected nonprofit, Young Philanthropists will participate in three power sessions designed to teach best practices on funding sustainable organizations through planned giving. Nonprofit leaders facilitating power sessions include Pat Pasqual, Executive Director of the Foundation Center and Glen O'Gilvie, CEO of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.
Darla Bunting, Capital Cause Director, will manage this year’s Giving Circles Projects.
“It is my goal to successfully equip this cycle's Giving Circles Project participants with a variety of tools and skill sets that will empower them to be young philanthropists that affect change in their communities through collective giving and service,” says Bunting. For More Information About Giving Circles Projects: www.capitalcause.com/events.
About Capital Cause
Capital Cause is a fiscally-sponsored 501c3 nonprofit that enables a new generation of young philanthropists to maximize their charitable impact through collective giving. Capital Cause was founded in 2009 by five women who wanted to involve young people in transforming their communities through philanthropic acts. The brainchild of Kezia M. Williams - who volunteered in 2008 for a grassroots group supporting President Obama's 2008 campaign - Capital Cause has grown to 5,000 supporters invested in the idea of young philanthropy. The Young Philanthropists reject the notion that you have to be wealthy, older and well-established in order to be called a “philanthropist.” For example:
- 100% of Capital Cause Young Philanthropists are 21 – 35 years of age
- 65% of Capital Cause Young Philanthropists are entry-level young professionals (less than 3 years’ work experience)
- 70% of Capital Cause Young Philanthropists make less than $50,000
To learn more, visit capitalcause.com.
Related Post: DC Young Professionals Honor Local Heroes During CBC Annual Conference
Photo: Capital Cause board, volunteers and grant recipients at their Young Philanthropist Industry Brunch event held in June 2012.