"PhilanthroTeens" Choosing Grant Recipient with SV2

February 17, 2012 – In an age when social critics are bemoaning the rise of the “Me” Generation, SV2 (Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund) has turned the tables. The Bay Area’s leading partnership for engaged philanthropy is guiding local students in learning the art of philanthropy.

From now through April, 35 middle and high school students are coming together for seven training sessions that inspire broad and deep learning about what nonprofit organizations are, how to think about giving money effectively, and how to select an issue area to focus on. Ultimately, the PhilanthroTeens will choose an organization to receive a $5,000 to $10,000 grant. The students are the children of SV2 donors, and they attend several different schools in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, including Pinewood, St. Francis, Palo Alto High, Castilleja, Menlo Atherton, Menlo, Sacred Heart Prep, Woodside High, and Nueva.

Launched in 2009, the SV2 Teen Philanthropy program has graduated 60 in its first three years (14 in 2009, 20 in 2010, and 25 in 2011). The returning high school students comprise this year’s Leadership Committee. SV2 donors and staff help run the sessions, but the teens are the leaders and decision-makers in the program. Throughout the Spring, the PhilanthroTeens volunteer at three non-profits that work to alleviate poverty, and then debate the strengths and challenges of each organization and decide how to allocate their grant dollars between the three organizations.

“We are so proud to be training the next generation of Bay Area philanthropists,” says SV2 Executive Director Lindsay Austin Louie. “It’s amazing to see how the the teens mature and become engrossed in social issues over the course of only 21 hours of meetings.”

The SV2 Teen Philanthropy program has a profound impact on the teen participants. “Before I started the SV2 Teens program three years ago, I was not excited to spend my Sundays there,” recalls Alex Stitt, a senior at Pinewood. “Now I look forward to every session and know that I am making a difference in the world, locally and internationally.” Katie Kirsch, a senior at Castilleja School, added, “SV2 has taught me that I can make a difference in the world, even though I'm just a kid, and then has showed me how to get started.”

Photo & Interview Opportunities:
Members of the press are invited to come photograph sessions of the SV2 Teen Philanthropy program, in addition to conducting interviews. Please RSVP to Holly Goodliffe (650-454-6264 or holly@sv2.org) if you would like to attend:

Sunday, March 4, 2:00-5:00pm
Service Project and Site Visit to 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto

Sunday, March 25, 2:00-5:00pm
Service Project and Site Visit at Nonprofit

Sunday, April 22, 2:00-5:00pm
Grant Decision & Allocation Meeting

Sunday, April 29, 2:00-5:00pm
Graduation & Check Presentation Ceremony

Available for Interview:
- Lindsay Austin Louie, Executive Director, SV2
- Alex Stitt, senior, Pinewood School
- Katie Kirsch, senior, Castilleja School
- Other PhilanthroTeens and their parents

Multimedia:
To watch a video of the 2010 SV2 Teen program, please visit http://www.sv2.org/page/teen-philanthropy

About SV2 - Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund
SV2 is a high-impact giving circle. Our donors (“Partners”) pool their skills, energy, ideas, and money ($5-25K annually) to make a bigger, more meaningful difference than any one person could make alone. Our 100 Partners together decide which cutting‐edge nonprofits will receive SV2’s 3-year grants ($100-150K each) in the areas of Education, Environment, and International Development. Embracing the “venture philanthropy” model, Partners select Grantees that have proven models and are at crucial inflection points in their organizational development, and Partners offer professional advising to help each Grantee build capacity and scale up, not just pay for current programs. Founded by Laura Arrillaga‐Andreessen in 1998, SV2’s mission stretches beyond helping Grantees - SV2 Partners become more strategic lifelong philanthropists as they select and advise Grantees, attend SV2 educational events, and learn from one another. For more information please visit www.sv2.org.

Back to Press Releases