Greater Houston Community SUMMER 2015

YOUTH ON THE ROAD numbers YPC RESULTS FROM MAY CONFERENCE 92 attendees 6 outside YOUNGEST ATTENDEE: 5 years old Houston families YPC CONFERENCE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2 See PAGE TWO 36 Co-Chairs Houston Ernie D. and families Stephanie Cockrell

2015 Regional 1st YPC Conference

MANTLE OF CIVIC DUTY FALLS TO HOUSTON See PAGE THREE

8 6 Houston Breakout 1 area youth sessions 1 Microgrant decision-making

v Night at the museum session o e lu te n t t i by e with conference attendees ee m ag enc re om e and experi and microgrant finalists d o C n t ing he Youth Plann

Keynote discussion & youth panel featuring SUSAN PRICE author of Generous Genes: Raising Caring Kids in a Digital Age

GENERATION Z: GIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD See PAGE THREE

GRANTING YOUTH THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE See PAGE FOUR

ED TO: $2,000 $1,500 $1,500 RD CollegeCommunityCareer Young Adult Resource The River, WA A Center of the Theatre Under S T Salvation Army The Stars N A

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LAUNCHING A PLATFORM FOR YOUTH PHILANTHROPY IN THE HOUSTON REGION

© YAFFE|DEUTSER, 2015 PAGE ONE Q&A

What was the event? On May 2nd, 2015 at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, The Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) partnered with Youth Philanthropy Connect (YPC) to host the 1st 2015 Regional YPC Conference: Youth Philanthropy on the Road! The day- How did the conference bring long, multigenerational conference, adults and children together? co-chaired by Ernie D. and Stephanie How does GHCF help donors Why did GHCF partner with We made sure the conference was Cockrell, provided families the YPC for this event? engaging for youth. We had meetings and their children in their opportunity to connect to other youth for different age groups to show philanthropic efforts? and families involved in philanthropy, We started by listening to our how, depending on where you are We help donors figure out the best all within the Southwest region. donors and looking at the world of in life, there is a fit for everyone's way to engage their own children. Why should other youth or Throughout the day, participants philanthropy at large. This event philanthropic desires. This gave youth Every family is unique. We work both families get involved in youth explored various models and effective was a natural outgrowth of the a chance to prove themselves, to with individuals and families to create grant-making? practices in youth philanthropy, multigenerational work Houston take on philanthropic impact on their custom plans to meet their needs, connected with colleagues and peers families have already been doing in Multigenerational giving is a great own, and to take ownership. Parents and we offer engaging and innovative of other next generation boards, and philanthropy. Many of our donors have way to learn about the nonprofit who attended learned from their programs on topics that are relevant took home new tools and knowledge spoken to the importance of engaging world and to give back. When youth children and observed the capability to families. It’s also a matter of to enhance their work. Youth youth in philanthropy because they are involved in the community of youth in philanthropy. Now, parents connecting families: these connections Philanthropy on the Road is the first represent our future. This conference alongside their parents, it’s a learning and grandparents are equipped to allow passions to be explored. Young of five regional conferences to be held gave donors the platform to share experience on both ends: youth learn continue the conversations about people really like to work with other throughout the United States in 2015 their generosity and commitment to from the experience of their parents, what impact they can have with the young people - their friends, cousins, – a new format for YPC after four philanthropy with their children. This while parents learn that their children next generation. or other families. successful national conferences. was a first for us and the success have the power to make a difference. of the conference only inspires us to By connecting youth with older What is YPC? delve into it further in the future. What can Houston How do you think this generations, and families with other communities and older conference will inspire families, philanthropic impact only YPC is a special program of the continues to increase. Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation Why is youth philanthropy so generations do to increase Houston families moving based in Studio City, CA and has important? youth philanthropy? forward? been developed in partnership with Youth philanthropy is happening now, Any engagement with youth needs This conference showed Houston How did the Conference build other family foundations interested in so it isn’t a discussion as to when, to be developmentally appropriate. It families that there is an appetite for awareness? engaging youth in their work. When but how to facilitate it. Times have needs to be engaging and relevant to philanthropy in youth and that there Youth Philanthropy on the Road! the Youth Philanthropy Connect changed: Generation Z, the youth what will catch their interests. Helping are individuals and groups working highlighted the fact that there is an conference began, its focus was to born in the late 1990’s and 2000’s, youth find their passion and figuring to support youth philanthropy. With astounding amount of need but that engage youth, ages 8-21, specifically are limitlessly connected through out how they can use it to make a many people asking about the next there are great organizations out from family foundations. Now all social media and are independently difference in their philanthropic goal is conference, it is a revelation about there working incredibly hard to help types of foundations are a part of the involved in global and community key. Providing youth with the opportunity the passion youth already have in and bring about meaningful change conference representing a variety of issues. Empowering youth in their to be philanthropic is critical: this giving, and that engaging them and in our city. The conference further different models for engaging youth in connections and engaging them in exposure engages them and inspires connecting them to the critical issues revealed the criticality of engaging grantmaking from families to schools philanthropy are critical to the future them to make a difference in the of today will only further inspire their youth in building the next generation to communities. of our city and the world. future of their community. philanthropic passion. of philanthropic impact. 

PAGE TWO In her speech, Price centered her call After her talk, Price worked with two GENERATION Z: to action on engaging “Generation youth from the planning committee GIVING IN A DIGITAL WORLD Z,” the youth who were born into the to further explore the topic of age of technology in the late 1990’s philanthropy in a digital world. David On May 2nd, 2015, parents and youth Price is a well-known writer and and 2000’s. With the rise of social Warmack and Ashley Deutser shared gathered to attend Youth Philanthropy speaker from Washington D.C. and media, times have changed for this with her their philanthropic work, their on the Road!, a natural extension of former Vice President of the National generation: technology has exposed connections to philanthropy through Houston families’ multigenerational all ages in innumerable ways, giving social media, and their charitable work work in philanthropy. Many of Greater Technology has youth endless connections and with their parents. Deutser found her Houston Community Foundation’s exposed all ages empowering independence in the (GHCF) donors have spoken to the world of philanthropy. Giving as a family lets importance of educating youth on in innumerable At this key time in the evolution of generations learn philanthropy, but in a digital world ways, giving giving, Price revealed that in a world of from each other, and the generational gap needs to be youth endless limitless connection, the role of parents prioritizing it allows for addressed. There is no better person to connections and is helping youth understand and philanthropy to become do this than featured keynote speaker connect to the specific causes they’re empowering an interest rather than and author Susan Crites Price, who passionate about. It is this passion independence an obligation. gave her first talk since the launch that makes youth’s impact lasting. of her latest book, Generous Genes: in the world of Price further encouraged listeners Raising Caring Kids in a Digital Age. philanthropy. to remember the most important talk with Price invaluable: “I really connection: family. Giving as a family liked her because she was easy to Center for Family Philanthropy. Known lets generations learn from each other, talk to. It’s easy for us to connect to as a top expert on the topic of family and prioritizing it allows for philanthropy charities through social media, and 60% philanthropy, Price has immersed to become an interest rather than an she helped me think about how I can herself in the exciting but challenging obligation – a key factor in shaping of Gen Z work with my parents and further topic of connecting multiple Houston’s future for the better. (VERSUS 39% OF MILLENIALS) contribute to the evolution of giving.” say they want to change the world. generations with the goal of increasing philanthropic impact. Price’s presence at the conference inspired the families in attendance by reminding them of the empowering roles youth have in philanthropic impact. As Rachel Young, Marketing & Communications Associate at MANTLE OF CIVIC DUTY FALLS GHCF, pointed out, “Price’s talk revealed that there is an appetite TO HOUSTON YOUTH for philanthropy in youth, and that it’s up to families to engage them.” Editorial featured in the Houston Chronicle on May 16, 2015 Embracing the digital age and funneling Generation Z’s passions By Ashley Deutser | May 15, 2015 into philanthropic work inspires hope Fortunately, we live in a city that doesn’t ask the question whether or not to give. for the future of philanthropy.  The questions that are more often asked in Houston are: “When?”, “How?” and “Where?” The generosity that exists in our city is rooted in the history of Houston. We are who we are because of those who came before us. Philanthropic leaders and families, such as the Jones family, the Cullen family, the Cockrell family and many others, have had a vision and passion for our city. Their contributions have not only made an indelible impact on our city, but also set the foundation for my generation. Today, a giving spirit remains that permeates our city’s philanthropy. It is not simply the donating of money that defines us, rather the incredibly generous spirit of helping and giving. According to the most recent Center for Houston’s Future “Civic Vitality” report, Houston ranks third in the country for “Charitable Giving Rate.” According to that same report, adults in the region volunteered 122 million hours, collectively valued at $2.8 billion. And, in this past year alone, through the focus and giving spirit of its donors, Greater Houston Community Foundation helped charities across our city and state with more than $100 million in philanthropic gifts. Yet even with the generosity of those who have come before us, the fact remains that our city is inundated with need. Real need. The need is not limited to one area or one group - neighbors and friends are in need across our community. For example, according to the Houston Food Bank, every day 66,200 people in Houston are hungry - 5,000 of them children. Our city can and must do better. It doesn’t matter how old a person is to understand the dichotomy that exists in our city and in cities across the nation and globe. It doesn’t matter how old someone is to become part of the solution. The next generation of Houstonians will need to care as much about others as we do about ourselves. We can demonstrate that care by way of how we live, how we help and how we give - our time, talents and resources - regardless how limited. Being exposed to increasing need in our community through my leadership role on the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Connect Conference has opened my eyes and my heart to the plight of others. This family-focused philanthropic effort will set the foundation for the next generation of givers and doers to know that whatever we can give and do for our city and those in need matters. I used to think that only the high-dollar, big-named gifts were the ones that matter, but I have seen first- hand that every gift has value - whether making sandwiches for the hungry, raising money for school supplies, giving time to a nonprofit to support its administrative functions or to create cards or artwork for the elderly or sick. Giving comes in all different shapes, sizes and ways. We cannot wait for others to do what we can do today. It is clear that we are the next generation of givers. What we do and become will define not only our future, but that of our city and way of life. People are just beginning to look at those of us in “Generation Z,” and write about what we believe andhow we become involved. One thing is clear: Nothing will be defined about us until we do it. Giving starts at every age.  Deutser, a 10th-grade student at The Kinkaid School, is a member of Greater Houston Community Foundation/ Youth Philanthropy Connect Planning Committee.

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5120 Woodway , Suite 6000 Suite Drive, Woodway 5120

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Friday before the conference to the youth felt the impact of learning The conference closed the gap GRANTING interview youth representatives from from each other. Youth conference between generations. Not only did the five nonprofits. Martha House, a planner Jennifer Margolis - youth feel empowered, but the YOUTH THE youth conference planner, loved the adults realized that Houston’s future personal interaction this provided - “Everyone was from different is in good hands. Jennifer Touchet, POWER TO schools and had varying Donor Engagement Director of GHCF, MAKE A “After talking experience with philanthropy. applauded the maturity of the youth’s Each new perspective opened commitment to the grant process - to nonprofits’ my eyes and made me feel DIFFERENCE representatives, I special getting to be at an “Watching them work their event that was so diverse and When Greater Houston Community way through the grant process felt good because inspirational.” Foundation (GHCF) partnered with In the end, three worthy organizations was both impressive and I knew each one relieving because these youth Youth Philanthropy Connect (YPC) to received micro-grants from the are the future of Houston deserved the conference: CollegeCommunityCareer, host Youth Philanthropy on the Road!, philanthropy. It showed how one of the most impactful learning grants. I wish I Young Adult Resource Center of the powerful a really engaged experiences for youth at the conference could have given Salvation Army, and The River, a group of can be.” special program of Theatre Under was a hands-on grant-making process the grants to every to give away $5,000 to local nonprofits the Stars. The rousing success of this nonprofit that who applied. This process provided process highlighted the core message youth the ultimate opportunity to applied but it felt of the conference: that youth have the embrace their own philanthropic impact good to know that power to make a difference - and realize that they had the power to we would be able to make thoughtful decisions. help with what we The youth faced a challenging decision “This process was in deciding which nonprofits merited In the month leading up to the did have.” an eye-opener for conference, the youth planning the grants, but Steve Maislin, CEO of me and everyone committee read and scored grant GHCF, was impressed with the their else involved,” said thoroughness - proposals from 17 nonprofits (each House. “There is an Not only were the youth distributing of which was either started and “It was eye-opening to astounding amount grants, but they were also learning led by youth or had a youth focus) watch the youth working of need out there, but leadership, financial knowledge, and and selected five finalists. Youth together to discuss there are so many how to build their analytical skills. conference attendees gathered the the applicants and great organizations These are the lessons that will be debate their merits,” he that are doing things carried with each and every youth confided. “There was a to help people out attendee in the years to come, the passion and dedication in our community. It lessons that will impact Houston’s community and make the city a better On the day of conference, the youth driving each of them was an honor to learn place. The grant process beckoned to attendees convened once more to that was truly inspiring. from them and to also the future of philanthropy, paving the choose from the five finalists, factoring You could tell they see how we can help way for successful philanthropy within in their interviews from the night really cared about the bring about change the new generation.  before. Throughout the entire process, outcome.” ourselves.”

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