A new group of high school students is encouraging youth leadership and community involvement in philanthropy.
Tiffin Charitable Foundation has started Youth Advisory Council, which is made up of 12 juniors and seniors from area high schools. The council is to visit organizations and then help administer grants in the spring.
"Their counselors at their schools made recommendations (about who should participate) to us," said Jodie Reinbolt, administrator of Tiffin Charitable Foundation.
Article Photos
PHOTO BY JILL GOSCHE
Rebecca Herner (left), director of Court Appointed Special Advocates, speaks to members of Youth Advisory Council at CASA’s office Nov. 15.
Reinbolt estimated the foundation's board was interested in the idea for the past year, and the foundation is using a model from Erie County.
"We visited with the people in Erie County, and they helped us a lot," she said.
Reinbolt said the group is going to meet Tuesday mornings once a month and plans to visit a charitable organization during each meeting over the next five months.
Fact Box
How to apply
Tiffin Charitable Foundation welcomes grant applications from public and private organizations in Tiffin and Seneca County that are tax exempt or are organized for a charitable purpose, according to information from the foundation.
Qualified tax-exempt entities seeking financial assistance can request a grant application by e-mailing adm@tiffinfoundation.org, going to www.tiffinfoundation.org, visiting the foundation at 68 S. Washington St., Tiffin, or calling (419) 448-1791. Completed grant applications can be mailed to The White Family Charitable Fund Youth Advisory Committee, in care of Tiffin Charitable Foundation, 68 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH 44883.
Applications are due by March 31, and Youth Advisory Council is to make its final recommendations in April. Recommendations are to receive final approval or denial from Tiffin Charitable Foundation's board of trustees.
The group's first agency visit was to Court Appointed Special Advocates Nov. 15.
"It went really very well," said Debbie Gerschutz, the council's adviser.
Reinbolt said Tiffin Charitable Foundation provided grant money to CASA several months ago to purchase a fingerprinting machine it is able to use for its volunteers. The machine also is able to be used for people who walk in for a small fee, she said.
"Some of (the students) got fingerprinted," she said.
Reinbolt said they were amazed at the number of volunteers it takes for CASA to keep operating, and she thinks they learned a lot.
"The kids asked a lot of questions," she said.
Reinbolt said officials want the students to learn about philanthropy in the community, learn about what the needs are in Seneca County and learn what kinds of organizations exist to help meet the needs. They also want them to be given the opportunity to provide advice on grants.
The youths are to give that consulation when White Family Charitable Fund of Tiffin Charitable Foundation turns over $9,000 in April. The foundation has had some interest from other foundations in the county that might like to put money into the pool and allow the students to do granting on their behalf, too, Reinbolt said.
As students visit the organizations, they are asking organizations to submit applications if they have needs.
Organizations are to apply to the group, with March 31 as the deadline. Students are going to make recommendations about which organizations should receive funds, and the foundation board is to approve their recommendations.
"They can pick grants that will benefit the youth of Seneca County, but they don't have to," Reinbolt said.
Reinbolt said she hopes to make Youth Advisory Council an ongoing project. Juniors are to continue in the program next year, and a new group of juniors is to join it.
Gerschutz said officials are hoping to encourage students to go back and share their experiences with their high school peers.
"We'd like it to grow," she said.
