Youth Giving Project Empowers Local Youth to Distribute $15,000 to Gallatin County Nonprofits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2024

CONTACT:

Anna Burkholder | Marketing & Communications Manager
One Valley Community Foundation
(406) 587- 6262 ext. 60
anna@onevalley.org
onevalley.org

Youth Giving Project Empowers Local Youth to Distribute $15,000 to Gallatin County Nonprofits
One Valley Community Foundation’s Youth-Led Initiative Celebrates 10 Years and $100,000 in Grants Distributed to Address Community Needs.

Gallatin County, MT — On Tuesday, ten local youth gathered at the Bozeman Public Library for the final session of One Valley Community Foundation’s Youth Giving Project. Over the past month, these young leaders met weekly, diving into the world of philanthropy by learning about local needs, volunteering, and ultimately running a grant cycle to distribute $15,000 to nonprofits across Gallatin County.

Youth Giving Project aims to inspire the next generation by introducing them to community challenges and empowering them to play an active role in finding solutions. During the final session, participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, carefully reviewing grant applications to identify urgent needs and projects with the potential to create significant impact. After a collaborative decision-making process, they awarded $15,000 across five organizations:

  • Family Promise of Gallatin Valley

  • Bozeman Public Library Foundation

  • Bienvenidos a Gallatin Valley

  • READ Montana

  • Montana Conservation Corps

The selected projects will address critical issues, from providing winter clothing to immigrants to offering free lunches for local youth.

“It is important for young people to give back to their community because we have a different perspective and can bring new insights and thoughts into the conversation,” shared Youth Giving Project participant Rowan Keith. “I think we bring a lot to the table, and it’s often overlooked.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Youth Giving Project has reached an impressive milestone of granting $100,000 to local nonprofits over the past decade.

“One Valley’s Youth Giving Project allows young leaders to discover how their actions can impact their communities,” said Bridget Wilkinson, President & CEO of One Valley Community Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see the passion and thoughtfulness these students bring to the process of giving. By guiding youth to learn about local needs and make impactful funding decisions, we’re fostering a new generation of community leaders committed to creating positive change.”

The Youth Giving Project has been made possible through a partnership with Foundant Technologies, whose continued support has helped the program grow and thrive. “Being part of the Youth Giving Project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I've witnessed firsthand how passionate and committed young people are to making a difference in their communities,” said Alli Hansen, Digital Content Manager at Foundant Technologies. “Their creativity, empathy, and dedication have shown me how impactful youth-led initiatives can be, and I've learned so much from watching them take ownership of the process, shaping a brighter future through their actions.”

This year’s program was also generously supported by Andrea and Michael Manship and the Doll Family Foundation.

For more information on the Youth Giving Project, please visit onevalley.org/youth-giving-project or contact Anna Burkholder, Marketing & Communications Manager at One Valley Community Foundation, at anna@onevalley.org or 406.587.6262 ext. 60.

About One Valley Community Foundation

One Valley Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter, ensuring everyone can thrive in Gallatin County. By matching donors with the causes they believe in, focusing financial resources to drive change, supporting other nonprofits with essential tools and opportunities, and serving as a community facilitator, One Valley helps build a strong, vibrant community in Gallatin County. Signature initiatives include Give Big Gallatin Valley, a 24-hour giving day that has raised over $17.4 million for local nonprofits, and the Gallatin County Regional Housing Coalition, which brings together diverse partners to address local housing challenges. For more information, visit www.onevalley.org.

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Youth Giving ProjectAnna Burkholder2024