Cd. Juarez, a city where nearly half of the population of 2 million is between the ages of 15 and 35, the local community foundation has developed a uniquely Mexican approach to inspiring giving and civic participation among its young people. The Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte’s Youth in Philanthropy Program provides financial support and guidance to groups of young people with a desire to make a difference in their community. Through a partnership with six local youth serving nonprofit organizations the program provides financing and guidance to young people that have formed a Youth Council. The councils develop and put forth proposals for a project that will benefit the community. Once approved by the foundation, the councils are awarded a $700 USD grant and are assigned an adult advisor to help carry out their project. The Youth Council is also responsible for matching 10% of the grant with resources they have themselves raise in support of the effort.

In just two years, more than 239 youth have participated in 20 youth councils directly benefitting over 1920 Juarenses. David, age 15, who participated in a project named Munau Ecologico - a projected that succeeded at mobilizing broad community participation in a park revitalization project - shared in a letter of appreciation to FCFN board members:

“Participating in this program has changed my life in many ways and I believe has also made me a better person. The opportunity to participate in projects that benefit the community is an experience that I can share with others and I can use to motivate other young people like me to help improve the community. My group also learned about developing programs, needing to know where we want to get to, how to help and who needs to benefit and manage the resources to make it happen. Helping others is a way of showing that we care about our community.”

Resources made available by the BPP helped support the development of the FCFN youth program. The foundation’s BPP coach helped identify and arrange a site visit with the Vancouver Community Foundation and Barbara Oates a leading expert on the topic of Youth in Philanthropy with the Community Foundations of Canada so that the FCFN could learn more about youth in philanthropy programming. Travel expenses were covered by BPP technical assistance funds.

For more information about the work of the Fundación Comunitaria de la Frontera Norte visit www.fcfronteranorte.org