Philanthropy Fund Teaches Youth to Pay It Forward
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- When the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals host the 25 Under 35 Awards Feb. 1, recognizing the honorees (READ STORY) for their professional achievements and contributions to the community is only one aspect. Another is teaching young people the importance of philanthropy.
The event raises money for the Young Philanthropists Fund, which introduces younger generations to philanthropy and aims to prepare them for roles in the philanthropic community.
Julie Scarsella participated eight years ago in the initial discussions with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley that led to the creation of the fund. At the time, she was a board member of the MVP 20/30 Club, as the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals group was then called. The club was interested in having a charitable component as well as a community event that would raise awareness of itself. The Young Philanthropists Fund was the result.
“It suited the needs of both organizations to create the fund to educate the youth in philanthropy but also to recognize young professionals who have given back to their community, excelled in their fields and make people realize there isn’t the ‘brain drain’ effect that people talk about,” says Scarsella, today director of marketing and development at the Community Foundation.
Patricia Brozik, president of the Community Foundation, sees the Young Philanthropist Fund as playing an important role in the community.
“Giving is generational,” Brozik begins. “A couple of generations back, a lot of money was being made in the community. The wealthy families teach philanthropy. It’s a way of life.”
But then the Valley went through a generation where little wealth was accumulated, creating what she calls a “gap in the philanthropic spectrum. It’s important to cultivate that so philanthropy continues in our community.”
Involvement in the fund provides participants with “a real level of awareness,” Brozik says. “They begin to understand more about our community and more about what the needs are in our community.”
A board that encompasses MVYP members, students at Youngstown State University and representatives of Youth Leadership Mahoning Valley and the Community Foundation determine the focus of the grants, accept and review grant applications, make on-site visits and determine who will be funded, Scarsella says.
“They gain a full understanding of what it is to review the charities in the area and how difficult it can be to give away money,” Scarsella says. “It’s a long process. We make sure that there’s reporting that comes back. It teaches them that when they give money, they must know how the money was spent.“
That accountability is not only important to the foundation but to the board members so they can assure future donors how their money is spent and ensure that it will be spent based on their wishes.
To date the fund has provided money for a peer-to-peer program at Kirkmere Elementary School to educate students about the dangers of smoking and to Casa Madre, a house in Youngstown that supports children infected or affected by HIV or AIDS.
“We’ve given to the Warren YWCS. We’ve given to the Youngstown Police Athletic League. All of the causes have been centered around kids,” Scarsella says.
Nayef Zarrour, who has served nearly five years on the fund’s board, says he was approached about participating while he was at YSU studying accounting. “I’m very passionate about philanthropy, about giving back to the community,” as well as setting an example, he says.
Graduating from YSU three years ago, Zarrour says he has enjoyed professional and personal benefits from participating in the grant-making process. His participation introduced Zarrour to grant-writing and put him in a position to interact with bank managers and accountants, providing an opportunity to improve his skills.
Zarrour also found it personally satisfying to help others and see firsthand the benefits such help brings to their lives. “All of the projects we’ve done are helping somebody help somebody else,” he remarks.
Editor's Note: This story appeared in the "25 Under 35" extra edition of The Business Journal. CLICK HERE to subscribe.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.