High School Giving Circle Chooses 2017 Grants

In December, Lauren Renda, Program Associate is a happy elf, industriously writing holiday grants. She is especially delighted to work on the grants recommended by the 2016 High School Giving Circle. The Circle wraps up for the year this week. The Community Foundation staff will miss the 15 enthusiastic students’ energy and spirit. The students who made up the High School Giving Circle represent seven different local high schools: Davidson Academy, Galena, Reno, Wooster, Reed, Manogue and Damonte High. Over the 9-week session, the students researched their charitable interests and then invited representatives from local nonprofits to make their pitch and answer questions from the group. Last week, The Circle members had a tough meeting deciding upon the grant distribution from the deserving grant seekers. This year, the HSGC allocated $10,205 to 11 organizations: • Food Bank of Northern Nevada-Bridges Program, for stipends for investigators • Child Assault Prevention, for elementary education programs • Drakulich Art Foundation, to publish the annual book for Northern Nevada Veterans Writing Project • Holland Project, for workshop series & gallery exhibitions • Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, for youth education programs • Nevada Youth Empowerment Project, for tents & sleeping bags to be distributed at the Homeless Youth Point in Time Count • Northern Nevada HOPES, for the Syringe Services Program • Note-Able Music Therapy Services, for group music therapy sessions with The Eddy House • OUR Center, for their library project • Step 1, for operating costs • Step 2, for the Birthday Matters program and transportation costs A generous Community Foundation fundholder, who believes in sharing the joy that philanthropy brings, donated the money for the High School Giving Circle grants. Students leave the High School Giving Circle experiencing the power of philanthropy to make a positive difference. They learn about their values and articulate their hopes for our community. We believe this knowledge will motivate generosity and community involvement throughout their lives.