Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary of Philanthropy Terms:

What is a Network?

A group of people with similar interests and views who come together to share experiences using informal communication methods. This particular Network gives students the opportunity to share ideas and improve current philanthropic initiatives.

Philanthropist

A person who give his/her time and talent for the greater good of the community.

Community Foundation

A community foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, organization that exists to make it easy for people to actively participate in philanthropy and to build an endowment over time that can meet the ever changing needs of the community.

Community Service

A service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions

Service Learning

Connects learning objectives with identified community needs; it engages students in projects that helps the community while building their social capacities.

What is collaboration?

Collaboration involves at least two individuals working together towards a common goal by combining resources, creativity, and experiences. The Midwest Youth Philanthropy Network acknowledges these strengths as the primary means to move our mission forward.

Why collaborate?

Collaboration is really a win-win situation. The Midwest Youth Philanthropy recognizes collaboration as partners working together to create an atmosphere in which decision making is shared by both students and adults, each program is challenged to actively participate, and all are involved in the process of improving youth philanthropy, increasing awareness, and developing more youth philanthropy programs across the Midwest. We believe collaboration is dynamic and ever changing as it moves each program forward.

How does collaboration enhance each group?

Understanding: The youth are given the opportunity to learn how other youth philanthropy programs approach grant cycles, community service and new practices can adopted or adapted into their own program.

Build Relationships: Student and directors are encouraged to communicate on a regular basis to figure out the best ways to enhance and strengthen individual program capacities.

Create Opportunities: the students have begun exploring ideas related to best practices so that their programs will flourish. It is their hope that they can be a model for other groups across the Midwest who wish to begin a youth philanthropy program and become active members in the network.

Training and Conferences: the students have been given the chance to meet with professionals in the field as they learn the best ways to give grants, lead others, and celebrate diversity. These conferences also give students the chance to meet face-to-face and discuss the upcoming year’s events and activities.

Challenges of Collaboration

Distance: The expanse of miles between the groups has made it difficult to meet on a regular basis. This may cause confusion or lack of excitement, but with today’s technology, collaboration can be done using phone and video conferencing, e-mails, and websites to spread information and communicate.

Differing Opinions: When bringing six different groups together who all have different experiences and community backgrounds, there will be conflict, but the Midwest Youth Philanthropy Network has found that functional conflict gives the network a strong foundation based on creative approaches to communication, innovative meetings, and the continued attention to ever-changing needs.