Be the Change Youth Giving Circle

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Why a Giving Circle for South Asian Youth?

Over the past decade, South Asians have become one of the fastest-growing demographics in the North Texas area and are projected to become the biggest immigrant group in the US by 2055. The giving circle offers a guide for philanthropic giving with an emphasis on teaching young people to become the leaders of tomorrow by starting today.

• Foster a culture of philanthropy in our youth and their families
• Provide social networks, leadership development, peer support, and collaborative learning
• Develop important life skills such as decision-making and collaboration while empowering youth as leaders in our community
• Build youth-adult partnerships through shared learning and participation

Read our story in the Dallas Morning News!

1st Grant Cycle Completed - 2018

The Be the Change Youth Giving Circle completed its first grant cycle with a membership of 25 families, including 47 youth between the ages of 6-18. Each family committed a minimum of $500 and several families took advantage of matching funds raising $12,000 in their first grant cycle. The youth members were involved throughout the grantee research and selection process. They explored issues impacting our community and the organizations that are working to address these concerns. Through a voting process, they nominated three nonprofits to receive grants of $3,500 each to the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Vogel Alcove and the Texas Campaign for Environment Fund. They visited the nonprofit grantees to meet the leadership teams, ask questions and participate in a site tour and a service project. They also participated in two service projects at the North Texas Food Bank and Love in Motion. 

2nd Grant Cycle Completed - 2019

The Be the Change Youth Giving Circle completed its second grant cycle with a membership of 23 families, including 40 youth between the ages of 6-18. Each family committed a minimum of $500 and several families took advantage of matching funds raising $18,800 in their second grant cycle. The youth members created their own grant application and invited over 2,000 nonprofits in Dallas and Collin County to submit their proposals. The shortlisted nonprofits presented at a pitch session to the members, who subsequently awarded $18,800 to six nonprofits in the community - Union Gospel Mission, Bryan's House, Rebuilding Together North Texas, Nexus Recovery Center, Heart House and Youth Believing in Change


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3rd Grant Cycle Details: Starting January 20, 2020

• A minimum contribution of $500 per family
• The Youth circle members will make a grant recommendation of a maximum of $10,000 per nonprofit in the North Texas area
• Communities Foundation of Texas will host a GiveWisely program for the families in the giving circle (parents and children). The goal of the GiveWisely program is to empower families to discover their core values and help them think critically about how they give.
• The youth members will create the grant application and invite over 2,000 nonprofits in Dallas and Collin County to submit their proposals. They will have the opportunity to review the applications and develop a short list based on criteria and discussions with fellow members. The shortlisted nonprofits will present at a pitch session to the members who will then vote on the final grant recipients.