AMES, Iowa – If young people can get together to plan school dances and organize intramural sports, why not bring them together to plan for philanthropy in their communities? That’s what the Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise program is doing through the Iowa Council of Foundations.

The council brings together private, public and corporate funders to make philanthropy more effective, said director Angela Dethlefs-Trettin. AmeriCorps member Joseph Piearson is making sure teens are included in decisions about how grant funds are spent in their communities. He helps them network and engages them in philanthropy.

“Joseph has done a wonderful job of helping communities see the value of having young persons at the decision-making table,” Dethlefs-Trettin said. “The more educated high school students are about community needs and issues — in particular, philanthropy — the more committed they are going to be as adults.”

Piearson said, “All the youth philanthropy programs that are out there aren’t really connected to each other. Over the past year and half we’ve seen a lot of success in branching out and reaching new organizations.”

He said that through his AmeriCorps role “we’ve been able to bring them all to the table …  to learn from each other and network. We’re working with 17 counties in Iowa that have existing youth philanthropy programs … and many, many more organizations and foundations who are interested in starting youth philanthropy programs.”

One success is the Teen Trust Program, based out of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa. The Teen Trust has existed for about 15 years, each year engaging 20 to 30 high school students in the grant-making process.

“Each year the students give out $10,000 within their community and also work on volunteer projects. The money goes to a variety of organizations. Once all of the applications come in, the students sit down and decide what the best way would be to divide the money and which organizations best fit their mission,” Piearson said.

It’s encouraging to watch the teens’ growth, Piearson continued. “We’re seeing students more interested in pursuing a career in the nonprofit world … more active in their communities, who know how to take social responsibility. They have a much greater understanding of where the need actually is in their communities.”

He said his work with the Iowa Council of Foundations fulfills the five promises of the Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise program:
• helping youth build relationships with caring adults
• offering youth safe places with structured activities
• providing a healthy start for bodies, minds, and smart habits for adulthood
• teaching marketable skills
• providing opportunities for community service

Volunteers like Piearson are part of the Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise program hosted by Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development in collaboration with Iowa’s Promise and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. These AmeriCorps members serve with youth development programs in communities across the state. Membership is open to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents age 17 and older.

“The program encourages people to be involved and helps them accomplish things for their communities,” said Judy McCarthy, ISU Extension’s director for the program. “AmeriCorps members help solve problems, bring communities together and set an example of caring and community spirit that America needs.”

AmeriCorps Week is May 9-16. Learn more at http://www.americorpsweek.gov/.

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Get more information about Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise.

Listen to an interview with Joseph Piearson and Angela Dethlefs-Trettin.