Philanthropic Actions for Youth (PAY Team)

 Our "PAY Team" - A Little Background

The Community Foundation has three levels of community involvement:

• Raising endowment funds (money that is invested and the earned income used for charitable purposes)
• Awarding grants to qualified charitable organizations.
• Community Leadership – identifying community needs and taking as leadership role to facilitate a positive outcome. This may involve organizing meetings, finding appropriate resources such as volunteers or equipment, or seed funding.

In the fall of 1998, some of our donors and supporters expressed concern about the lack of participation of young people in the Foundation. Because the strength of tomorrow lies in the youth of today, they decided to do something very new and pro-active – something that would focus on Philanthropic Actions for Youth.

Research indicated that in some other communities across Canada youth endowment funds had been established. The income from these funds would be used to support a variety of youth related charitable organizations and projects.

What made this idea unique was that a youth committee was formed to advise and recommend how the income was to be spent – youth giving to youth.

It was decided to introduce this idea here in South Eastern Alberta.

About the PAY Team

The Board got to work and set up our own Youth Endowment Fund.  Excellent community support got us off to a flying start and within a very short time, more than $50,000 had been raised.  Today the endowment fund has grown to nearly $130,000.

Some great projects they have awarded grants for are:

• Cantera Safe House in Brooks-2007
• Support to the Community Awareness and Respect education program run the Canadian Red Cross - 2005
• Concrete tarmac for playground (Brooks) - 2003
• Dogs for Drug Free Schools - Medicine Hat Police Service - 2005
• Music lessons for underprivileged youth - 2002
• Students Against Drinking and Driving -2002
• School Van Fundraiser (Oyen) - 2003
• School/Community Events (Ralston) - 2002

The PAY Team is always changing.  With some very active youth in our community, busy with after school activities, moving on to further education or moving into the workforce we are always seeking new members to join The PAY Team.

What Schools / Youth Agencies Can Do

The Pay Team needs re-energizing and we are looking to school administrators and youth leaders to help us with new members.