Inspiring the next generation of philanthropists
Each year, a group of Jewish teens in the Valley learns about being philanthropists and grantmakers through the Jewish
Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix’s B’nai Tzedek Youth Philanthropy Program. The program was initiated by the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation in Western Massachusetts and was launched locally in fall 2005. Since then, more than 400
teens have participated in the program, which is directed by Andrea Cohen. Here, two teens, who serve as members of the
Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Board, share their motivation for giving and their experience with the program.

By Jake Miller
P hilanthropy has been a part of my
life for as long as I can remember.

As an avid reader, when I was in
fifth grade, I collected books to take to
a shelter near my house. Twice a month,
I brought books and read to children. I
always left happy knowing that the kids
enjoyed being read to and would con-
tinue to read the books after I left.

In seventh grade, I opened my B’nai
Tzedek youth philanthropy fund with
money that I received from my bar
mitzvah. I was told that each year I
would be able to donate to nonprof-
its of my choice. That same year, my
sister had joined the B’nai Tzedek
Youth Philanthropy Board. One day,
she explained to me the grant-making
process and how each organization is
vetted and evaluated carefully. I real-
ized that by granting my own money
to Jewish nonprofits, I could make a
change in my community. Since then,
I have enjoyed working at shelters, my
synagogue and especially Camp Swift,
where I have been a camp counselor to
underprivileged children.

In ninth grade, I was excited to be
selected to serve on the B’nai Tzedek
Jake Miller helps present a $1,800
check from the JCF Youth Philanthropy
Board to Arizona Helping Hands to
help fund its program for foster kids.

Photo courtesy of JCF
Youth Philanthropy Board. I learned a
lot while deciding funding priorities. I
enjoyed volunteering at nonprofits in
the community with the Tikkun Olam
Tour and I struggled making grant
26 BEST OF JEWISH PHOENIX 2017
decisions since every nonprofit needed
funding. My favorite part was seeing
the smiles on people’s faces during
check presentations.

This year, I was chosen to serve on
the JCF grants committee in addition
to the B’nai Tzedek Board. We review
many grants from incredible nonprofit
organizations. My favorite part of the process is
choosing which grants to fund. I
love having discussions on how many
people per dollar a grant will fund, or
how much of an impact per person a
grant will have. It is the most difficult
part of philanthropy, but it is neces-
sary in order to make sure that the best
organizations get the money they need.

When making decisions, it is important
to evaluate all organizations. I discov-
ered recently that while an organiza-
tion did not seem worthwhile, upon
further inspection it turned out to be
the most impactful in the community.

Also, when reviewing letters of intent,
it is important to not reject a nonprofit
based on the professionalism of their
document. Many great organizations
don’t allocate funds to hire professional
grant writers.

During the holidays, many grants are
made as gifts through B’nai Tzedek.

We can send certificates to family mem-
bers and friends notifying them that
grants have been made in their honor.

The holidays are not the only time to
make grants or volunteer. However,
while it is important to volunteer all
year long, there seems to be a greater
need during the holidays, since others
don’t have the same opportunities to
celebrate as we do.

I like that the JCF notifies B’nai Tze-
dek board members of many volunteer
opportunities over the holidays, so that
we can participate and help make the
holidays more meaningful for others.

Jake Miller is a sophomore at Brophy College
Preparatory, a member of Temple Chai, and a
member of the Youth Philanthropy Board and
the Jewish Community Foundation Grants
Committee. This essay originally appeared on the
Jewish Teen Funders Network blog.

By Sarah Warner
T his year, the Youth
Philanthropy Board is
granting to organiza-
tions that focus on, specifically,
the root causes of poverty. I’ve
learned that – while there are
many great organizations that
focus on
helping indi-
vidual’s immediate
needs –
organiza- tions that
focus on
root cause
make Sarah Warner
more of
an impact in the long run.

Everyone has heard the saying
“Give a man a fish, and you
feed him for a day; teach a man
to fish and you feed him for a
lifetime.” Over the course of this year,
I have witnessed just how true
this saying is. By donating to
and volunteering for organiza-
tions that focus on the root
causes, one can make more of
a long-term impact.

Through the board, I have
discovered many great orga-
nizations that I had never
heard of but are working hard
for causes I care about. The
board has also taught me how
to look at every aspect of an
organization (the budget,
administration, government
funding, experience complet-
ing projects, etc.), so that I can
be sure I want to donate to or
be involved with them.

Sarah Warner, 15, is a member of
Congregation Merkaz Ha-Iyr. This is
her first year on the B'nai Tzedek Youth
Philanthropy Board.