We are looking for sponsors to support Community 101 at the local level!
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. Schools interested in participating during the 2011-2012 academic year need to submit an application by March 31, 2011.
Collaboration and critical thinking, with an overlay of civic engagement, are at the root of C101, the foundation's youth philanthropy program. Students work together to identify community needs, research nonprofits, conduct site visits, review grant applications and make funding decisions. Each classroom has $5,000 to award in grants to community nonprofits.
C101 represents an innovative collaboration of schools, businesses and charitable organizations. Students acquire the tools to bring about positive change in their communities.
Fast Facts
- 1997- 2010: More than 8,300 students helped award $1.88 million to nonprofits and schools throughout the state
- 2007-2008: Approximately 1,100 students from 35 Oregon schools award $175,000 to nonprofits in their communities
- 2008-2009: Approximately 1,300 students from 51 Oregon schools award $255,000 to nonprofits in their communities
- 2009-2010: Approximately 1,600 students from 57 Oregon schools award $285,000 to nonprofits in their communities
Grants awarded in 2008-2009 fell into the following categories:
C101 in the Classroom
Used by teachers in high school classrooms throughout Oregon, C101 lends itself to instructional use in civic engagement, global literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, use of technology, and community involvement. Students learn creatively about their community and how to address problems.
C101 satisfies the Oregon Department of Education’s new essential skills requirements for an Oregon diploma.
Essentials of C101
A class receives a $5,000 allocation for grant making in the areas of education, healthy families, or arts and culture. Students identify community needs, decide where to focus, and then implement a grant program. At the end of the term, they present their grant awards. The entire $5,000 allocation goes to the community. Frequently businesses or individual donors sponsor a classroom by providing the $5,000. In this way they can support their local communities and also encourage youth philanthropy and civic engagement.
The classroom teacher acts as the program advisor and empowers the students to make decisions while guiding them through the process. Subject areas and classes that effectively integrate this program include business, English, Spanish, government, leadership, civics/history and marketing. Students may also use the program as the basis for their senior project.
As part of the program, students must volunteer two to five hours per month at community nonporfits, bringing them even closer to community issues.
Have Questions?
For more information on involving your school in C101, or to support a high school in your community, please contact:
Jennesa Datema, Initiatives and Youth Philanthropy
The Oregon Community Foundation
1221 SW Yamhill St, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97205-2108
503.552.3509 (T)
503.274.7771 (F)
jdatema@oregoncf.org