We are looking for sponsors to support Community 101 at the local level!
And, we welcome applications from innovative, enthusiastic teachers and schools who want to add a community service learning component to their classrooms. Schools interested in participating during the 2010-2011 academic year need to submit an application by March 31, 2010!
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.
Managed in partnership with the PGE Foundation, 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- 2009: More than 6,700 students helped award $1.6 million to nonprofits and schools throughout the state
- 2007-2008: 1,300 students from 35 Oregon schools (1A to 6A) award $175,000 to nonprofits in their communities
- 2008-2009: 1,700 students from 51 Oregon schools award $255,000 to nonprofits in their communities
Grants awarded in 2008-2008 fell into the following catgories:
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
or
Carol Reed, Program Officer
PGE Foundation
One World Trade Center, 3rd Floor
121 SW Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97205
503.464.7614 (T)
503.464.2929 (F)
carol.reed@pgn.com