Today, six finalist groups of eighth-grade students took the stage to present their Charitable Champions grant proposals, marking the culmination of a months-long journey in learning about philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. These students, representing six local nonprofits, presented their cases to HANDS, the student-led philanthropic organization that will decide which grant requests receive funding and at what amount.
The finalist groups advocated for the following organizations:
The Salvation Army of Whitley County
Camp Whitley
The Center for Whitley County Youth
Night to Shine
B.A.B.E.
Whitley County Humane Society
HANDS has $5,000 to distribute among the nonprofits, and students will find out in late May if their proposals were funded.
A Program with Lasting Impact
The Charitable Champions program is one of the eighth-grade essential experiences, teaching students the importance of community engagement, nonprofit work, and the role of foundations in supporting local needs. Over the past decade, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Whitley County, the program has contributed more than $40,000 to local nonprofits while empowering students to be change-makers in our community.
Students began their journey in February by attending a Nonprofit Fair, where representatives from 11 local organizations shared their missions and community impact. From there, students selected an organization to research, developed a grant proposal, and crafted compelling presentations to make the case for funding.
By partnering with the Community Foundation of Whitley County and HANDS, students gained a deeper understanding of:
The needs of their own community
The definition and role of nonprofit organizations
How nonprofits address challenges and improve society
How they, as students, can engage in meaningful community service
At the heart of the program is one big question: Can middle school students make a lasting impact in their community? With their hard work and dedication, these eighth-graders are proving the answer is a resounding yes.
This program would not be possible without the guidance and support of the eighth-grade teaching team, along with Brooks Walker and Andrew Thompson of the Community Foundation of Whitley County.
Now, the finalists eagerly await the funding decisions in May—regardless of the outcome, they have already made a difference by advocating for causes that matter in their community.