Teens for Tomorrow, or T4T, is part of a nationwide trend that allows high school students to lead and support change through philanthropy. T4T provides opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and create positive change within the Quad City community.

T4T is comprised of 9th-12th grade students from high schools throughout Rock Island County, Ill, and Scott County, Iowa. Students meet once a month from September to June to identify community needs and address emerging issues. They distribute annual grants totaling $5,000 to local nonprofit organizations after evaluating grant requests and learning various agencies’ missions.

The premise of T4T is to not only teach young adults in our community about the role nonprofits play, but to also teach them how to read and evaluate grant applications, and how to make educated funding decisions.

“After we review all of the grant applications, we look at the number of individuals a project will reach and if our money will fill a gap,” said Sarah Bitting, T4T participant. “Although our opinions differed when it comes down to awarding grants, we are always able to make decisions that I believe, represent the ideals of our program.”

Become a member of T4T by clicking here or call 563-326-2840 for more information.

Youth philanthropy programs similar to T4T have come together across the State of Iowa to form the Youth Philanthropy Network, overseen by the Iowa Council of Foundations (ICoF). ICoF interviewed students and adults whose lives have been touched by youth philanthropy. To learn more, visit iowayouthphilanthropy.org.