Media Release

March 27, 2006

The Community Foundation of Ottawa launches its first youth-led grants program

(OTTAWA) – The Community Foundation of Ottawa's new Youth Advisory Committee is inviting local young people to apply for a brand new set of grants available through the Foundation. The Youth-Led Community Action Projects Grants Program, a partnership initiative with Heritage Canada and Community Foundations of Canada, will fund projects that are proposed, selected and implemented by youth. It's part of the Foundation's new Ottawa Youth in Philanthropy (OYIP) program, a local initiative that engages young people in the world of community philanthropy. Grants of up to $2500 will be provided for approved projects that are initiated and carried out by local youths. The deadline for applications is April 20, 2006

Since its inception in the fall of 2005, OYIP has attracted 16 young people from across Ottawa to sit on its Youth Advisory Committee. Made up of a widely diverse group of youths between the ages of 13 - 21, the committee has been working diligently over the last few months to create the Foundation's first grantmaking program aimed specifically at funding projects that will benefit Ottawa's youth population. "Being part of this group is an incredible opportunity," says Kalkidan Tafese, a 15-year-old student at Lisgar Collegiate. "We've spent the last few months researching and discussing issues that affect youth from different parts of the city. With the launch of this grant program, we'll get to support projects that will address these issues. I think we're going to see some amazing proposals come from Ottawa 's young people."

Designed to engage young people in the entire process of community philanthropy, the Youth in Philanthropy program is a growing movement among community foundations across the country. With the support of an adult advisor, each community's Youth Advisory Committee works to raise money, build endowment funds and make grants to youth projects in their local community. Youth philanthropy is a rising local and global phenomenon that has seen over 500 youth grantmaking bodies sprout up in Canada and the U.S. - more than half of which are within community foundations. Programs have also been started in such countries as Australia , England , Ireland , Mexico , Poland and Russia . For more information about the OYIP program and the new youth grants project, visit www.cfo-fco.ca

The Community Foundation of Ottawa is a public, non-profit organization created by and for the people of Ottawa. It connects donors who care with causes that matter and serves as a trusted resource for addressing issues and leveraging opportunities in the community. It attracts and manages a growing endowment, the invested earnings of which provide grants to charitable organizations. The Foundation's role is as neutral broker in support of all charitable causes that contribute to the community's quality of life. With its growing profile, the Community Foundation of Ottawa has built an enviable reputation for astute financial management, high-quality donor services, strategic grantmaking and innovative partnerships.

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Contact:
Iona Green

Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications

(613) 236-1616 X 232

Cell (613) 791-3128

igreen@cfo-fco.ca