State Farm partnership grows future change-makers

Mindy Kao, program associate, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

By Mindy Kao, program associate, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

All you need is passion to make a difference, but a few tools and know-how certainly help make an impact! In partnership with State Farm, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is giving an energetic cohort of college students a chance to make a change in their community through a new program launched this summer.

The place-based State Farm Scholars Philanthropy Program is training 10 rising sophomores at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College in Decatur about the art and science of grantmaking, with a focus on south DeKalb County.

While many of their fellow students were enjoying a summer break, these dedicated scholars were hard at work, and having fun, learning about community challenges impacting the county and the critical strategies nonprofits use to improve safety, education and community development for all residents. Through this interactive philanthropic workshop series, students will award micro-grants to a set of organizations serving the south DeKalb community through the newly-established State Farm Education Assist Fund.

State Farm scholar, Zachary Thomas, commented “I am interested in philanthropy because I believe that giving back to the community without expecting anything will help inspire others to do the same.” Another participant said, “It only takes you to start a movement!” Wise observations from the next generation of change-makers.

Grant recipients will be announced in November.