Lisa learns about how nonprofit organizations help others, when she volunteers at a resource center.

What kind of philanthropy did you participate in?

Lisa: I volunteered to help at the resource center of a funding organization. I helped people find ways to earn money to start or to help their nonprofit organization.

Where did you get the idea to get involved?

Lisa: My school encourages the students to find a way to serve our community. I wanted to be involved and asked my mother to help me find a service project. She knew of the San Diego Foundation and helped me find information and get a project to do there.

Did you work with anyone else?

Lisa: Just my supervisor, the director of the resource center at the San Diego Foundation.

What was the best thing about your experience with philanthropy?

Lisa: The best thing about my experience was getting to know people who I came to respect because they were trying to help the less fortunate.

What was the hardest part of your project?

Lisa: The hardest part was when I was not able to answer questions people had in the library, and I would have to find my supervisor to help me.

What would you say to someone else who is thinking of getting involved with some kind of philanthropy?

Lisa: The more you give to your project, the more you get out of it. You learn a lot more if you put the most energy into it.

How have you changed as a result of your experience participating in philanthropy?

Lisa: I have a new respect and understanding for nonprofit organizations. Before I had done this project, I knew almost nothing about nonprofit organizations.

© Foundation Center
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy