Hi my name is Josh Smith and I am a current Next Generation Partner (NGP) member. As many of you know now NGP is a program of Social Venture Partners Arizona focused on educating the youth of Partners, and friends of Partners, in the field of philanthropy. The Next Generation Partner program works with kids from all over the Valley and includes elementary schoolers, middle schoolers, and high schoolers who all work together to create a final grant. NGP is currently working through the SVP model to create a grant and pick an organization to capacity build.
During the past six months, we have raised more than $4,000 that will be grated to an organization who specializes in either technology or education. We chose this type of organization due to our strong beliefs in Arizona’s education system as well as our belief that technology will shape future generations.
NGP is a growing organization and we are aiming to get new members during the next semester of the program. Even if you do not have kids, consults are helpful to educate us on how to further our philanthropic minds and grow as an organization!
Some of my fellow NGP members
My current experience in the philanthropic world can be described in a quote by Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.” This quote shows me how philanthropy can help others as well as help you. NGP has been a great way for me to learn about philanthropy and spend time with my dad, Ben Smith. He loves that he gets to involve me in something he already loves. As an active Boy Scout, I have been involved with lots of charity work, but have never learned the economic background of it all until now. The skills that the NGP program is teaching me are shaping my life and have taught me a new way to give back to the community.