40 young professionals. $20,000. 36 worthy nonprofits. It sounds like the beginning of a reality TV show, and it is every bit as exciting. The [give] 502 organization challenged young professionals to donate $502 each this year so they could pool the money and learn what it means to be major donors in our community. They worked with The Community Foundation of Louisville to create grant applications and learn how to evaluate them to be sure that their money would support a truly valuable mission.
When The Cabbage Patch was selected out of 36 worthy causes as one of three finalists for the [give] 502 donation, we decided to put our best spokespeople in front of the committee-the members of The Patch themselves. Two young men who have developed leadership skills and ambition as a result of our programs spoke about how The Patch inspires them to give back, to share their purpose and gratitude with others.
In the end, the [give] 502 committee selected The Cabbage Patch to receive their inaugural donation! Not only are we immensely thankful for the funds that will help us continue profoundly changing lives, but we are also grateful that our young members were able to participate in the process. In learning about the relationship between nonprofits and donor support, they become better prepared to participate in philanthropy in the future, whether they want to be nonprofit advocates or donors. Thank you, [give] 502, for supporting our mission and for providing us with an educational experience in generosity!