Philanthropy Tank has announced the finalists for its 2021 program. The nonprofit focuses on empowering and inspiring the next generation of “changemakers” by challenging and equipping them to implement sustainable, service-driven solutions to problems affecting the community.
The nonprofit received hundreds of applications from students between 8th and 12th grades from across Palm Beach County. The application requires students to submit a philanthropic idea that directly addresses issues in Palm Beach County. The students’ projects will be presented to a group of philanthropist mentors, who can award each project up to $15,000 in funding to launch and implement their program. The students will also receive guidance and support from these local leaders, philanthropists and entrepreneurs.
Eric Mackey of Wellington joins 15 other finalists with his group project, OrangeMath Tutoring. Mackey is working with Pierre Louis, Sophie Louis and Adin Groper of Spanish River High School and the American Heritage School. OrangeMath Tutoring is a program that aims to provide free math tutoring in Spanish and Haitian-Creole to minority K-5 students.
Other finalists include: the STEMINIST Club, which aims to break gender stereotypes by empowering young girls in the foster care system to code, create computer circuits and perform chemistry experiments; DigitalEdge, which is a program that aims to provide tech lessons along with gently used and refurbished computers to underprivileged students; Boundless BioTech, which is a program that aims to teach a free college-level biomedical engineering curriculum to low-income students; Fridges for Life, which is a program that aims to encourage local produce stores, restaurants, farmers and community members to donate the excess food they do not use to store in one of many community fridges installed across Palm Beach County; StudentBodyHealth, which is a program that aims to boost mental morale and positive health practices for today’s youth during the COVID-19 era by teaching yoga and healthy eating habits; and BEtter YOUth, which is a program that aims to provide at-risk youth in the juvenile detention system with opportunities to better themselves through teaching technical work skills, life skills and spiritual prosperity.
The finalists will make their presentations virtually in an event that will be posted on Philanthropy Tank’s web site, as well as its Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn pages on March 30.
This is Philanthropy Tank’s sixth year operating this unique program in Palm Beach County. To date, Philanthropy Tank student-led programs have impacted more than 300,000 lives, more than 500 students have participated in the student programs and more than $600,000 in grant money has been awarded to more than 45 projects. Learn more at www.philanthropytank.org.
