Since I volunteered with The Generation Project in 2010, the nonprofit has grown by leaps and bounds. They've launched in at least two new geographic locations--the Bay Area in California and New Orleans in Louisiana--all the while growing their impact at every location along the way. They have exponentially increased the number of completed and newly opened gifts, such that they currently have 25 amazing opportunities available for educators around the nation. Finally, The Generation Project has managed to do all this while maintaining an incredibly efficient organizational structure through rapid growth of college advocates in each major location. This means that The Generation Project is growing and yet still minimizing overhead and operational costs, thereby ensuring that maximum impact and value goes to the true deserving population: the students.
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As a past intern at The Generation Project, I've had amazing opportunities to create my own projects as well as work on real non-profit challenges. Every day offered a new experience in a new medium, yet every day I was inspired anew by the level of dedication and passion of all team members at The Generation Project.
I have been involved with The Generation Project since its inception. I distinctly remember, in early 2008 when the founders of The Generation Project told me about their idea for a non-profit. Since that time, I have been witness to so many amazing accomplishments by The Generation Project. I was there when it won their first online voting competition and received a grant, which provided the seed money to launch www.thegenerationproject.org. I was there when it launched a pilot program that provided gifts to underprivileged students in Los Angeles and Detroit. I was there when it received 501(C)(3) status. I was there for a nationwide launch tour sponsored by Rugby Ralph Lauren. I have witnessed the Generation Proejct implement over five hundred gifts, which have provided underprivileged students with amazing educational opportunities.
I have been a proud member of the Board of Directors of The Generation Project for nearly two years. I am also a proud donor, having designed multiple gifts for students in the Washington DC area. I will continue to support The Generation Project.
The Generation Project has created a great way for people to put students first and improve education. My generation excelled because of the unique resources and influences we had in our schools. It's important that we keep that up for the next generation of students by filling in the gaps, through the Generation Project, where school funding falls short. It's a high impact organization with a lean budget. Keep up the great work GP!
What attracted me to The Generation Project more than any other education focused non profit, is that they really understand what students need and the power of donors. Nothing can be more meaningful and beneficial than a donation you've designed yourself to benefit low income students. I hope everyone decides to make an impact and fund a gift that you are passionate about!
Hello! I am Monique - a gift implementation intern for The Generation Project :) The Generation Project was my very first opportunity in getting hands-on (VERY hands-on considering it was still very much a start-up when I began) experience in the NPO world. I really must say that I cannot be more grateful that I am to be working for this organization - especially during a time in which my greatest desires have been to contribute to society and to feel like I truly am a part of the larger world. TGP has given me the following opportunities: to work directly with passionate people who desire to give and receive for the next generation, to see how my work directly contributes to young learners, to grow personally in how to manage cases on a micro-level and to work with other interns who also care and believe in our cause. The highlight of my position is when I see the photos of students enjoying the gifts that I helped implement...it's beyond words.
Review from Guidestar
Working with The Generation Project has been an extremely rewarding and valuable experience. This organization has already impacted thousands of students through generous contributions from a wide range of donors. Being able to see the growth and impact, along with the continued dedication from staff members and donors assures me that this organization will continue to succeed. I look forward working with this organization in the future as it constantly excels in making a difference in the lives of students in the US.
The Generation Project is fabulous in that it allows donors to control where their money goes and how it will help impact the community that they are donating to. I really love how this approach allows the donor to know where the money is actually going, so that you know you are making a real difference instead of shipping your money off and never seeing its effects.
The Generation Project is an incredible new charity. Based on my work with them, I can see the dramatic impact they're having in classrooms in cities across the country, and they're doing so with very little overhead expenses. They're model is sustainable and expandable, and I know that they will do great things in the future.
When I first heard of the Generation Project, I was intrigued. The Generation Project harnessing donor interests by providing the donor the option to design a personalized gift (for example, if you like soccer, you can donate a soccer ball), post these donations to be claimed by teachers and in essence connect your passions to students in low income schools. The Generation Project has provided countless opportunities for students to live out their dreams while donors receive feedback of the donation. The Generation Project is creative, unique and efficient and i highly recommend donating through this organization.
The Generation Project has inspired me to expand my interest in bettering the k-12 education system and closing the achievement gap. The Generation Project's unique model allows donors to give back in a way that best reflects a person's individual interest and thus, donors connect with the process on a personal level. By creating more transparency, donors can see the difference they are making first hand and track their donations throughout the entire process.
The Generation Project really lets donors engage with their community and come up with innovative ideas in order to improve low income schools. It is both easy and efficient for donors to be in charge of how and where their donations are used which allows for a very rewarding experience.
The Generation Project is an innovative nonprofit whose effort is to create a self-sustaining community using a two-pronged approach. Community members are encouraged to become philanthropists in their own unique way by designing gifts of their choice that benefit students in need. In this way, community members become aware of and respond to the needs of local youth, whose enriched education better equips them for a future in which they too can become involved philanthropists.
I have been enchanted by The Generation Project's mission and am honored to propagate it. As an intern focused on development, my work serves to secure funding in order to maintain and expand our programs by seeking the support of high-impact individuals, foundations, and grants.
An important component of the model is its online nature. The unique web platform efficiently accommodates gift creation on the donor's part and gift claim on the part of the educator. Another important component of the web platform is the ability to follow gift implementation and witness a gift's effects even though a donor may be far from the recipient school. The Generation Project's web platform thus serves to fully involve donors from all across the country.
I am proud of the fact that The Generation Project is a 100% transparent organization; every cent donors provide go toward the intended gift and a small, separate fee covers the costs of implementation. The cheerful spirit and dedication of the other interns gives me great confidence that The Generation Project's mission will be realized.
