ALL IN THE FAMILY

John Mastandona , Andrew McMahon, Laurie McMahon, Dan McMahon, Caroline McMahon Mastandona

Charitable giving for the next generation

You’ve most likely heard about well-known philanthropists like Warren Buffett or Bill and Melinda Gates, who are among the top givers in the world. Maybe you’ve even heard about major donors from Illinois, like the Pritzker family or Shirley and Patrick Ryan, whose generous donations and leadership created the outstanding Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. There are also outstanding philanthropists in DuPage County and right here in Hinsdale.

Joining DuPage Foundation’s next generation initiative is one way to learn more about how philanthropy works and who can benefit from your philanthropic intentions.

BY GINGER WHEELER What is DuPage Foundation’s next generation initiative?

An initiative of DuPage Foundation, the area’s philanthropic leader and a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to raising the quality of life throughout the community, the next generation initiative (NGI) is comprised of communityminded individuals working to create a positive impact within DuPage by engaging and empowering the county’s next generation of philanthropic leaders with opportunities to connect, learn and give back. Approximately 80 members, consisting of individuals, couples and families, currently participate in NGI through collaborative giving, social events (which have been virtual during recent months), volunteer projects and other activities.

Multi-generational philanthropy (or “getting the kids involved”)

Laurie K. McMahon of Hinsdale is one person who has found joy in the experience of giving back. McMahon has served on the boards of a variety of organizations, including the Hinsdale Humane Society, Child’s Voice School of Wood Dale and Chicago and DuPage Foundation. She has also been actively involved with Union Church of Hinsdale and HCS Family Services. McMahon said DuPage Foundation’s NGI is a great way to get young adults involved with the process of philanthropy.

“It’s not easy to get your adult children involved with charities you care about,” McMahon said. “They’re busy, have busy lives, and just because you care about a

cause, service or program, doesn’t mean they will. NGI, however, covers a lot of bases, and is a fun way for younger people or people new to organized philanthropy to not only learn more, but also have fun doing it."

NGI is one way to ease young adult philanthropists into a bigger role without a lot of stress or a huge learning curve.

“I love to see my children giving back,” McMahon said.

Often, there’s a personal connection

McMahon’s own introduction to philanthropy occurred, because her son Daniel became hearing impaired at a very young age. She enrolled him at Child’s Voice, a school that teaches hearingimpaired children, from a few weeks old to age 5, the oral and listening skills they need to succeed and enables them to be mainstreamed into their neighborhood school classrooms. Daniel is now a successful financial analyst in Chicago.

Daniel got involved with Child’s Voice first as an event participant, then as an event keynote speaker, and is now helping the agency organize its fundraising events.

“Of course, Daniel has this connection," McMahon said, "but I think it was strengthened by me staying involved for the past 20 years with Child’s Voice. He saw that was important. The school helped him at a critical point in his life, and now he’s able to give back. That’s very gratifying for me as a parent.”

Raising the quality of life for others

McMahon’s daughter Caroline, a teacher in a low-income Chicago suburb, has attended some NGI events, which McMahon said she really enjoyed.

Governed by a steering committee of young professionals, NGI hosts a mix of activities for its members each year, including educational programs focusing on philanthropy, introductions to DuPage area not-for-profits, group service projects and social events. NGI also enables members to participate in pooled giving through a permanent endowment fund with memberships and other contributions. Earnings from the next generation initiative fund are then used by NGI to make grants to local non-profit organizations selected by its members. Grantees have included Assistance League of Chicagoland West and the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which supplies food to HCS Family Services. Since its creation, NGI has granted nearly $100,000 to local nonprofits, and built its endowment to more than $225,000.

Apart from its grant-making impact, NGI also brings families and donors of different ages together.

“While NGI was originally contemplated as a means to engage younger community leaders and donors, we’ve found that constituents of all ages enjoy participating in NGI and connecting with each other,” said Mike Sitrick, DuPage Foundation’s vice president for advancement. “Many of our established fund-holders enjoy learning about featured charities they haven’t heard of before, and others often step up to provide matching funds to help NGI grant dollars go further. Having a diverse mix of ages involved is incredibly fun, and it’s inspiring to see crossgenerational relationships being built and strengthened through collaborative philanthropy.”

NGI’s next event

On Feb. 24, NGI is hosting a virtual trivia night at which participants can compete for the chance to recommend a DuPage Foundation grant to a DuPage County non-profit organization of their choice. Past recipients of this grant include the North Central College Center for Financial Literacy in Naperville and Bridge Communities in Glen Ellyn.

“The trivia night is a blast,” said event organizer Kait Balsewicz, a member of NGI, as well as its staff coordinator in her role as development officer for DuPage Foundation. “Normally, trivia night is a sold-out, in-person event, where longtime friends come together and new friends get to know each other. This year, we’re going virtual, but we know it’s still going to be a ton of fun, and look forward to connecting with everyone.”

If you go

Registration for DuPage Foundation’s next generation virtual trivia night, scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, is available through www.dupagefoundation.org/NGI. Sign up by Feb. 22. The link can also be used to become an NGI member or corporate sponsor. 