Planting seeds of giving

Around here, giving back isn’t just a nice thing to do — it’s part of who we are.
That was clear again Sunday afternoon at the Bremer Center, where local teens in the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) program wrapped up their year with a capstone ceremony. Now, I’ve been to plenty of spring awards events over the years, but this one felt different. It felt uniquely Hamilton County, where giving back is as natural as saying hello to a neighbor.
If you’ve lived here awhile, you know the story. Families and individuals, generation after generation, have put their success to work for the greater good, building a network of local foundations that now hold more than $100 million combined. Those dollars go straight back into scholarships, nonprofit grants and other causes that keep our communities strong.
It’s an incredible story — one I love telling. But Sunday’s event wasn’t just about looking back. It was about looking ahead.
Thanks to YEP, a new crop of young people is learning what it really means to be part of this tradition. Think of it as Philanthropy 101, except it’s hands-on, and the final exam involves real decisions about real dollars. These high school juniors and seniors are figuring out that fundraising isn’t always easy, even when you believe in the cause. It takes guts, thoughtfulness and heart.
When I think back to my own high school days, my lessons about money mostly involved balancing a checkbook and learning about supply and demand, which meant keeping an eye on gas prices and hoping for the best. These students are way ahead of where I was and they’re developing skills and mindsets that will serve them, and their communities, for years to come.
In farm terms we all understand, YEP is planting seeds today that, with a little tending, are going to grow into something pretty special.
Honestly, I can’t think of anything more priceless than that.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net