St. Louisans are known for giving their time and resources; and thanks to a multitude of young friends groups associated with local nonprofits, that tradition will continue. In each group, leaders are rising to the top, eager to become the next generation of philanthropists.
Maura Garascia has been involved with Young Friends of Kids with Cancer for about four years. She served on the line tight executive committee as secretary for two years before accepting her new role as board president in January. “A friend of mine told me about the group, so I attended a meeting and became really interested in helping out,” she says.
Social networking is a large part of how young friends groups create awareness. “As members, we always approach our friends who are looking for opportunities to get involved with a good cause, and sometimes people come to us,” Garascia notes. Members can make donations, but there are no membership fees. “People become involved for a number of reasons,” she explains. “Many are survivors of cancer or know someone affected by the disease, so they want to help kids going through a similar situation.”
The group, which Garascia says consists of people mainly in their 20s and 30s (men, women, singles, married, married with kids), mostly helps through fundraising events and by attending those put on by the ‘big board.’ “We hold about four events each year that are open to the public. Many have silent auctions, and we ask people we know and businesses we network with to donate items,” she says.
The time commitment is not overwhelming, Garascia says. “We have monthly board meetings, and committees meet afterward.” The board consists of about 30 members, and ways to get involved include volunteering at various events or serving on committees for things like event planning, social media and member outreach. “We vote on new board members as a group,” Garascia says. “It’s always individuals who have been really involved throughout the year and would be a good fit.”
The group plans purely social activities also, like happy hours over the summer or kickball teams for the Clayton Shaw Park league, which helps them recruit new members. “We always want to see new faces coming in,” she says.
The Saint Louis Art Museum started a Young Friends group about 10 years ago. “The group began in 1994,” explains Kate Gleason, membership manager and Young Friends coordinator. “It grew from the desire of some young members to find a way to really support the museum. It was much more volunteer-based in those days.” The original intent was art acquisition, and the founding group held several fundraisers and procured sponsorships. A few works in the museum’s collection were purchased solely with Young Friends money. Now, funds raised are used for general operating expenses.
The group’s structure changed a few years ago to eliminate extra fees and include more benefits. “Young Friends is now included with any membership level of $150 and above, and it includes tickets to all museum events, exhibitions, curator tours and private tours,” Gleason says. “The recommended age group is 21 to 45.”
Young Friends members get access to behind-the-scenes events as well, like a recent one held at local photographer Mark Katzman’s studio. “He set up a photo shoot for members, and everyone left with an original print,” Gleason says. “We also organize tours geared toward these members using our younger curators and scholars.”
The roughly 500 Young Friends members include a mix of working professionals, graduate students, singles and individuals with families. “The average age is mid-30s, and everyone is involved in the arts in some way,” Gleason says. “It’s a good mix between the art aspect and social interaction. It’s not just about happy hours. Members are involved because of the programs. And for the museum, it’s not only a good way to get donors, but also future leaders.”
Several founding Young Friends groups are now involved in a more prominent capacity at the museum. “One is currently the Friends board president, and there are a couple on the corporate committee and one trustee,” Gleason says. “It’s exciting to see that their relationship with the museum started with Young Friends.”
Pictured: Young Friends of Kids with Cancer members at an event