CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WRIC) — There is a new way for girls ages 12 to 17 to give back to the Richmond community in a big way. The nonprofit Girl Power Grants is bringing 100 middle and high schoolers together. Separately, they raise $100, so collectively they can donate $10,000 to a local charity.
“We’re really looking for that kids helping kids type of idea,” explains Girl Power Grants founder Morgan Rhudy. “The girls get to choose where the money goes, they get to put the money where their heart is and where they want to see the difference made in the community, and overall it would just be a great experience for teenage girls to have.”
Rhudy, an eighth-grader at Midlothian Middle School, was inspired by a similar program for women in the area called Impact 100. Each year its members pool their money to award $100,000 grants to causes in the region.
Rhudy and her friends do not want to wait until adulthood, however. They know they can help now.
“This is all about girl empowerment, and we are really trying to build the confidence of young girls and make everyone more community-minded and know the issues that are happening in our community and know how to make a difference.”
Do you know a young lady who would be interested in joining Girl Power Grants? Applications will be accepted until November 15, and then the grant ceremony is scheduled for February. Members must commit to one meeting a month and other activities related to the selection of the nonprofit that will receive the grant.
