JOY Annual Report ~ Year One


Jumpstart Our Youth – JOY – is Maine’s most comprehensive youth philanthropy program. Funded by private and corporate funders, 2,100 students from across the state collectively spend over 11,000 hours making local community grants and volunteering. Delivered through Jobs for Maine’s Graduates chapters at 64 middle and high schools, Maine students are meeting local needs with their time, talent and treasure.

Students fund local organizations serving youth needs including domestic abuse, fitness and recreation, early childhood development, the arts and many others.

In its first year, 2008-09, we estimate that between the grants and the work hours donated to the community, Maine students put $150,000 back into the economy.

Learning how to give “smart money” will teach our next generation of nonprofit and community leaders and donors how to package their compassion, skills and funds to solve local problems.