Nonprofits Want Youngins

Nonprofits are wooing 20- and 30-somethings for their energy and eventual power as they move up in their careers. (If that's the target demographic, they should consider replacing their old CEO with Jimmy Fallon.)

PHILLIPS Programs for Children and Families development coordinator Sarah Caldwell (left) is launching the nonprofit's first Young Professionals Council next month. She's already recruited people like Ernst & Young marketing program manager Kathryn Delli-Colli to be one of four group founders. Council members will use their leadership to develop service projects, create fundraising events targeted to younger professionals, and market and advocate on behalf of the Annandale, Va.-based organization. (The kickoff event is May 1 at Guarapo in Arlington, Va.)

Ernst & Young young professionals have helped PHILLIPS with various volunteer projects. Sarah says she'd like to grow the group to 15 young professionals interested in the networking and resume building qualities of such a council. From the nonprofit's standpoint, it's a way to build a network of future board members and potential donors. "Having someone invested early on in their career will help when we look to a future network of partners and donors," she adds.

Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia started a council of young professionals last summer with similar objectives: new volunteers, outreach to their network of other young people, and organizing a fundraiser geared to young professionals. Development director Karen Price, flanked by council members Megan Tuttle and Kate Stotish, says the 16-member group has brought a lot of energy. They also work well independently on projects, including planning a croquet tournament for later this year. Her advice for organizations thinking about starting a young professional council: go in with an open mind and let things evolve rather making it too restrictive.