Empowering Youth Through a Passion for Philanthropy

Name: Morgan Hicks

Age: 18

School:

Accomplishment: Chosen to attend the 2011 One Young World Summit

Key to Awesomeness: When Bishop's School student Morgan Hicks took an internship at the International Community Foundation (ICF), the original job description included filing papers, creating business cards and answering phones. Four years later Hicks now serves on the advisory board for the ICF and has just returned from Zurich, Switzerland, where she represented the foundation at the 2011 One Young World Summit.

“When I started to realize that I was the only one in [the office] who was under 20, I thought to myself, ‘Why is this, when all of my friends are always talking about how they would like to get involved in a project?'” Hicks said. “I realized this was a great opportunity for them and a really cool way for them to get involved, so I started brainstorming how I could do something else.”

Hicks quickly voiced her ideas to ICF President and CEO Richard Kiy, who helped her create and establish the Youth International Philanthropy Council (YIPC), which seeks to provide a youth perspective to ICF initiatives. Since its inception, the YIPC has established three key philanthropic projects, including opening the Teens Against Cervical Cancer Fund to benefit girls in Tijuana and other parts of Mexico and beginning the San Ignacio School Bus Library Project to benefit youth in Baja California.

When it came time for Kiy to nominate an individual to participate in the One Young World Summit, Hicks’ name immediately came to mind. The annual summit, which took place Sept. 1-4, seeks to “connect and bring together the youngest, brightest and best, and to ensure that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard.”

“When I first learned I was nominated I was shocked and honored,” Hicks said. “As I was researching the program I saw that the counselors were really influential people, and I started to read the profiles of other youth who were nominated, and I was just honored to be part of such an inspirational group.”

Determined to travel to Europe and learn from some of the world’s most inspirational philanthropists and leaders, including Desmond Tutu, Bob Geldof, Doug Richard and Wael Ghonim, Hicks created an online profile to seek sponsorship. Her extensive work with youth in Mexico quickly caught the attention of Antonio Diaz, CEO of First Baja, a company which seeks to further the development of Baja California and improve the lives of Mexican teens.

“Without Mr. Kiy and Mr. Diaz I wouldn’t have the YIPC, and I wouldn’t have been able to go to the conference,” Hicks said. “Because of them I realize how much a donation can mean to someone, and it has made me want to give back and provide that for someone else.”

Hicks was one of 1,600 delegates from 193 countries to attend the summit, where she heard from business leaders, philanthropists, and activists. Despite the caliber of speakers at the summit, Hicks was most impressed with her fellow attendees.

“You meet all of these really amazing kids who have already completed so much,” she said. “I met delegates from all over, and it was really humbling to hear how they feel about our foreign policy, and to hear how knowledgeable they are about it. It was interesting to see how much U.S. policies affect these other countries.”

In addition to learning more about other cultures, Hicks gained valuable ideas that she hopes to implement in her own community. In fact, she has already begun speaking with faculty at Bishops regarding ideas for energy conservation.

When Hicks isn’t participating in YIPC projects, the high school senior spends her time playing varsity soccer, track, and cross country. She also serves as the co-founder of Students Against Destruction Decisions, a program that educates students on the consequences of drugs and alcohol. In addition, she played a vital role in facilitating the “Every 15 Minutes” program, which simulates what it is like to lose a classmate and friend to drunken driving.

Although Hicks is unsure exactly how her role in philanthropic initiatives will change when she attends college next fall, she is certain that it will not cease. She hopes to focus on business in school, and is basing her school choice heavily on the available community-based projects and initiatives.

Much of Hicks’ time this year will be devoted to writing the Youth Guide to International Philanthropy—a book which offers tips and ideas to teenagers who would like to become more involved in philanthropic projects. Her biggest tip? Be passionate.

“If you’re passionate about a certain goal, people will see that and want to be a part of it,” she said. “In the presentations that I have seen and given, passion is what really sells it. If you’re passionate you will attract others and they will keep you on track.”