Women in Development: 2008 Young Philanthropist Award

Matt Vieira Receives WID's 2008 Young Philanthropist Award

Matt Vieira of Lowell will receive the 2008 Young Philanthropist Award from Women in Development of Greater Boston at a luncheon May 6 at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge in recognition of his dedication and leadership in raising funds to support cancer patients at Lowell General Hospital.

Matt Vieira (center), at the Young Philanthropist Award Presentation, on May 6th, shown with Ilisa Hurowitz (left) and Win Brown (right).

"People look down on our generation," says Matt, who was selected from nearly 20 nominees. "They call us self-centered and materialistic. What we’ve done here with Friends Who Care is shown that there are caring young people who want to make a difference in the community and in the world."

Vieira, 18, who started the fundraising organization Friends Who Care in 2006 as a junior at Lowell Catholic High School, is being honored for his leadership and passion in advancing the spirit of philanthropy and inspiring his peers and others. In two years, Vieira, through Friends Who Care, raised $23,000 through two dinner-dances, overcoming last-minute setbacks, a harsh economy and loss of a loved one.

Matt Vieira will receive the award and a $1,000 contribution for Friends Who Care from Women in Development during a luncheon May 6 at The Charles Hotel. Finalist Caitlin Shelburne, 17, of Byfield will also be recognized for her contributions to benefit the Angel Fund for ALS.

The featured speaker will be Eric Schwarz, founder and president of Citizen Schools, a leading national education initiative that helps improve student achievement by blending real-world learning projects and rigorous academics after-school. Like the Young Philanthropist Award, Citizen Schools works to foster the potential of young leaders.

Schwarz previously served as a Public Service Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, as Executive Director of City Year Boston, and as a Vice President at City Year. He is a published author and worked as a journalist and columnist at the Oakland Tribune and The Patriot Ledger of Quincy, Mass., where he won two national awards and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Women in Development of Greater Boston awarded the first Young Philanthropist Award in 2003 to recognize a young leader who inspires philanthropy and to highlight philanthropic practice for future generations. Nominees must assume a leadership role in promoting the mission and sustainability of the primary nonprofit organization served, inspire and motivate others to give of their time and money and to demonstrate exceptional charitable responsibility and self-motivation.

Past Recipients of the Young Philanthropist Award include:

2007: Nick Simmons-Stern, for his work on behalf of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life

2006: Tallen Kendall Sloane, founder of "Tallen's Challenges" on behalf of The Home for Little Wanderers.

2005: Alexandra Azzolino, Acton, founder, Kids Kount!, a 501(c) 3 organization raising funds to support organizations fighting childhood diseases.

2004: Jenny Whitcher, Topsfield, founder of Habitat for Humanity, New York City Youth United Program, New York, New York.

ABOUT WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT
Established in 1980, Women in Development of Greater Boston is a nonprofit professional association approaching 1000 members whose mission is to promote and support the advancement of women in the development profession and the importance of philanthropy. Today it is one of the largest organizations of advancement professionals in Massachusetts.