Cynthia Scherer, 202-729-8113
cscherer@pointsoflight.org

Kimberli Meadows, 202-729-3238
kmeadows@pointsoflight.org

JOIN HANDS DAY OFFERS YOUTH-LED PROJECT MINI-GRANTS
Grants of $250-$500 available through the Points of Light Foundation

NAPERVILLE, ILL (December 9, 2003) — Up to 75 mini-grants are available to youth-led volunteer projects on JOIN HANDS DAY, May 1, 2004.

The $250-$500 mini-grants are offered to youth, to age 25, through the Youth & Family Outreach Department of the Points of Light Foundation. While JOIN HANDS DAY supports youth-adult partnerships, this mini-grant opportunity encourages young people to take the lead. Applications are due February 2, 2004.

America's Fraternal Benefit Societies, in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, sponsor JOIN HANDS DAY. Their goal is to develop relationships between young people and adults while they tackle a problem in their neighborhoods to make something better. They work together on an equal basis to plan, organize and implement the day's activities.

To be eligible for a mini-grant, the application must come from an organization. Individuals who wish to apply need to partner with an organization.

Applicants may request between $250 and $500. Requested money may be used to support staff time, project supplies, transportation and meeting expenses.

Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed on the following criteria:
·Youth/adult partnerships (the ability of the project to support youth and adults working as equal partners)
·Mobilization (the ability of the project to serve as a catalyst to mobilize youth, adults and community organizations to sponsor events and increase participation in JOIN HANDS DAY)
·Community impact (the benefit of the project to the community it is serving)
·Overall project (how well the project is planned and achievable)

Preference will be given to applicants who partner with a local fraternal benefit society chapter (or home office). To learn more about fraternal benefit societies or to find one operating in your state, visit www.joinhandsday.org or the National Fraternal Congress of America web site at www.NFCAnet.org.

Making Application
To submit an application, download the JOIN HANDS DAY mini-grant application from www.joinhandsday.org. Applications are due no later than February 2, 2004. Applicants will be notified of their status by March 5, 2004.

Helpful Resources
For more information about JOIN HANDS DAY and how to develop a project, visit www.joinhandsday.org or call toll-free 1-877-OUR-1DAY. For answers to additional questions, contact Youth & Family Outreach at the Points of Light Foundation at 202-729-8135 or e-mail
youthandfamily@pointsoflight.org.

Sponsors of the Day
JOIN HANDS DAY, established in 2000, is sponsored by America's Fraternal Benefit Societies in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network.

America's Fraternal Benefit Societies, with more than 10 million members in 40,000 local chapters across America, provide their members with financial, leadership, social, educational, spiritual and volunteer service opportunities. The 77 member-societies that belong to the National Fraternal Congress of America trade association (established in 1886), contribute almost 80 million hours of community service each year.

The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, supports and organizes the vital work of community volunteers who help solve our nation's most serious social problems by bringing people and resources together.