Shaping the Next Generation of Greek America’s Leaders
Gen G is the teen leadership and service committee of the Greek America Foundation—a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Greek-American community designed for teens who are ready to lead, serve, and make a meaningful impact now, not someday.
Rooted in the belief that philotimo, responsibility, and philanthropy must be practiced early, Gen G empowers teens ages 13–18 to translate values into action through hands-on service, real philanthropy, and leadership development that treats them as capabledecision-makers—not passive participants..
Gen G stands for Generation Greek—a nod to Gen Z: globally aware, digitally fluent, socially conscious, and unwilling to wait for permission to do good.
Gen G was launched and will be endowed in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of Dr. Margarita Lolis and Dr. George Stoupakis.
What Gen G Members Do
Gen G brings together a select group of motivated teens from across the United States who are committed to understanding how impact truly works.
Members:
- Meet monthly via Zoom for leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy education
- Gather quarterly in New York City for in-person service and leadership projects
- Participate in hands-on volunteerism
- Learn how philanthropy, nonprofits, and governance really function
- Raise funds and help build a youth-run giving endowment
Become part of a national network of socially conscious peers
Membership is by recommendation from an existing Gen G member or a Greek America Foundation member, ensuring integrity, accountability, and commitment.
Participation is limited to 25 teens per annual cycle. As members graduate out of the program, new members are admitted through a selective application process.
Why Gen G Exists
Because our future depends on more than cultural pride or academic success.
Today’s teens need:
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Ethical leadership skills
- A real sense of responsibility to their community
- Exposure to what authentic philanthropy looks like
Gen G exists to meet that need—intentionally, seriously, and without shortcuts.
The Gen G Model
Three Pillars of Impact
1. Service: Hands-On Volunteerism
Through quarterly in-person gatherings in New York City, Gen G members participate in meaningful service projects that emphasize humility, compassion, and responsibility.
This isn’t performative volunteering. These experiences are designed to ground teens in the realities of service and to build the character traits that define true leadership—and true philotimo.
2. Philanthropy: The Gen G Cares Endowment
Philanthropy is not simulated in Gen G—it’s practiced.
Each member commits to raising or contributing $250 annually to the Gen G Cares Endowment, a growing fund managed by a youth investment committee with guidance and oversight from the Greek America Foundation’s investment leadership.
Members receive:
- A personalized micro-fundraising page
- Training in storytelling, donor engagement, and ethical fundraising
- Guidance on using social media for impact—not attention
Gen G members participate in the entire circle of philanthropy:
- Pooling small donations and dues
- Building an endowment
- Learning how nonprofits operate
- Reviewing real grant proposals
- Debating, presenting, and voting on grant awards
- Writing impact reports after each grant cycle
Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations aligned with the Foundation’s mission in the United States or Greece.
Teens learn accountability, stewardship, transparency, and responsible decision-making—not in theory, but in practice.
3. Community – A Network with Purpose
Gen G is a community of like-minded teens who share values, curiosity, and a desire to contribute meaningfully.
Monthly Zoom gatherings strengthen relationships, foster collaboration, and create a sense of belonging rooted in shared purpose—not social status.
Values We Instill
Gen G is grounded in enduring Greek ideals, translated for the real world:
- Philotimo – Service, humility, responsibility
- Leadership – Impact-driven, not title-driven
- Generosity – Giving time, talent, and treasure
- Community – Friendship rooted in shared purpose
- Identity – Understanding what Greek values look like in action
What Makes Gen G Different
- It’s not a social club—it’s a leadership incubator
- It doesn’t just teach culture—it teaches impact
- It doesn’t simulate philanthropy—teens practice it
- It doesn’t create followers—it builds ethical leaders