Gen G | Shaping the next generation of Greek America’s leaders.

What is Gen G?

Gen G, short for Generation Greek, is a first-of-its-kind leadership, philanthropy, and service initiative in the Greek-American community for teens ages 13-18 who are ready to make a meaningful impact now, not someday.

Participation is limited to 25 teens per annual cycle, creating a close-knit and mission-driven community. Membership is granted through recommendation and selective admission, helping preserve a culture of integrity, accountability, and commitment. Throughout the year, members meet monthly via Zoom for mentorship, leadership development, and philanthropy education, while gathering quarterly in New York City for hands-on service and leadership projects.

Gen G is built around three interconnected pillars: Service, Philanthropy, and Community.

Service: Members participate in meaningful volunteer projects that emphasize humility, compassion, responsibility, and authentic leadership. These are not performative service opportunities, but hands-on experiences designed to expose teens to the realities of helping others and creating impact.

Philanthropy: Through the Gen G Cares Endowment, members actively participate in the full cycle of philanthropy. Each teen commits to raising or contributing $250 annually to a youth-led giving fund managed with guidance from the Greek America Foundation’s investment leadership. Members learn storytelling, donor engagement, ethical fundraising, and responsible use of social media. They also review grant proposals, debate funding recommendations, vote on grant awards, and prepare impact reports, gaining firsthand experience in stewardship, transparency, and decision-making.

Community: Gen G connects socially conscious teens from across the United States who share common values, curiosity, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to society. Through regular gatherings and collaborative experiences, members build lasting relationships rooted in shared purpose rather than social status.

Why Gen G?

Gen G exists because the next generation of Greek America should not have to wait until adulthood to be trusted with purpose. Too often, young people are invited to attend, observe, or talk about service from the sidelines. Gen G asks something more of them: to practice leadership through action, to understand philanthropy as responsibility, and to see Greek identity as something lived through service to others.

Rooted in the values of philotimo, responsibility, and community, the program gives teens a serious but supportive environment where ideals become habits. Members learn how to show up for people in need, raise and steward funds with integrity, listen to one another, make decisions together, and connect their heritage to meaningful work in the world around them.

Through the Gen G Cares Endowment, members are introduced to the full circle of philanthropy: raising funds, understanding stewardship, reviewing real nonprofit needs, debating impact, voting on grants, and reporting back with transparency. This is not symbolic philanthropy or a school-style exercise. It is a youth-led giving model designed to teach accountability, generosity, and long-term thinking from the ground up.

At its heart, Gen G is about forming young leaders who understand that impact is not about recognition or status. It is about compassion, discipline, courage, and the quiet work of building something that lasts.

Gen G was launched in 2026 thanks to the generosity of Dr. Margarita Lolis and Dr. George Stoupakis.