The Laird Norton family continually promotes the advancement of intellectual growth, business experience and philanthropic focus in order to ensure the excellence of its youngest generations.
Through Sixth Sense, young Laird Norton family members (ages 14-21) come together to learn about grantmaking, the nonprofit sector, and family philanthropy. Sixth Sense provides young family members a chance to identify and support causes that resonate with them, and endows future family leaders with a sense of fiscal and social responsibility.
Sixth Sense grants are guided by a “for kids, from kids” philosophy. Grants traditionally support programs and organizations that cater specifically to youth, often in the environmental and educational realms.
Sixth Sense committee members gain valuable fundraising experience by organizing an annual campaign to raise money for their grantmaking activities through contributions from Laird Norton family members. The annual budget supports 4-5 grant awards and an all-family service project organized by members of the Sixth Sense committee.
Sixth Sense grants are guided by a “for kids, from kids” philosophy. Grants traditionally support programs and organizations that cater specifically to youth, often in the environmental and educational realms.
Sixth Sense committee members gain valuable fundraising experience by organizing an annual campaign to raise money for their grantmaking activities through contributions from Laird Norton family members. The annual budget supports 4-5 grant awards and an all-family service project organized by members of the Sixth Sense committee.
2011 Sixth Sense Grants
- Big City Mountaineers (CO)
$5,000 In support of one week-long trip in Olympic National Park for young people involved with youth agencies, combining outdoor experience with mentoring - City Youth Now (CA)
$2,500 In support of Project KEEP, providing children taken in to protective custody in San Francisco with a backpack of emergency essentials - EarthCorps (WA)
$2,500 In support of Green Teen Engagement, engaging Seattle teens in week-long environmental service camps - Freedom in Creation (VA)
$5,000 In support of construction of a community center in northern Uganda as well as rehabilitation of an existing community well to provide war-affected children increased access to potable water, art as therapy, and education - Power of Hope (WA)
$5,000 In support of summer camps and workshops, providing arts-based experiential learning programs to teens to help develop leadership skills and build communities
