Common Cents is a national educational, not-for-profit organization, which specializes in creating and managing service-learning programs for young people between the ages of four and 14.[1] Common Cent's most popular and best known program is The Penny Harvest, the largest child philanthropy program in the United States.[2]
Other Common Cents programs include the Student Community Action Fund (a high school leadership council.)
History
Common Cents grew from the desire of a four-year-old Nora Gross (Co-Founder) to feed a homeless man in 1990. That need led her to ask her father (Teddy Gross Co-Founder and Executive Director), how she could help.[3] In 1990, Teddy Gross and Nora Gross conducted the first Penny Harvest in an effort to collect money to feed and clothe New York City's homeless.
Awards
Common Cents is the winner of the 2007 NY1 New Yorker of the Year award.[4] Common Cents was also shortlisted for the 2007 Carl Bertelsmann's Award.
Leadership
The organization's co-founder and Executive Director is Teddy Gross.
Funding
Common Cents receives major funding from several major foundations and the government including:
The Ford Foundation, Foundation for Jewish Community, JPMorgan Chase, The New York City Council, The New York City Department of Education.
