The Generation Project Co-founders Jessica Rauch and Eli Savit

Last April, we asked Rugby Blog readers to weigh in on which of five amazing organizations, all started by Teach for America alums, should receive our first round of Match Rugby grants. More than 12,000 of you voted, and the winner was The Generation Project, an organization that allows people to design and donate personally meaningful gifts that benefit low-income students — a collection of favorite books for a classroom library, or a class trip to a favorite play, for example. Boston-area readers can catch the founders in person tomorrow night, September 23, at Boston Rugby for a special fundraising event at 7 pm.

Here on the Blog, we caught up with Generation Project Co-Founder Jessica Rauch to see where the organization is now. Check out our Q&A with Jessica after the jump.

Rugby: How did you and your co-founder Eli Savit come up with the idea for The Generation Project?
Jessica Rauch: Both Eli and I are former teachers, and we both saw our students benefit from a wide range of formative experiences — from theater trips to bird-watching to participation in local art, journalism and government programs. We started The Generation Project because we realized that nearly everybody has a unique passion they can share with kids, but there was no venue for people to take an active role in giving to low-income students. The Generation Project allows donors to specifically direct where their money goes, so that individuals from all segments of society can empower their personal vision for education.

Rugby: Back in April, The Generation Project received thousands of votes on the Rugby Blog to become the winner of our first Match Rugby Grant. How has your organization grown since you won the $25,000 grant?
JR: First, we have been able to actively market The Generation Project, resulting in hundreds of opportunities designed and funded for students in need! Second, the $25,000 has allowed us to effectively implement donors’ visions in schools across the country. At the beginning of the school year, teachers and students started applying for pre-funded gifts through our website and our real work began — implementing donors’ visions while enhancing the educational experiences of hundreds of students. It has been thrilling and humbling to see how much one donor can personally do to shift the life prospects of students growing up in poverty.

Rugby: You and Eli did a handful of special fundraising events in Rugby stores across the country last summer. What was it like to meet some of your organization’s supporters in person?
JR: The guests at our events were an amazing mix of people, including local educators, Rugby customers and some of our long-time supporters. Every single attendee engaged in what we do — they designed opportunities for low-income students based on their own passions. As I walked around the Rugby stores at our events, I had countless people tell me about the gifts they were designing for high-need students and the personalized impact they hoped to make. It was truly inspiring to see so many people from all walks of life engaged in expanding opportunities for low-income youth.

Rugby: What’s next for the organization?
JR: This fall, The Generation Project began implementing gifts in Chicago, Detroit, New York and D.C. Next year, we will expand to surrounding areas. Our goal is to be open to every high-need student and school in America within five years. We’ve generated a lot of buzz among potential donors. We’re particularly excited about our college initiative, in which students and campus groups take control of their philanthropic giving by designing gifts for kids in low-income areas. We think that personalized giving is the future of philanthropy, and younger donors’ eagerness to empower their unique visions reinforces our model.

Rugby: Do you have advice for other young people motivated to give back?
JR: Think about your passions and what makes you tick. I can remember how meaningful it was for me to have resources to start a community service club at my high school. For others, it may be music, art, sports or journalism. If you can find a way to use your passions to give to someone in need, it can be incredibly empowering for you and the individuals you hope to help. And don’t let your age or bankroll deter you: one thing we hope that The Generation Project shows is that anybody can make a real, meaningful difference, no matter how old they are or how much money they have.