After judging the volunteer work and fundraising efforts of teenagers across the country, Mackenzie Investments has named an 18-year-old from Calgary Canada’s top teen philanthropist.

For winning the national contest, Jane Wu will receive a $1,000 prize from Mackenzie, as well as a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

Five runners-up will also receive $500 grants to their preferred charities.

“We have been astounded by these teens’ dedication to the causes they care about. Jane’s tireless and creative efforts across a variety of programs have enriched her community – she is the gold standard of a generation that understands the true meaning of philanthropy,” said Brad Offman, vp of strategic philanthropy at Mackenzie Investments.

Wu won the prize for the community work she has done since she was 12, including serving as chair of the Calgary Youth Foundation and co-chair of the Mayor’s Youth Council. She has also helped raise tens of thousands of dollars over the years for initiatives such as Opening Doors Rental Subsidies for Youth, a program that works to make schools, churches and community halls cheaper to rent for organized activities.

Wu has also worked extensively with Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, through which she created an annual conference called Beauty and Brains. The conference introduces young women to the full range of program and career opportunities available to them, particularly ones perceived to be more suited to men.

Wu raised more than $5,000 two years in a row to establish the free event, attracting more than 100 women in Calgary each year.

“For me, philanthropy is the process of turning time, knowledge, heart and money into something truly priceless — real change,” commented Wu. “This is a truly humbling experience for me. I’ve met a lot of young people who have done incredible things, so to me, this award represents what youth in Canada are doing for philanthropy.”

Wu has chosen to donate the $5,000 award from Mackenzie to Child and Youth Friendly Calgary.

Runners up in the competition included Scarborough, Ontario’s Jessica Szeto, 16, who traveled to China to film a documentary about boarding schools for impoverished children, Victoria, B.C.’s Jeneece Edroff, 14, who has raised more than $1.25 million for Variety, The Children’s Charity, Ottawa’s Calvin Mitchell, 15, who spearheaded a fundraising group for Free the Children, St. Hilaire, Quebec’s Olivier Cossette, 15, who has raised more than $50,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, and Mississauga, Ontario’s Arnav Agarwal, 16, who leads child, youth and family programs for the YMCA.

“It’s inspiring to see so many teens dedicating their time and raising funds to support the causes they wholeheartedly believe in,” commented Monica Patten, president and CEO of Community Foundations of Canada.

IE