Young Professionals Group Launches at Big Thought

By Mario Tarradell, Public Relations & Marketing Manager

Giving back is always important, no matter the age. Dallas is teeming with young couples (and singles, too!) that earn a good living in rewarding careers. So it’s no surprise that the city is following the national trend of youth philanthropy.

According to the 2014 Millennial Impact Report, 87% of millennial employees donated to a nonprofit organization in 2013, while 97% of millennials prefer using their individual skills to help a cause.

In Dallas, philanthropic groups of young professionals are currently active with nonprofits such as United Way, American Red Cross, Dallas CASA, Ronald McDonald House and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Now we can add Big Thought’s Young Professionals Group.

Founders Alison and DeWitt Corrigan are ready to launch Big Thought’s inaugural Young Professionals Group with a mission statement that completely aligns with the education nonprofit organization’s purpose:

Big Thought’s Young Professionals Group aims to fervently bring awareness to the opportunity gap that disproportionately affects our most underserved youth. We believe that equitable education coupled with the power of the imagination can inspire, empower and unite Dallas’ most vulnerable children and communities. To ensure these kids have bright futures, our group of passionate professionals in their mid-20s to early 40s combines mission-focused networking events with pathways for community engagement and volunteerism. 

For the Corrigans, the passion for philanthropy comes from a deep, spiritual level.

“We believe wholeheartedly that God calls us to serve those in the community who may not be as fortunate as we are,” says Alison Corrigan, 28, a Research Assistant at The Center for BrainHealth. “This is something we want to do throughout our entire lives, not just in retirement or after someone has ‘made it’ professionally. As young professionals build their business careers, it is perfect time to build a philanthropic career right along with it.” 

The couple chose Big Thought through rewarding personal experience. When Alison Corrigan taught at Teach for America, a nonprofit organization in Dallas, and during her time working in Dallas schools, she saw the very students that Big Thought regularly serves. 

“I really wanted to get involved with this organization in a deeper way,” she says.

DeWitt Corrigan, a 29-year-old who owns a tech startup company and also does consulting in that field, joined forces with Big Thought to ensure Dallas’ future.

“As a Dallas native, I know first hand the great work Big Thought has done over the past few decades,” he says. “The mission of Big Thought is close to our hearts and we want a new generation of Dallasites to know and love the work they do, too.”

The first general meeting of Big Thought’s Young Professionals Group will be Jan. 27 at 6 pm at Big Thought, 1409 S. Lamar Street, Suite 1015, in Dallas. Membership will be $75 per person or $140 per couple. You can also earn membership by volunteering in three events a year and serving on a committee.

Membership provides numerous opportunities to engage in mission-focused events, including volunteer opportunities with Big Thought partners, awareness-building social events, access to meet with leaders in civic and education establishments, and an opportunity to engage with likeminded young professionals.

But the ultimate goal remains simple – to impact the lives of children in Dallas.

“The younger we involve ourselves the quicker we will understand the implications of education on our city’s future and Big Thought’s role in supporting Dallas education,” says DeWitt Corrigan. “For us it’s also a generational issue. You may impact one child but then that child turns around and changes their community. That’s where the real change comes from.”

The Corrigans know what many millennials in Dallas and nationally understand – that spreading the philanthropic wealth isn’t just about donating dollars.

“It’s about helping kids build their own personal capital through creative outlets, educational opportunities, life experiences – so many things besides monetary contributions,” says Alison Corrigan. “When it comes to helping children, quality time goes just as far – if not further – than fiscal donations alone.”