9-year-old Grant Skelton started his own not-for-profit foundation to help the homeless, others in need

Grant Skelton's grandparents decided to teach their grandson a lesson about generosity, so for Christmas they gave him money, with the stipulation he use it to help someone else.

Just 8 years old at the time, Grant was at odds with what to do with the money.

He called his pastor, Tom Sullenger at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, to ask his advice.

"I told him there was always plenty of need," Sullenger said. "We had a man living in a van, and I told Grant that he would be the kind of person who would both appreciate it and need it."

Grant agreed, and passed the money on to Sullenger to give to the man.

What surprised Grant was the feeling he got by giving the money away to help someone else.

"That made me feel great," he said.

It made him feel so great, he asked his mom, Kara Skelton, whether there was some way he could keep helping people in need.

That good feeling led him to do something few children so young have done: start a not-for-profit organization, the Granting Grace Foundation.

Kara said Grant came up with the name on his own. Not only that, but he also chose a scripture verse, Acts 20:35, as a tagline for the organization: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Anyone knows a not-for-profit organization requires a board of directors, so Grant got busy and formed one with people at his church.

Three others on the 10-member board are, like Grant, children. They include Madeline Hendrickson, 10, Lydia Pobst, 11, and her 9-year-old sister, Layla Pobst.

There also is a high-school student on the board, Hayden Smee. The other five members are adults Grant chose, with the help of Sullenger.

Every 501(c)(3) needs a logo, and Grant had an idea for that, too.

Now 9 years old, he worked with a young graphic artist, 17-year-old Jackson High School student Tyler Macke, to come up with the logo: a house with a heart that has a chimney out of which little hearts are floating.

"He's done everything on his own," Kara said.

She said she and her husband, Mike Skelton, are very proud, and for good reason.

So far, Granting Grace has collected about $2,000 from donations.

Sullenger said Grant steps to the pulpit to make announcements and to ask fellow members of the congregation to help out by giving donations.

So far, about a third of the money has been disbursed to people in the community, most of whom are not members of Grace UMC, but who have asked for a helping hand.

Who gets the money is at the discretion of Sullenger. The average amount of the gifts is $50 to $75.

It seems a fitting sum, since $75 is the total amount Grant originally received from his two sets of grandparents.

Though $2,000 is certainly a good start for a foundation to accumulate, Grant realized to keep the organization going, he'd need to raise money.

Some ideas Grant has for fundraisers include holding a trivia night and having bake sales and car washes.

The first fundraiser, however, is a bit more ambitious.

On Sunday, Aug. 21, Granting Grace will hold a gospel concert at Grace UMC, 521 Caruthers Ave. in Cape Girardeau.

The music will start at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6. Tickets are $12.

Kara said they've printed 300 tickets and are hoping to sell out before the concert, but tickets will be available at the door.

Mike Dumey, a family friend who is choir director at Centenary United Methodist Church, has organized the concert, which will start with a choral performance.

The choir will be made up of members from the churches' choirs.

Several solo performances will follow and will be given by Mary Bauer Niswonger, Broderick Twiggs and Laura Arthur.

For more information about the event, contact Grace UMC at (573) 334-1321.