The question was posed at one of CBC’s Amplify luncheons last year: “What would you do with $150 million if you had to use it toward some type of development initiative in Cleveland?

Each of the four panelists that day — experts, in our eyes — not surprisingly provided provocative responses that were specific to their construction and development trades. I attempted to answer likewise in an ensuing column, primarily because the Amplify discussions had not touched on what I believe is our most important demographic: the children of Northeast Ohio.

So, I bequeathed most of my $150 million toward the benefit of our youth. But, of course, that generosity was only a hypothetical.

That’s one reason why I’m particularly proud that we have put together this issue, which is dedicated to nonprofit organizations and community service. Eight of our 16 bylined stories — including the lead article of a Centerpoint section that this month focuses on mentoring — pertain to children.

This scenario did not occur by design. In developing the editorial game plan, we simply found many of the most intriguing nonprofit-related stories in this area are specific to helping today’s youth. And that’s a good thing.

On pages 14 and 34, you’ll read about kids who are learning life’s lessons as members of Girls on the Run and The First Tee of Cleveland.

On page 30, you’ll see that students in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood enjoy access to a state-of-the-art healthy-living learning campus that was funded by the St. Luke’s Foundation.

And on page 20, you’ll find that youth mentoring is alive and well in Greater Cleveland. We spotlight the relationship between adult entrepreneur Jeff Nischwitz and business owner Blaine Mickens, who turns 20 this month.

Nischwitz, who guides fellow adults for a living, best summed up my feelings upon being asked why he uses some of his valuable time to mentor a teen at no cost.

“I love it. The way to make a difference in the world is to work with young people. They’re generally more open, and frankly they have more of their life in front of them. I’m just planting the seeds.”

Sow enough of those seeds, and we’ll recoup that $150 million and then some.

Admittedly not a big fan of photo shoots, Dan Gilbert asked the group on the other side of the camera to rattle off a few jokes; anything to force a smile while he posed for photographer Don Bensman. Regrettably, if there’s anything I’m really, really, bad at, it’s remembering jokes. I couldn’t even think of a good University of Michigan one-liner for Gilbert, who, as a Michigan State grad, no doubt would have appreciated as much.

Fortunately, a Cavaliers representative came up with something about a bear walking into a bar, and Gilbert — as you can see from the cover of this month’s issue of CBC — gave us his best grin for a half-hour on a recent Sunday afternoon.

More often than not, Gilbert was the one who had everyone laughing inside the Quicken Loans Arena conference room, just an hour before his Cavaliers were slated to take the court against the Boston Celtics. Although a billionaire, he seems like an ordinary (albeit busy) 48-year-old guy from Detroit. I was appreciative of that, considering I’m a month shy of being an ordinary 46-year-old guy from Cleveland. We have at least a little bit in common, not counting a few million bucks here and there.

While discussing “Red Right 88” — the Brian Sipe interception that Gilbert happened to witness in person inside Cleveland Stadium in 1981 — I noted that I had cried after the Browns’ playoff loss that winter day. Sheepishly, I added that I was  a junior in high school at the time and was probably a little too old to be shedding tears over a sporting event.

“What are you talking about?” Gilbert shot back. “I still haven’t STOPPED crying since Game 6 last year.”

“Game 6” would be the Cavaliers’ season-ending playoff loss to the Orlando Magic. Blessed with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, Cleveland nonetheless fell six victories shy of the franchise’s first title ever and the city’s first championship since 1964.

Although Gilbert brought up the loss in jest, I sense that he really was bothered by the defeat, at least for a short time. Likewise, I get the feeling he really does care about the city of Cleveland, which is the theme of our cover story on Gilbert on page 29.

Certainly, Cleveland — dubbed the “most miserable” city in the country by Forbes magazine — could use Gilbert’s help these days. Like the Cavs owner, we’re all looking for reasons to make us smile. An NBA championship would fit the bill perfectly, but any joke will do. As long as it’s not on us for a change.