The Movement Within the

Movement:

….Engaging Youth in Community Foundations and Philanthropy

“This is the first time in the history of the human race that a generation of kids has overtaken their parents in the use of new technology.”

Peter Eio, Lego Systems

“Today’s students average about 14 IQ points higher than their grandparents did… the number of students with IQs above 145 is about 18 times greater than it was 2 generations ago.

David Berliner, Arizona State University

Youth in Philanthropy …integrating:

• Positive youth development• Youth leadership development• Youth civic engagement/activism• Community foundation leadership• Diverse and inclusive communities• Local, regional, national,

international networks

Then and Now….• 1980’s: National Capital Region

Marin County

Michigan

• 1990’s: other states

Canada

• 2000’s: UK, Poland, Australia,

Mexico, Russia….

Growth in Canada • 6 provinces: BC, Alberta,

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick

• Quebec in planning stages• 55 CFs with YACs; many more in

development• Variety of models; common

purpose• Linking regionally, nationally,

internationally

International growth• USA: Over 300 YACs in 30 states• Australia, New Zealand• Mexico• Poland, Slovakia• Russia• Northern Ireland, Scotland• Azerbaijan

Why engage youth in community foundations?

• More informed grantmaking• Enhanced credibility• Enhanced visibility• Capacity-building: foundation and sector• Reflects diversity• Development opportunities• Connections, opportunities, partnerships

Why do youth get involved?

• Leadership and skills training• Community service hours • Experience for employment opportunities• Qualification for awards and scholarships• Interesting, fun; sense of control, power• opportunity to make positive change• Learning about community, issues

Options for Youth Engagement in CFs

• Member of grants committee• Member of other committees• Involvement in planning, needs

assessments• Board member• School-based committee• Community-based youth advisory council• Partner youth organization• Internships, staffing

Challenges• Adult advisors• Recruitment • Information/communication• Operational funding• Integration into CF• Adult attitudes

Learnings• It takes patience• Avoid one-size-fits-all approach• Appropriate adult advisor• Be inclusive• Create the space• Provide training and trust; avoid

tokenism

Learnings …continued

• Have faith; be prepared to live with chaos

• Listen and learn• Integrate into the organization• Support peer training and

networking• Acknowledge their contribution• Feed, water, and watch them grow

YIP: Next level• Evaluation, measuring

effectiveness• On-line resources• On-line learning, mentoring,

collaboration• Alumni networks• Integration into broader CF work• Strategic use of networks

What will it take?• Human and financial resources• Dissemination of information, tools • Understanding effective youth

engagement• Data collection, evaluation• Systems/ complexity/ network thinking• Communication, coordination• Vision

“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation.”

• Pearl S. Buck