Youth in Philanthropy: Youth Civic Engagement through the Work of Community Foundations

Megan Tate, Emerging Leader, International Fellows Program ~ 2004

Abstract

Maintaining that engaged citizens create healthy neighborhoods, cities, and nations, Megan Tate's paper examines how community foundations can encourage volunteering and philanthropic activities among young people.

Ms. Tate indicates that community foundations are taking a lead role in the Youth in movement that is flourishing in Canada and the United States, and emerging internationally. Her paper explores three models of Youth in Philanthropy initiatives: those at the Michigan Community Foundation, the Vancouver Foundation, and The Winnipeg Foundation.

Ms. Tate suggests that community foundations can strengthen their Youth in Philanthropy initiatives by:

• Incorporating Youth Advisory Committee contributions to community foundations, particularly since young people have specific ideas on how they would like to be engaged and want to be part of the decision-making process;
• Encouraging diversity among program participants;
• Finding ways to keep young people engaged after they have graduated from Youth in Philanthropy.

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