By Mark Larimer, Foundant Technologies
One of the most satisfying and exciting opportunities we have at Foundant Technologies is to spot and highlight growing trends.
One of the trends we see in our work with over 600 grantmakers is the involvement of youth (ages 8+) during the grantmaking process. These young people represent the future of grantmaking, and their generation’s view of philanthropy is sure to influence the entire charitable community.
We think it’s important not only to pay attention to this trend of youth grantmaking, but also to invest in the development of these young philanthropists. As a result, for the past several years, Foundant has sponsored efforts to engage next gen members in philanthropy. We are proud to have been part of this exciting evolution in the field.
Consider what involving youth could mean for your giving. Think about how you might benefit from a different perspective when evaluating your processes or reconsidering your current funding focus. A young voice can spotlight old habits by asking questions or making suggestions. Youth will also provide insight into how the younger generation views common problems. For example, who better than young people who spend their days immersed in education to provide a unique and grounded perspective to grantmakers in education? Finally, the energy and enthusiasm youth bring to this work are contagious. They put in tremendous effort and thought even for grants many consider small; to them, $1,000 is indeed life changing.
More often than not, youth approach philanthropy differently than adults. When you involve them, you can expect a more hands-on approach. The younger generation expects a relationship with their causes. This relationship, most likely, is as simple as following them via social media, but they want to hear the stories of the people they are helping. Most youth programs we have seen include some type of volunteerism as well.
Here’s an example of how tapping youth energy can transform your organization: One of our family foundation clients had a rather hands-off approach to their giving. They had an outside agency collect, review, and recommend grants. They found that new generations were less involved, and the philanthropic process was becoming more about the money and less about the cause. They realized they needed to make a change if they wanted to live up to their mission. They changed their entire organization to engage their youth, and, in turn, their families:
- They created a youth board, empowered them with funds, and gave them authority to grant those funds.
- They plan local service projects and, every two years, international service trips for the entire family, young and old, to meet the people their grants help and gain perspective on the triumphs accomplished and challenges remaining.
- They have made the youth an integral part of their organization through continued training in philanthropy and essential professional skills.
When family members and youth are involved in an organization’s philanthropy, everyone becomes reenergized. Increased participation leaves family members feeling more connected to the process and its impact. Instead of focusing on how much money is given in a year, for example, attention is drawn to stories, updates, and the resulting impact of the giving, which make the entire process feel more personal.
Are you ready to get started? Dive in! Engaging youth philanthropists now—when they are young—provides an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn from one another and for the older generations to be involved in charting the path forward.
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Mark Larimer leads the Client Services and Marketing teams at Foundant Technologies. Foundant is the fastest growing company providing grants management solutions to over 600 grantmakers of all types and sizes. Mark’s high-tech career includes time with Extended Systems (acquired by Sybase) and RightNow Technologies (Nasdaq: RNOW) prior to helping to found Foundant in 2006. Learn more at foundant.com.
