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Youth Philanthropy Task Force Launches New Resources to Authentically Engage Youth

Learning to Give, an endowed program of CMF, worked in close partnership with several CMF members, youth and nonprofit leaders across the state through the Youth Philanthropy Task Force. We’re sharing the guides and resources created through the task force’s work and how you can utilize them to effectively and authentically engage youth in your work.

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A group of youth sitting in a circle outside.

CMF seeks to foster the growth and development of current and future philanthropy leaders – a commitment named in our Equity at the Center strategic framework. We continue to explore new opportunities to equip CMF members with resources to meaningfully engage youth in their work and support youth already leading in their communities.

Community foundations across Michigan have been engaging youth in their grantmaking process for over 20 years through Youth Advisory Councils (YACs). The Michigan Community Foundation's Youth Project (MCFYP) is the statewide youth philanthropy council for Michigan, made up of youth who currently are or have recently served on a YAC.

MCFYP committee members take an active role in service and grantmaking through the Youth Grantmakers Summer Leadership Conference and regional trainings. They also help develop youth philanthropy throughout the state, nation and even the world.

Learning to Give (LTG), an endowed program of CMF, worked in close partnership with several CMF members, youth, MCFYP leaders and nonprofit leaders across the state to identify gaps and opportunities to nurture and empower youth voice and youth philanthropy.

Over the course of one year, the Youth Philanthropy Task Force participated in shared learning together and collaborated to research and curate practices that engage youth as valued participants in philanthropy today and for the future. 

Designed for foundations, nonprofits, youth leaders, educators, parents and more, the all-new Best Practices for Youth Engagement guide highlights tips and resources to help amplify diverse youth voices and invite youth into collaboration and innovation spaces that serve the community, including:

  • Examples of ways organizations have included youth in decision-making positions.
  • Engaging diverse groups of youth.
  • Overcoming barriers to youth engagement in philanthropy.
  • Guidance for project facilitation and facilitator roles.

Members of the task force additionally collaborated in developing three project guides to help foundations and community groups engage effectively with youth to empower them as philanthropists who make a difference with their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony:

  • How to guide an effective service-learning project.
  • How to develop philanthropy challenges.
  • Workshops for youth and youth facilitators.

“One of the things we know is required to support young leaders is for adults to know what their roles are. These guides provide valuable resources on how adults can be in more of a partnership role and authentically engage youth,” Lindsey Barrett, associate program officer at The Skillman Foundation and task force member, said.

Barrett collaborated with CMF members and nonprofit leaders on the task force to develop the Youth-Led Service-Learning Project, a specific process in which youth learn about their communities and how they can help others with their time and talent.

“A lot of our work in philanthropy has a direct impact on young people and their communities. The service-learning guide provides a set of tools and resources that invite young people in as leaders to be able to design their own solutions rather than us designing for them,” Barrett said. 

Tryphena Clarke, community engagement officer at Ruth Mott Foundation and task force member, supported the development of the Youth-Led Workshops Guide, which outlines how to nurture youth leadership in developing workshops that empower youth and adults to learn, collaborate and activate others.

“We really worked to develop engagement models that will educate and empower youth in philanthropy in relevant ways that resonate with young people and support building a more diverse sector,” Clarke said.

As CMF begins our year-long 50th anniversary celebration that will engage the Michigan community of philanthropy in conversations around the state, we are reminded how important it will be to create spaces for youth voice.

“Youth are leaders of today and not just the future. We have to start interacting and engaging with them early to help support their development, so they are able to be strong contributors to their community,” Clarke said.

Want more?

Read more about the Youth Philanthropy Task Force.

Access the best practices guide and tools in CMF’s Knowledge Center. 

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