We are thrilled to announce the New England Youth Philanthropy Gathering in Greater Boston on Sunday, November 20th, 2016.  The gathering will be held at Brandeis University planned in partnership with local programs and YPC, and generously hosted by the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy.  This will serve as YPC’s Fall Gathering and the second Massachusetts Youth Philanthropy Summit.   To check out the fun from last year, click here.

Registration is now open for Sunday, November 20, 2016:

Check out the program. To register, click herePlease note: Space is limited for this complementary event so register early!

Thank you to our amazing planning committee which includes Andrus Family Philanthropy Program, Brandeis University’s Sillerman Center, Brookline Community Foundation, Cape Cod Community Foundation, Community Fund of Darien, Foundation for Metrowest, GMA Foundations, Grab the Torch, Hopkinton CC Charitable Foundation, New Canaan Community Foundation, Northestern’s Social Impact Lab, South High School in Worcester, MA, the Rivers School, Tracy Family Foundation, United Jewish Federation KTTC, Youth Philanthropy Connect’s Leadership team, and local youth philanthropy alumni.

Throughout the year, the programs across the community partnered to create content about youth philanthropy across the region– created by youth philanthropists for youth philanthropists.  To sign up to receive these updates, click here or stay tuned to our YPC Newsletter!  Check out the video below to learn about one of our local program partners.

Youth in Philanthropy at the Foundation for MetroWest is more than an extracurricular program. Through a rich, skills-based curriculum, teens broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of their communities, local needs, and their own strengths and capacities as civic leaders. They learn how to influence positive change in the world, starting right at home in Metrowest.

Since 1997, the Foundation has educated over 1,100 young people and helped them discover the power of philanthropy when they help us allocate funds to youth-serving organizations. In 2016, over 250 students in 14 programs will allocate nearly $110,000 in funds to organizations in our community.

The experience our teens gain is as valuable as the grants they make. Youth in Philanthropy participants acquire powerful leadership and life skills as they learn first-hand what it takes to:

  • Work as a team
  • Present convincing arguments
  • Build consensus among peers
  • Speak publicly before peers and adults
  • Evaluate proposals and prioritize needs
  • Understand a budget

Comments from Youth in Philanthropy members:
I joined Youth in Philanthropy because I’m really passionate about helping people in need. YIP is different because there isn’t really another opportunity to learn how to get involved and give money away like this to support organizations in our town. It has really pushed what I want to do with my life in a different direction.

We learned that there isn’t one right answer in philanthropy. All of the organizations are doing good work and it was hard to choose who to fund. Luckily we also learned that there are other ways to support nonprofits.

One of the first things we learned was the meaning of the word consensus. The program also taught us about compromise and how to work together as a team to do something great.