Fall 2001

What We've Learned
Lessons in Giving: 
The KIDS Plus: Youth in Philanthropy Program

by Lynn Haglin, vice president/KIDS PLUS director, Northland Foundation

Last year the Northland Foundation in Duluth collaborated with its long-time partner, Minnesota Power, to launch the KIDS PLUS: Youth In Philanthropy Program as a way to teach young people about the art of giving and the importance of civic involvement. The program is on the cutting edge of a growing national movement to infuse young people into leadership and decision-making roles.

The program is a part of Northland's decade-old KIDS PLUS Program, a multi-faceted youth development initiative that serves as the cornerstone of the foundation's long-term strategy to improve the well-being of children and youth in northeastern Minnesota. A core component of the philanthropy program is the Youth In Philanthropy Board, which is comprised of 14 young people, grades eight through 12, and three adult mentors from nine northeastern Minnesota communities. The youth board members have diverse backgrounds, reside in small and large communities and are involved to varying degrees in extracurricular activities.

Members of the Northland Foundation's KIDS PLUS Youth in Philanthropy Board gather to make grant recommendations for youth-focused programming -- and learn valuable lessons about philanthropy in the process.

The board meets quarterly to review grant proposals and make funding recommendations for youth-developed grants, which come from a funding pool designated by Northland each year. Grant awards of up to $1,000 are available to schools and youth-serving organizations for projects that are planned and carried out by young people, and funding recommendations are submitted by youth and an adult advisor. To help young people to participate effectively in the process, Northland has offered regional trainings to introduce young people to the concept of philanthropy and provides opportunities to develop project planning and grantwriting skills.

During the past 12 months, a total of $20,000 has been awarded to 23 youth-developed initiatives. These projects are providing more than 1,000 students from around the region with opportunities to assume leadership roles in areas such as peer mentoring, cultural diversity and community beautification.

"It is really fun being part of a group that is helping other teens who want to make a difference in their schools and communities," says Angie Johnson, a high school junior and chair of the Youth In Philanthropy board. "It is a lot of responsibility deciding which programs will receive funding. This experience has helped me learn more about local needs and I have gained skills that will be useful throughout my life."

The program is all about valuing and recognizing young people as resources and connecting them with their communities in meaningful ways. Lessons learned during the program's first year include:

• Youth grantmaking boards foster involvement. Youth grantmaking programs are an effective means of helping young people feel a sense of connection and civic responsibility as they see their own ideas create positive change. The opportunity to access grant funding stimulates youth involvement in volunteer activities.

• Youth are capable decision-makers. Youth bring creative ideas, fresh perspectives, knowledge of their peers and a sense of community to the decision-making process. Young people develop practical skills through their involvement on the board and in youth-led projects.

• Provide ongoing board development. Orientation sessions, annual retreats and continuing education help youth board members better understand their responsibilities and duties. Staggered board terms and grade levels increase opportunities for peer learning.

• Prepare adult board members for their role. Young people are better decision-makers when they control the meetings. Orientation training with the adult representatives helps to clarify their role as mentors to their younger peers.

• Keep the process simple. Create easy-to-read grant guidelines and an application form. Structure the grant review process to encourage all board members to voice their opinions. Meetings should be orderly, but allow for informal exchange between members.

• Provide training and technical assistance. Ongoing educational efforts are necessary to help young people, and their adult advisors, learn the basics of grantwriting and project planning.

• Be committed and respectful. Involving young people on a board requires continuous encouragement and genuine caring. Dedicated staff is critical to making the youth involvement authentic and the process work well.

• Recognize board members. Take the time to hold celebration and recognition activities to thank youth and adult board members for the time and energy they commit to the program.

• Have fun! All program-related activities should include opportunities to build relationships and rapport. Serving food and snacks helps the decision-making process to go smoothly.

The KIDS PLUS: Youth In Philanthropy Program taps the energy of young people to address local needs. We have learned that when opportunities are created for youth to be involved in philanthropy they rise to the occasion. We encourage organizations to seek ways to build the capacity of youth as resources.  GF

More Information

Northland Foundation KIDS PLUS: Youth In Philanthropy Program
www.northlandfdn.org/yiptraining.htm
Learn more about the program's application guidelines and instructions.

Minnesota Toolkit for Giving's Youth Philanthropy Resources
www.minnesotagiving.org/resources/youth.htm
The Toolkit offers a variety of resources for involving young people in philanthropy.

© Copyright 2001 Minnesota Council on Foundations
Reproduction in any form without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited.