What Makes an Excellent Youth Philanthropy Program?

The first five principles are taken from an evaluation of youth philanthropy programs nationwide written by Pam Garza and Pam Stevens called Best Practices in Youth Philanthropy (Coalition of Community Foundations for Youth, 2002).

1. Successful youth philanthropy programs are supported by a collaboration among organizations and structures that have collectively the capacity to effectively engage young people in leadership and grantmaking .
2. Successful youth philanthropy programs form partnerships between youth and adults in which young people have significant decision-making roles.
3. Successful youth philanthropy programs open avenues for connections between youth and their peers, youth and adults, and youth and other community organizations.
4. Successful youth philanthropy programs build the skills and knowledge of youth and adults to design, implement and manage the program.
5. Successful youth philanthropy programs develop mechanisms and resources to increase program stability and longevity.
6. Successful Jewish youth philanthropy programs use Jewish themes and lenses to frame reflective discussion of the interactions and dilemmas that youth experience when they deploy wealth in the world, and of the role of wealth and power in the lives of participants, the community, and the Jewish people.

Tools for developing a youth philanthropy program in your community around these principles of excellence can be found in our Resources and Programs/Activities sections.

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