Youth in Philanthropy

Teaching teens how to change the world starts at home

We believe that adults are not the only ones who can take part in local giving. Through our innovative Youth in Philanthropy program, middle school and high students across MetroWest are discovering the power of philanthropy by working in teams to help us select and award grants to local youth-serving nonprofits.

Since 1997, our Youth in Philanthropy program has engaged more than 1,250 youth, who awarded more than $1,100,000 in grants to hundreds of nonprofits. One of the first and largest programs of its kind, the Foundation for MetroWest now offers a dozen Youth in Philanthropy sessions annually, including intensive Summer Institutes for Youth Leadership.

As enthusiasm for this powerful youth leadership model spreads across the region, our programs continue to grow. After a successful independent evaluation in 2014, our Board of Trustees approved a five-year strategic plan to dramatically increase the program’s reach.

In 2015, the Foundation continued to introduce new programs across MetroWest and offered the Summer Institute for Youth Leadership for a second year. In 2016, in addition to launching three new programs, the Foundation received a major gift to explore strategies to ensure that the program is sustainable for years to come. Look for exciting new programs and initiatives in 2017!

Together, let’s help more of MetroWest’s youth grow into philanthropists.

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What our youth are saying

“I was making a difference, not only in learning more and broadening my education…but I was also having a tangible impact on someone my own age.”

Erica CaglieroYouth in Philanthropy Participant

“It’s remarkable to see how YIP impacts students – they start to connect the dots between needs, assets, and this nebulous concept of community. They realize that they have the power to make a difference.”

YIP Instructor

“I now know that whatever I end up doing with my life, giving back to my community will always be a part of me. This is because YIP changed my outlook on everything, to me success is no longer just getting good grades, getting into a good school and having a successful career; I see so much more in life. Success is improving the community and the life of people around me.”

Ben ScireYIP Hopkinton, 2016

“YIP has given me so many amazing opportunities to meet other young philanthropists and change-makers that I would never have met otherwise. It has truly fostered my sense of self and love of social justice.”

Sofia GarciaYIP Nashoba Brooks School, 2016 and 2017

“Horace Mann Educational Associations is so appreciative of the hard work and time the Youth In Philanthropy participants put forth. This grant will allow us to offer more direct services to children on the autism spectrum.”

Doug MacPhersonYouth in Philanthropy Grantee. HMEA VP of Development & Public Relations

Foundation for MetroWest
3 Eliot Street, Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508.647.2260

The Foundation for MetroWest has a simple philosophy: You can make a world of difference in your own backyard.

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