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Research confirms efficacy of Three Pillars Youth Philanthropy Program Design

Oak Park, Ill. — Teen participants of an innovative community program achieved remarkably higher rates of philanthropic action compared to national data — 100% higher on some indicators, according to a report released by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

“Youth Philanthropy: Studying Outcomes of Community Engagement,” written by Dr. Patricia Snell Herzog, was based on five years of research (2019-23) conducted in partnership with Three Pillars Initiative (TPI), a national program that teaches the art, science and business of philanthropy to the next generation through hands-on civic engagement.

TPI’s “Three Pillars Philanthropy” program focuses on the educational components of fundraising, grantmaking and volunteering.

“One of my longest research interests is understanding the lived experiences of young people, especially as they transition from youth into emerging adults,” said Herzog, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the school, “This youth philanthropy program is a perfect nexus of those interests.”

The study concludes that TPI graduates’ rates of charitable giving, fundraising, volunteering and community engagement are 39% to 73% higher than national rates. In addition, they have 41% to 100% more philanthropy knowledge and skills than national norms.

Teens also leave the program with 93% to 100% larger networks of engaged peers and supportive adults. The research demonstrates the strong link between teen participation in philanthropy earlier in their formative years and their engagement in civic leadership later in life.

For the study, TPI launched its program with leaders in 12 communities in seven states, representing rural, suburban and urban locations.

These locations include local communities such as Naperville, Oak Park, Evanston, Elmhurst, and St. Charles. Using curriculum designed for high school juniors and seniors, local adult volunteer mentors were trained to deliver the comprehensive two-year program. TPI provided technical assistance to help communities organize parents, teens, mentors, high schools, nonprofits and donors to launch and operate their programs.

The first test of the “Three Pillars Philanthropy” design — the Future Philanthropists Program — was launched in 2010 by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation in Oak Park, Ill. Since then, 338 students have participated in FFP, distributing a total of $370,000 in grants to local nonprofits, building a fundraising endowment in excess of $1.2 million and providing more than 2,400 hours of volunteer service in the community.

“Helping teens develop and apply their people skills and critical thinking can result in significant levels of service,” observed Joe Smith, a veteran FPP mentor and TPI board secretary. He cited a 2022 project called “Ukraine Aid,” where FPP students organized a three-day event that collected nearly 2 tons of supplies that for women, children and the elderly in Ukraine.

“The beauty of the program design is its ability to keep teens’ attention focused on civic engagement even though they are inundated with classwork, clubs and extracurriculars as upper classmen,” said Rick King, TPI’s board president. “The learning is fun because they are able to immediately apply what they learn to real-life situations, with real money and real people.”

The commitment of local adult volunteer mentors is the linchpin of the program’s success, he added, saying, “The mentors’ ability to not only impart philanthropy knowledge and skills but also provide teens with a caring, inclusive and supportive environment is one of the many factors that perpetuate the students’ loyalty and commitment to the program.”

Remy Sheehan, TPS’ senior program officer who managed the 12 community programs, said, “It typically takes six to eight months to get a local program launched. So, for community leaders who want to start their own program in the 2025-26 school year, the timing of the (Lilly) report is perfect.”

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