Jewish teen philanthropy developed from the strong foundation of the secular youth philanthropy movement.
Beginning in the late 1980s, communities across North America began to view philanthropy and grantmaking as a powerful way to reach teens. Growing numbers of schools, community centers, and religious organizations brought young people together to engage in the philanthropic process. Participants in these programs grappled with real issues, made decisions, and ultimately awarded grants to organizations in their community.
Youth philanthropy grew in the 1990s across the United States, with large scale programs rising in the Midwest, specifically in Indiana, Iowa and Michigan. National philanthropy organizations developed youth philanthropy initiatives, including the Foundation Center and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Here are some recent publications on the field of youth philanthropy:
- Scanning the Landscape of Youth Philanthropy: Observations and Recommendations for Strenghthening a Growing Field, Foundation Center, 2014.
- Women Give 2013: New Research on Charitable Giving by Girls and Boys, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, University of Indiana, 2013.
- Philanthropy in Colleges and Universities, Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, Northern Kentucky University, 2010.
- A Vision for and Brief History of Youth Philanthropy, Katherine Hahn Falk and Luana G. Nissan, Assocation of Fundraising Professionals, 2007.
- Youth Grantmakers, Michigan Community Foundations' Youth Project, 2003.
- Best Practices in Youth Philanthropy, Pam Garza and Pam Stevens, Coalition of Community Foundations for Youth, 2002.
- Youth Philanthropy: A Framework of Best Practice, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, 2002.
- Changing the Face of Giving, Youth Leadership Initiative, The James Irvine Foundation, 2001.