With the dawn of 2025, philanthropy continues to evolve, illustrating how giving and community engagement are reshaping societal norms and expectations. Recent initiatives highlight the transformative power of generosity, especially as organizations seek innovative ways to inspire younger generations to take part in philanthropy and community service.
One noteworthy effort is the Idaho Community Foundation's launch of the Idaho Youth in Philanthropy Project (YIPP), aimed at engaging rural high school students. This program offers six high school groups across rural Idaho the chance to distribute $5,000 to local nonprofits. Kevin Bailey, vice president for impact and nonprofit center at the ICF, stated, "This project aims to equip Idaho's rural youth with skills in leadership,critical thinking, and collaboration." Through engaging hands-on experiences, students will gain insights about the grant-making process and nonprofit operations, fostering future leaders committed to sustained community involvement.
Applications for the program are open until December 6, 2024, with selected schools announced early the following year. The initiative is part of ICF's larger mission to keep resources localized, with 96% of its grant funding directed toward Idaho's immediate needs. With over 35 years of experience, ICF's efforts highlight the significant role local philanthropy can play.
Pivoting to disaster relief, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy emphasizes disaster risk reduction (DRR) as substantially underfunded yet critically necessary. November 14 marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, where the theme, "Empowering the next generation for a resilient future," resonates deeply. Over the years, disasters have severely affected education, with more than 80,000 schools damaged or destroyed, implicatively impacting over 1 billion children worldwide. This year’s theme calls for integrating age-appropriate education about disaster preparedness and safety.
DRR involves identifying potential risks within communities, allowing for advanced planning to mitigate natural hazards like storms, floods, and earthquakes. Paola Albrito, Director of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasized its significance, stating, "The focus of DRR is building resilience by preventing disasters.” Workshop discussions spearheaded by CDP during the International Day’s observance indicated the necessity for sustained investment prior to disaster emergencies. Each dollar invested in DRR can save ten dollars during recovery phases, reinforcing the notion of financial prudence alongside humanitarian responsibility.
Despite compelling evidence of DRR’s effectiveness, only 1% of global disaster philanthropy targets this preventive sector, with much of the funding trapped within immediate response efforts. This raises questions about priorities within the philanthropic community, as many initiatives focus disproportionately on crisis rather than prevention, leading to what could be termed "reactive philanthropy" rather than proactive engagement.
Children play a pivotal role within DRR conversations, yet they often remain overlooked. Representing up to 30% of the global population, children face unique vulnerabilities during disasters—both immediate physical risks and long-term psychological impacts. By actively involving children—through crisis preparedness drills and safety education—communities can cultivate more resilient environments. Engaging youth to monitor local risks or participate actively fortifies their sense of power and responsibility.
Meanwhile, the recent passing of Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot, shifts the lens onto the future of philanthropy and the generational transfer of wealth and responsibility. Marcus' extensive philanthropy—over $2.7 billion through his foundation—spans various causes: medical research, support for veterans, democracy, and education, with his final acts prominently highlighting Jewish causes including significant investments to organizations promoting Jewish heritage.
Marcus emphasized his belief of redistributing wealth to encourage those who have benefited to reinvest it back within society. He along with his wife Billi, was one of the first signatories of the Giving Pledge, committing to give away most of their wealth during their lifetimes. His philanthropic legacy embodies the vision of giving not only for the benefit of others but also to encourage the next generation of givers.
This kind of culture around philanthropy aligns closely with the work of leaders like Carmen Rojas, President and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation. Rojas has pronounced challenges against traditional philanthropy, calling for equity and accountability. She emphasizes listening and responding to those directly affected by systemic issues. Her leadership style, referred to as “servant leadership,” focuses on elevatory practices of giving; and creating pathways for communities to dictate their needs rather than receive top-down directives.
Rojas, who began her educational pursuits at UC Santa Cruz, underscored the importance of mentorship and educational systems to facilitate meaningful careers dedicated to social justice. Her work through MCF not only provides financial support but also allows community organizations to thrive sustainably without being relegated to reliance on unpredictable funding streams.
Across the board, the rising trend of gamifying giving is gaining traction, exemplified by institutions like the University of Victoria (UVic), gearing up for innovative Giving Tuesday initiatives. These gamified approaches utilize technology to increase engagement and enthusiasm for charitable donations, ensuring more people are involved, particularly targeting younger audiences who may resonate with game mechanics.
Such moves signal the increasing intersection between technology and philanthropy, where video games, mobile applications, and digital engagement platforms create seamless connections for fundraising. This encourages donors to engage more actively with charities rather than simply providing financial support. Engaging experiences can deepen appreciation for the causes, establishing relationships rather than transactions.
Further, as the philanthropic sector navigates this pivotal moment fraught with challenges—from the impacts of climate change to the stories of individual grief and resilience— it is clear the need for innovative and meaningful approaches to giving has never been more pressing. Collectively, organizations and individuals must work not only to embody their philanthropic values but also to amplify them by engaging diverse communities, creating pathways for collaborative change, and assuring future generations are equipped to continue this necessary work.
Investing time, skills, and considerable thought can transform not just the lives of individuals, but the collective future of communities. Whether it emerges through youth engagement projects, proactive disaster funding, or innovative funding models demonstrated by leaders like Rojas and Marcus, the evolution of philanthropy reflects the growing recognition of community voices, ensuring equitable contributions toward lasting positive impact.
