Institute for Philanthropy

WFT has invested £370,000 over three years, to launch the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative in Scotland.

In the first year, this innovative citizenship programme will be rolled out to ten schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with over 1,500 pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 taking part and ten local charities sharing £30,000.  In the third year, this will have increased to over 9,000 young people from 50 secondary schools across Scotland engaging with 200 charities, who will benefit from a portion of £150,000 of investment.

Scottish pupils taking part in YPI will work in small teams to consider the needs of their local community and identify a grassroots social service charity they believe can make a positive contribution.  Having learnt how to analyse the charity's management, budget, strategy and staffing arrangements, build relationships with the charity's representatives, plus skills training in advocacy and public speaking, teams will give a presentation on why their proposed charity deserves the £3,000 support.

YPI is an excellent way to broaden the horizons of young people as well as support grassroots charities.  The ultimate goal over the next three years is to help create a new generation of caring and tolerant young citizens.