Youth Philanthropy Initiative will launch in 2026 at IU Indianapolis
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and IU Indianapolis Admissions will launch a Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) in January 2026. The initiative will provide a national forum for the next generation of philanthropic leaders and those who teach and mentor them.
YPI will introduce high school students to philanthropy, helping them understand its scope and the variety of career opportunities available through a degree in philanthropic leadership.
Through this initiative, high school students will gain opportunities to learn and grow as community leaders, while advisors and organizations will receive resources, research, and training to better support youth-led philanthropy in their regions. It will also highlight the variety of career paths that a degree in philanthropic leadership leads to.
“We want to give youth philanthropy leaders and advisors more information on how to better serve their organizations and participants, as well as resources and tools,” said Pamela Clark, Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management and Student Success. “We want to give students an understanding of the importance of giving back to their communities and advocating for causes they care about. I also want students to walk away knowing that philanthropy is a valid career option, and our school is the best in the world to do that.”
This initiative encompasses three core components: a conference, a course, and a student-led podcast. There is also a plan to highlight high school students having a positive impact in their communities through the school’s social media channels.
Biennial Youth Conference
The Change Makers Summit, the Youth Philanthropy Initiative’s national conference for high school students and their advisors, will be held every other year in the summer. “We decided we wanted to do a multi-day conference on campus that includes both high school students who are in youth philanthropy programs around the country as well as their leaders,” said Clark.
This conference, themed Putting the Fun in Fundraising, will provide a national convening space for youth philanthropy programs. Attendees will participate in skills-based workshops focused on the theme of making fundraising fun. The conference will provide an opportunity to plan and deliver a giving campaign for their own communities. It will also include keynotes, panels, and showcases that elevate youth voices.
The conference will have separate sessions for the students and the leaders.
Some of the highlights of the conference include student-led panels, youth philanthropy awards, TED-style talks led by current students at the school, and participation in The Amazing Race for Good, an interactive activity that teaches how philanthropy can be applied to careers.
In addition to the conference, there will be post conference interaction that includes webinars.
Change Makers Unplugged podcast
Beginning in February 2026, a monthly podcast, Change Makers Unplugged, will focus on youth philanthropy. The podcast, sponsored by IU Indianapolis Admissions, will be hosted by IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy students Rebekah Johnson and Ella Traina. The podcast will feature high school students making an impact in their communities, youth leaders, philanthropy leaders, current students, alumni, and more.
Academic Course on Youth Philanthropy
IU Indianapolis students will have the opportunity to take a course on youth philanthropy led by Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Associate Professor and the Melvin Simon Endowed Chair Patricia Snell Herzog, who is a leading voice in youth philanthropy, known for her work in examining how young people learn to engage in voluntary actions.
The course will build an academic foundation for understanding youth philanthropy, its history, practices, and potential impact. The course will examine how young people engage in charitable giving, volunteering, fundraising, grant making, and collaborative leadership to impact their local communities.