This is the third article in a series exploring best practices in youth philanthropy.

When we are young, we are more impressionable. Experiences carry a lot of weight. And as we touched on in the previous article in this series, our teenage years are when we typically begin to discover identity, form values, and explore career interests. What happens during these formative years can have a lasting effect on the perspectives we take and the passions we develop.

A guiding principle for organizations aiming to introduce youth to philanthropy is to create the conditions for authentic, transformative experiences. Providing a platform for youth to organically develop empathy for social issues and the people facing them is key in creating more compassionate communities. On the other hand, lacklustre experiences in voluntarism and philanthropy may seed cynicism and turn youth off the social sector for a long time.

One of the indicators of success we look for at the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is a change in youth perspectives after completing the program: attitudes about vulnerable people, the urgency of social issues, the work of charities, and their own role in bettering their communities.

Here’s what a high school student in Toronto told us after participating in YPI, during which she visited with a charity that addresses youth homelessness:

“Throughout the process of researching [youth homelessness] and actually visiting the charity itself, it really helped me realize how often many of us in the community seem to accept and conform to the stereotypes society sets.

For example, there has always been this misguided belief that … being young and homeless, these youth must be delinquent or bad people. But this is not the case. I learned that we should educate ourselves on these issues before believing in these stereotypes, and that we should learn to empathize, sympathize, and help others, instead of looking down at them. A little help, effort, and understanding can go a very long way.”

When youth share feedback about what led to their change in perceptions about social issues, the catalyst is almost always the experience of visiting charities and meeting the people who care about the world and dedicate themselves to making a difference. Forming these emotional connections is when YPI stops being a project for school, and becomes an important life experience.

Naturally, we love to highlight results like this, but the credit really belongs to the charitable organizations who open their doors to teach the next generation about their work, and the students who make the effort to learn and observe. When things click, young people’s perspective on social issues, stereotypes and stigma, and philanthropy can be completely transformed.

There are many other youth-focused non-profits that facilitate compassion and personal development. Ashoka, for one, has plenty of resources available through its Start Empathy initiative. This is a good place to check out models to draw inspiration from.

If future generations are going to take a long-term interest in philanthropy, they should have a chance to see the front lines of social issues, and to make real connections to the people involved in them. As a sector, we’re in the unique position to help make that happen. All we need to do is set the stage.

Dave Stuckey manages communications for the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, a multi award-winning secondary school program that strengthens the social sector by engaging youth in social issues, local charities, and grant-making. You can contact him at dave@goypi.org