“NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS EFFICACY OF THREE PILLARS PROGRAM DESIGN”
Report from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University found the Three Pillars Program design achieves “remarkably higher rates of philanthropic action”
Oak Park, Ill. – Teen participants of an innovative community program achieved remarkably higher rates of philanthropic action compared to national data—100% higher on some indicators, according to a report released today by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Youth Philanthropy: Studying Outcomes of Community Engagement, authored by Dr. Patricia Snell Herzog, was based on five years of research (2019-2023) conducted in partnership with Three Pillars Initiative (TPI), a national program that teaches the art, science and business of philanthropy to the next generation through hands-on civic engagement. TPI’s “Three Pillars Philanthropy” program focuses on the educational components of fundraising, grantmaking and volunteering.
“One of my longest research interests is understanding the lived experiences of young people, especially as they transition from youth into emerging adults,” said Herzog, an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the school, “This youth philanthropy program is a perfect nexus of those interests.”
The study concludes that TPI graduates’ rates of charitable giving, fundraising, volunteering and community engagement are 39% to 73% higher than national rates. In addition, they have 41% to 100% more philanthropy knowledge and skills than national norms. Teens also leave the program with 93% to100% larger networks of engaged peers and supportive adults. The research demonstrates the strong link between teen participation in philanthropy earlier in their formative years and their engagement in civic leadership later in life…
