Some members of Ivendah Kanuli Founder of Edge of Change Organisation (in white) with other member of the Organization bonding with kids./PHOTO; Edge of Change
For decades, philanthropy has been shaped by institutions, wealthy donors, and long-established charities.
Their contributions have driven social programs across the globe, but the landscape of giving is evolving.
Today, youth-led philanthropy demonstrates that generosity can be participatory, immediate, and rooted in connection rather than wealth.
Understanding this shift is crucial for traditional nonprofits: by learning how young people give through time, small donations, social engagement, and digital mobilization, organizations can adapt their strategies to inspire the next generation of donors and sustain meaningful impact.
The rise of youth-led giving demonstrates that philanthropy is evolving beyond legacy and wealth, moving toward immediacy, participation, and shared impact.
Across digital spaces, community drives, climate campaigns, social media, and local mutual-aid networks, youth-led giving has redefined what it means to contribute.
Its scope is broader, faster, and deeply participatory. It is not attached to wealth or legacy; it is rooted in willingness, immediacy, and a shared desire for impact.
This evolution raises a critical question: what can traditional non-profits learn from this new rhythm of giving, and are they prepared to adapt?
A New Definition of Giving
Recent findings from The Next Generation of Philanthropy study (2025) by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy reveal that Generation Z and Millennial donors are reshaping giving into something faster, more participatory, and more experience-driven.
Unlike previous generations, they prioritize causes over organizations, evaluate impact online, and leverage social media to mobilize peers.
This shift is evident in the work of youth-led groups like Edge of Change Organisation.
Here, giving is measured not merely in monetary terms but through presence, passion, and active involvement.
The organization mobilizes young people to participate in clean-ups, meal drives, neighborhood initiatives, and small digital fundraisers, everyday acts of generosity that the Lilly report notes are increasingly central to modern philanthropy.
The founder, 24-year-old Ivendah Kanuli, observes this transformation first-hand:
“Most of these youths have ideas, and desire the same thing I had to see things change for the better. And giving is not just about money. And they give in different ways. Some give time, some do something out of their passion, and others give their voice. Personally, I’m doing it out of passion because it’s in my blood. That passion, that time, that voice, that’s what giving is about.”
The shift toward participation-driven giving naturally leads to a deeper look at how young people define impact in their communities.
Impact Measured in Connection
While traditional giving often focuses on large donations and formal contributions, youth-led giving measures success differently: through connection, presence, and the tangible difference made in someone’s life.
Ivendah illustrates this approach with a simple philosophy:
“For youths, what drives us to give is the difference, however small we make. This may be in just seeing a child smile because of that simple meal, or a street person’s life made a bit easier from our donations. We feel contented. Giving for us isn’t just charity; it’s a way of building the world we want to live in. If you want to live well, work on it. And that’s how we translate charity work.”
This relational approach to impact is mirrored in a recent incident where a Kenyan content creator, known as Kaluma Boy, shared the challenges of caring for his ailing father online.
Young people mobilized across social media, contributing spontaneously.
The generosity was driven not by a formal charity appeal but by empathy, connection, and urgency a clear model for traditional organizations to study.
As these examples show, youth giving thrives on proximity and resonance. This makes the next dimension of micro-philanthropy a natural progression.
The Power of Many Little Things
Micro-philanthropy is central to youth-led giving. Where traditional charity emphasizes large contributions, these movements rely on small, consistent donations that collectively produce a significant impact.
Ivendah explains:
“Youth are more likely to give where their contribution is appreciated, however small. At Edge of Change, the small, consistent contribution from our members is what has taken us far. Even 20 or 50 shillings contributed to our fundraising can create tangible outcomes when multiplied across a committed group. The power of many little things is what builds impact.”
This approach democratizes giving, strengthens community ownership, and removes the pressure of comparison. Every participant contributes what they can, knowing it matters as part of a collective effort.
It also encourages repeated participation, creating a sustainable model of engagement rather than one-off contributions.
Micro-philanthropy thrives because technology has become an equalizer, laying the groundwork for where youth-led initiatives operate daily.
Digital Platforms as Equalizers
Technology is both the playground and infrastructure of youth-led philanthropy. Edge of Change employs WhatsApp and social media as central organizing tools.
Weekly WhatsApp challenges revolve around transparent budgets and itemized needs.
Members select items to fundraise for and serve as “guest leaders” on assigned weekends, contributing first and then mobilizing their networks to meet targets.
Ivendah reflects on the power of visibility:
“Social media has been our greatest driver. We post everything, pictures, videos, and edit well. People see what we’re doing, and they support. Edge of Change grew through social media. That’s how people text and say, ‘Can I join you? What can I contribute?’
For traditional NGOs, this illustrates a critical point: visibility is not self-promotion; it is community-building. Youth donors give to causes they can see, understand, and feel connected to.
The Lilly report also affirms this, stating that younger donors are significantly more likely to engage with organizations online, participate in crowdfunding, and use social media to evaluate the impact of their donations, making digital presence a non-negotiable part of modern philanthropy.
Technology’s role is closely tied to a core value for young donors: transparency.
Transparency as a Currency of Trust
Accountability is another defining feature of youth-led initiatives. Edge of Change operates with a treasurer, progress reports, and detailed financial documentation.
Every coin is tracked, and all activity is shared with members.
Ivendah emphasizes: “If you are accountable and transparent, you will be trusted. Transparency builds trust. Without it, everything falls apart.”
This demonstrates that openness is not a bureaucratic requirement but a social currency among next-gen philanthropists.
Transparency strengthens participation, builds credibility, and ensures that youth-led efforts remain community-driven rather than personality-driven.
And at the center of youth-led structures lies a distinct leadership style.
Leadership Rooted in Community
Leadership in youth-led groups emphasizes care, purpose, and belonging over hierarchy. Ivendah describes:
“Leadership is a service. It’s not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those you’re responsible for. You cannot lead people you don’t know. For us to trust each other, we have to create a family.”
Edge of Change deliberately cultivates social bonds through shared meals, games, and informal gatherings.
These bonds enhance trust, collaboration, and motivation.
Ivendah advises: “Lead with a why, not a what. Remind them why it matters. Connect every task to the mission.
The job is not to help, it’s to support ideas and give them a platform. When purpose is clear, motivation becomes self-sustaining.”
These lessons form a strong mirror for traditional NGOs, prompting a clear opportunity for adaptation.
Lessons for Traditional Nonprofits
Youth-led giving offers actionable insights for established organizations:
- Participation outweighs prestige; collective effort drives impact.
- Transparency builds communities; accessible records foster trust.
- Digital platforms are essential for visibility, speed, and peer mobilization.
- Leadership must be human-centered, emphasizing purpose and connection.
- Small contributions collectively create large, sustainable change.
The Lilly report underscores the shift: Generation Z and Millennials are reshaping philanthropy by prioritizing causes over organizations, relying on digital tools, and giving in ways that traditional metrics often fail to capture.
This generation is also positioned for future influence: an estimated $18 trillion is projected to move into charitable channels by 2048, allowing young donors to reshape philanthropy on a global scale.
These trends point toward a future where giving is not only transactional but deeply cultural.
Toward a New Era of Collective Generosity
Youth-led giving is not just a trend; it is a blueprint for a new approach to philanthropy.
Traditional nonprofits can learn from this model by embracing participation, leveraging digital tools, fostering transparency, and cultivating relational leadership.
By understanding how young people define giving through presence, empathy, and collective action, organizations can engage a generation whose generosity is driven by immediacy, social connection, and shared purpose.
The future of philanthropy will belong to those who recognize that giving is not only a financial transaction but a participatory, community-centered practice that invites everyone to contribute.
By blending technology, empathy, and community, the next generation of donors is creating a more dynamic and equitable landscape for giving, one rooted in shared responsibility rather than wealth alone.
