The Philanthropy Lab – Shaping the Next Generation of Humanitarians
One of the many interesting programs of YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis is YEP STL! (Youth Engaged in Philanthropy). Sponsored by First Bank, this program gives high school students the opportunity to learn about philanthropy and the grant-making process, while benefitting local nonprofit organizations. Students involved consistently report eye-opening experiences and lessons learned that will affect them forever. Building on this local impact, YouthBridge was proud to support The Philanthropy Lab at Washington University in St. Louis as a 2025 sponsor. The Philanthropy Lab Foundation provides similar opportunities as YEP STL! but at the collegiate level.
Around 15 years ago, a family involved with the Once Upon a Time Foundation realized that there were thousands of courses teaching how to make money, but not as many teaching how to responsibly share it. Believing higher education should shape both knowledgeable and principled leaders, they launched the Philanthropy Lab (The Lab) in 2011. The Lab partners with colleges and universities nationwide, providing curriculum and training. Since inception, the Philanthropy Lab has partnered with 33 universities, engaged over 5,000 students, and awarded more than $15 million to nonprofits.
During the course, students receive a theoretical and practical understanding of philanthropy today, including its role in addressing social issues. Each class is given at least $50,000 to distribute. Students create imaginary foundations, write mission and vision statements, and then begin the evaluation process. This involves class discussions about shared goals between their “foundation” and the potential grantees, site visits, debate, and ultimately, agreement on the award recipients. In addition, students are encouraged to develop their own philanthropic goals.
The Philanthropy Lab has been taught five times at Washington University in St. Louis, and Barbara Levin, Adjunct Professor, has taught the course since 2023. Barbara has been aware of YouthBridge for some time; in fact, last year YouthBridge hosted a group of her Washington University students and spoke to them about YouthBridge’s grant-making process. The interaction and mission-alignment between the two organizations resulted in YouthBridge co-funding the grant awarded this spring by a team of students who selected Youth Voice as their grant-making focus area. Coincidentally, the team decided to award their $10,000 grant to Saint Louis Story Stitchers, a previous YouthBridge Think Big for Kids grantee!
According to Barbara Levin, “Recognition of the importance of philanthropic education is growing, but there is more work to be done.” The Lab’s goal is to remain active with a university for three to five years, after which the school’s philanthropy class becomes a locally supported self-sustaining course. This allows the Lab to expand to new universities. Partnerships with YouthBridge and local donors contribute to this objective. The Philanthropy Lab course at Washington University is also supported by the Gephardt Institute for Civic Engagement, Department of Sociology, and the Koch Center for Family Enterprise.
Barbara Levin explained that the Philanthropy Lab is in the process of surveying its alumni, and early results indicate that the class is impactful. She continued, “Students who elect the course are often those who have been encouraged to volunteer and have been supported throughout their lives, by words or actions, to give of themselves. Not only does the course reiterate that philosophy, it also teaches them how to evaluate nonprofit organizations and how to build relationships.” A key goal of the class is to inspire students to pass on philanthropic values to future generations and encourage others to do the same.
YouthBridge is in complete agreement with objectives of the Philanthropy Lab. The future of philanthropy depends on the youth of today. What they learn, as high school or as college students, will shape the next generation of humanitarians. Understanding mindful, impactful giving is vital to ensuring the continuance of effective benevolence, and both the Philanthropy Lab and YouthBridge are working toward this important goal.
YouthBridge connects donors with community needs. If you are interested in learning more about how we can make charitable giving easier for you, please contact us.