Inspired by their own nonprofit leadership over the years, three young local adults have launched an initiative to motivate, empower, and prepare Wakatipu High School students to create the next generation of community and nonprofit leaders.

Hugh Taylor, Beatrice Onions, and Chris Belmont, former WHS students, have banded together to create Youth Philanthropy New Zealand and in partnership with the Wakatipu Community Foundation, have developed the Generation Give youth philanthropy programme. Generation Give is based upon highly successful youth philanthropy programmes throughout the US where students learn nonprofit governance and grant making skills to make funding decisions. Because of the skills the students will learn and the grant dollars awarded, this programme will have a significant impact on real issues facing the Wakatipu.

With generous donations to Wakatipu Community Foundation from local residents, Dick and Diana Hubbard, local corporate sponsors Roost Mortgage Brokers and Craigs Investment Partners, as well as support from a national foundation, the students will have $10k to grant to local successful applicant charities at the end of the course. Twenty students from Wakatipu High School will be selected for the seven month high engagement programme through an application process beginning in February. YPNZ will have applications available at the school the week of 11th of February with submissions due by 27 February. The curriculum involves weekly sessions in which students will identify community needs, solicit, analyse, and debate and ultimately decide upon the various grant proposals. These weekly sessions will be facilitated by experts in the field, with several prominent philanthropists already signed up to talk with the students, including, Sir Eion and Lady Jan Edgar, Mayor Jim Boult, as well as programme contributors, Dick and Diana Hubbard. In short the students will be forming, leading, and governing their own mini foundation within Wakatipu High School, all led and directed by youths.

The students' efforts will culminate in a celebration of the programme and the awarding of grants at the WCF inaugural gala 14 September. Additionally, programme graduates may apply to serve on an alumni WCF Youth Board to help facilitate youth causes throughout the Wakatipu.

Wakatipu Community Foundation chair, Raymond Key adds, “the Wakatipu Community Foundation’s two goals are to promote philanthropy and help build a stronger community. The opportunity to help our youth of today and our leaders of tomorrow on their journey towards these goals is very exciting.”

Youth Philanthropy New Zealand will pilot its Generation Give programme here in the Wakatipu for 2019 and has received enthusiastic interest from prominent national sponsors to take it to other communities throughout New Zealand in 2020.

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