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Our 2026 - 2027 Workstreams
2026 (and beyond)
2026 (and beyond)
We believe in an Aotearoa where communities hold power. Where philanthropy is shaped alongside the people it’s meant to serve. Where young people are part of the conversation and influencing decisions.
Youth in Philanthropy exists to support young people across the philanthropic sector to thrive, to connect, and to challenge the status quo.
Our long-term vision is a funding ecosystem that actively shifts wealth and decision-making power back to communities - and does so in ways that are values-led, relational, and responsive.
We’ve been working towards this since 2016. We’re proud of how far we’ve come as we push for a system that’s better, fairer, and more responsive to the communities we serve. But we're not done - in fact, we're more ambitious than ever about what comes next. This is how we plan to get that done.
Our workstreams
Our workstreams
Our mahi is spread across five focus areas. These have been gradually shaped through ongoing kōrero and engagement with our community. They reflect where we have the greatest ability to create meaningful impact, and where our community has told us support is most needed.
WORKSTREAM ONE
Connections
Connections
Bringing people together regionally, nationally, and digitally.
Many young people in philanthropy are isolated, work in silos, or without natural opportunities to connect, share, and grow alongside others doing similar mahi. By creating opportunities for connection, we support a growing network that learns from one another, collaborates, and feels empowered to take collective action.
This may look like:
This may look like:
Connection Calls
Online events for our community to gather and connect.
Regional Hangs
In-person gatherings to share kai and kōrero about the sector and our role within it.
Annual Retreat
A 3-day residential retreat with personal and professional development, participatory sessions, and plenty of opportunities for rest and recovery.
KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORKSTREAM?
You'll love this if you’re passionate about / skilled in: event coordination, community organising, or relationship-building.
WORKSTREAM TWO
Collective Development
Collective Development
Growing the skills, confidence, and leadership of our community
By creating spaces where young people can ask questions, challenge assumptions, and contribute to projects, we support the development of confident, capable leaders within our sector.
This may look like:
This may look like:
Onboarding resources
Supporting those who are new to the sector.
Calendar of opportunities and events
Mapping out opportunities across the sector.
Tuakana-teina mentorship
Creating and connecting pairs for mentorship.
KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORKSTREAM?
You'll love this if you’re passionate about / skilled in: designing learning experiences, mentoring peers, or finding ways to make professional development more accessible and relevant to young people.
WORKSTREAM THREE
Views and Voice
Views and Voice
Amplifying our perspectives through communications and advocacy.
Young people have been underrepresented in decision-making spaces for too long, with limited opportunities to influence the conversations and systems that impact them. We aim to challenge these traditions, ensuring that young people are actively shaping decisions across the sector, and beyond.
This may look like:
This may look like:
Quarterly newsletters
Regular updates for our community with celebrations and opportunities.
Webinars
Online events with a guest speaker.
The Price of Purpose
Season 3 of our podcast exploring the past, present, and future of philanthropy.
Case studies and impact stories
Understanding and documenting what young people are working on across the sector, and the role YIP is playing in their journey.
KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORKSTREAM?
You'll love this if you’re passionate about / skilled in: storytelling, writing, social media, podcasting, or advocacy work.
WORKSTREAM FOUR
Intentional Partnerships
Intentional Partnerships
Forming strategic and values-aligned relationships.
Meaningful change rarely happens in isolation. Strong, intentional partnerships allow us to extend our reach, deepen our impact, and work more effectively alongside others who share our values. Through these relationships, we work to influence systems, champion youth-led approaches, and ensure rangatahi perspectives are embedded within philanthropic practice.
This may look like:
This may look like:
Youth in Philanthropy's own funders
Connecting with the organisations who empower our mahi.
Project partnerships
Identifying and connecting with values-aligned organisations for potential collaborations and skill-sharing.
KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORKSTREAM?
You'll love this if you’re passionate about / skilled in: relationship management, understanding the philanthropic or nonprofit landscape, or identifying where values and interests align across organisations.
WORKSTREAM FIVE
Our Own Giving
Our Own Giving
Pooling resources to distribute funding in innovative ways.
This workstream puts our values into action. We aim to explore new and collaborative ways of distributing funding, led by youth and informed by community needs. This is one way to shift traditional funding models, support grassroots initiatives, and ensure funding reaches where it can have the greatest impact.
This may look like:
This may look like:
Youth in Philanthropy giving circle
Developing our new idea for pooling resources and consultancy to support the sector.
KEEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS WORKSTREAM?
You'll love this if you’re passionate about / skilled in: participatory grantmaking, redistributive economics, or philanthropic innovation.
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