In a world that demands everything from us, we need to build more space

In 2024, I entered the post-student world and joined the Belgian Federation of Philanthropic Foundations which connects a network of more than 135 philanthropic foundations across the Belgian language divides. It has been a rocky but rewarding road, and an incredible space for an unseasoned 25-year-old to learn, take initiative, experiment and shape her voice within the sector. Working for a network organisation gave me a front-row seat to the multiplicity of ways philanthropic action can be organised, governed and justified. So, allow me, after a little more than one year of diving headfirst into the Belgian philanthropic landscape, to share a small piece of my slightly more seasoned voice.

I want to talk to young people, and to foundations: we need to build more bridges between young people and philanthropy especially withing philanthropic governance and strategic structures. Because in a world that demands, and will demand, everything from us, we need more space to act with hope and agency – and one of the most meaningful ways to do so is to trust in our initiatives, skills and abilities and welcome us where decisions are made.

To my young readers and GenZers

When I am asked about philanthropy, foundations, or my job by my fellow twenty-something peers, I notice it is either an uncharted territory, or one paved with outdated perceptions. From the latter follows my usual responses: “no, philanthropy is not only for the rich”, “yes, it is regulated”, “no, tax benefits are not given by default to any foundation”, “no, foundations are not only the territory of old rich families”, “yes, philanthropy is more than Bill Gates”.

So, to my young readers and GenZers, let me clarify. Put simply, philanthropy, to me, asks one fundamental question: what role can private resources play for the common good?

Governments manage public money for the public interest. Private organisations manage private resources for private interests. Philanthropic structures facilitate the use of private resources for the public interest. Structurally, the legally recognised construction of foundations is designed to hold and organise capital and resources destined for the benefit of society at large.

As such, foundations can be a powerful school for our generation, and it is imperative we learn the structures of giving with purpose to shape better societies. More concretely, foundations offer a diversity of learning opportunities: from impact investing to grantmaking; from building programmes to supporting movements and advocacy; from rigorous impact measurement to unrestricted, trust-based giving. They work on a variety of topics – some inspired by historical legacy and the tradition of their founder while others steer strategies around evolving societal needs. Philanthropy is not contained to what it used to be, there are possibilities beyond traditional and institutional pathways. In other words, there is something for every young person in philanthropy.

Additionally, philanthropy, in all its diversity, can be a space for agency and hope. In a world where institutions feel fragile, business moves too slowly and social organisations are stretched thin, foundations give young people a direct way to shape a fairer, more sustainable future. A future we, frankly, are having a hard time imagining today. We need hope and agency more than ever and this is why more of us need to enter philanthropic spaces.

To philanthropic foundations

So, let me now turn my voice towards foundations.

Where resources are collected, held and distributed, there is power. Especially when the designed distribution and programmes have the purpose to influence environments, people and policy. In Belgium, financial figures are available for only about 20% of public utility foundations; even so, their combined expenditure is estimated at €1.52 billion – and this still excludes spending by private foundations with philanthropic aims. This power and influence have yet to be shared with those who will become adults in the societies they shape.

The DNA of foundations allows an independence in their actions over time that governments limited by election cycles, non-profits restrained by means and companies accountable to shareholders can only dream of. Thanks to this autonomy foundations can act in areas and experiment with programmes to solve societal issues like few other types of organisations can. This makes them an incredibly fertile structure for innovation. So, if foundations are equipped to innovate in their external action, why can this not also be true for their internal decision-making?

Philanthropy needs the next generation now. When I listen to our network I am always struck by the opportunity of intergenerational dialogue. The sector itself identifies risks like conservative boards, slow adaptation and perceptions of elitism yet young people still lack space beyond picket lines, internship contracts, junior operational roles or as grants recipients. The sector needs philanthropic leaders that can bring different perspectives, uncontained ideas, difficult questions and most importantly new energy. From research, to defining issues, priorities and designing strategies, programs and tools, or as members of boards and advisory committees, space can be made for young people at every stage of foundation decision-making.

As Christina Sass, CEO, of the International Youth Foundation puts it: “by sidelining young people, we ignore one of the most educated, connected, and civically engaged generations in history.” Grants alone will not build the leaders of tomorrow: we need to be given space to professionalise at the decision-making level. Teach us governance and leadership. Give us responsibilities and trust us with them.

Where I want to take this next

This is not a new idea, and it’s time to build it in Belgium. In my work at the Federation, the goal is to build an enabling environment for foundations to integrate more young people in their operations and decision-making. This means

1. Making philanthropy more visible and tangible to the younger generation
2. Listening to our network in the Belgian context
3. Identifying where and how to build space for the younger generation

This will be very much inspired by our Italian peers’ wonderful work at Assifero and by Belgian civil society organisations that already have taken steps towards integrating young people in their governance. Because in a world that demands everything from us, we need to enable more spaces for young.