United Way Suncoast hosts first Youth Philanthropy Summit

United Way Suncoast is expanding its efforts to shape the next generation of community-minded citizens with the launch of its first Youth Philanthropy Week. 

The event kicked off at Junior Achievement’s Finance Park in Tampa Feb. 26 and continued Thursday at the Enterprise Village and Finance Park at the Stavros Institute in Largo as dozens of 7th and 8th-grade students from Osceola Middle School explored the intersection of financial literacy and charitable giving.

United Way Suncoast’s inaugural Youth Philanthropy Week was held in conjunction with Pinellas County Schools’ Enterprise Village at the Stavros Institute in Largo.

Ernest Hooper, Chief Communications Officer for United Way Suncoast, said he goal is to introduce students to the nonprofit sector while teaching fundamental money management skills. Through hands-on exercises and discussions, students learn how their financial choices, even at a young age, can contribute to collective impact.

“We want them to start thinking about being part of something bigger than themselves and giving back to the community,” Hooper said. “For more than 100 years, that’s been our message at United Way Suncoast – everyone giving a little to make a big difference.”

Students gain direct experience in philanthropy through an interactive giving exercise. Each participant receives a wooden coin symbolizing a charitable donation. They then choose to allocate their contribution to one of three nonprofit partners: The Pinellas Education Foundation, Pinellas Community Foundation or United Way Suncoast.

“We’ve had terrific feedback from students. A lot of the students have a giving heart; the challenge is in the budgeting process,” Hooper said. “When they go through the budget exercise, not all of them had a huge amount of money left over to donate. That’s why we talk about collective impact and say, ‘Hey, it’s OK. We’re not asking for 10% of your budget. If each of you can just give a little, we have the expertise to take those small amounts, put them together and create a huge impact.’”

Data shows nonprofits play a significant role in society, employing over 12 million people across various sectors like healthcare and education, contributing significantly to the economy and providing essential services that might otherwise fall to the government or simply leave needs unmet. The United Way Suncoast created Youth Philanthropy Week to teach young people about the nonprofit sector’s substantial social impact and how they can play a part in supporting it.

Parker Rogers (left) and Ian Diaz, both 7th-grade students at Osceola Middle School, learned about personal finance, budgeting and philanthropy during Thursday’s event.

“There’s a point in time where people have enough to spare to people who don’t have at all,” said Rayne Torres, a 7th grader at Osceola Middle School. “I feel like it’s easier for everyone to succeed if people that have a lot can give to people who are struggling.”

“It feels good to help others that are in need,” added Madison Makatura, an 8th grade student at Osceola Middle.

The Youth Philanthropy Week initiative also addresses a broader concern within the nonprofit sector: Engaging younger generations in charitable giving and volunteerism.

“A lot of these teenagers are required to get service hours for Bright Futures, but we want to take it from a requirement to a desire,” Hooper said. “We’re talking constantly about how to inspire the next generation because we’re going to need them to step up in the years to come.”

Beyond Youth Philanthropy Week, United Way Suncoast offers volunteer opportunities for teenagers, including assembling literacy kits and care packages for nonprofit partners. The organization also hosts an annual Week of Caring in April, mobilizing community volunteers for large-scale service projects.

Hooper emphasized that fostering philanthropic values early can create a pipeline of future supporters and community leaders. Ian Diaz, a 7th grade student at Osceola Middle, received the message loud and clear: “I could see myself volunteering here in the future.”

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