30 for 30: Young people take the grantmaking reins

Young people are—rightly—asking for more ownership in responding to the issues that are affecting them today and will affect them decades into the future.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s (SNF) 30 for 30: Next-Gen Grants initiative was designed to empower young people—specifically the SNF Nostos Youth Advisory Committee, composed of 17 people under the age of 25 from 4 continents—to take an active role in shaping the direction of SNF’s grantmaking. Following research into the issues they care about and with guidance from the SNF team drawn from 30 years of grantmaking experience, the Youth Advisory Committee nominated nonprofit organizations to apply, then stepped into the role of Program Officers for the duration of the assessment process, evaluating the applications received and selecting 30 of the nominees to receive grants of $30,000 apiece.

Along the way, they learned more about both the opportunity and accountability that come with the privilege of awarding grants, and the Foundation benefited from their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh point of view.

In addition to providing support for nonprofits doing excellent work around the world, the 30 for 30 initiative honors the crucial role the SNF Youth Advisory Committee played in developing SNF Nostos 2026 while helping contribute to opening new doors to the next 30 years.

Join the next generation in celebrating the 30 nonprofits selected as results are announced live. Hear what insights the young grantmakers gained from the experience and how they want to help shape where philanthropy heads in the years to come.