Like the birds and the bees and the 123s, philanthropy should be taught early and often.

By Katherine Falk , Janet R. Wakefield and Nancy Swanson

But YIP is not just about the future. The fundraising prowess of our nation’s youth is inspiring more nonprofits to cultivate young volunteers. Universities and schools, among other institutions, raise

millions of dollars each year through the work of young people.

According to “Making Change for the Better: The Importance of Youth Giving,” a publication of the Center for Youth as Resources and the National Endowment for Financial Education, an estimated 13.3 million teens volunteer an average of three hours a week, which adds up to 2.4 billion hours annually.