Studies Show Powerful Benefits Of Giving And Service-Learning For Youth
January 25, 2022 | Written by Rachel Plum
Updated January 27, 2023, by Branden Waggoner
At Magnified Giving, we engage middle school and high school students in service-learning and provide opportunities for them to give of their time, talent, and treasure to benefit their communities. We believe that educating students in philanthropy will encourage them to continue habits of service, leadership, and volunteerism throughout their lives, and inspire the next generation to do the same. Studies have shown that a giving lifestyle not only benefits nonprofit organizations and the individuals and families they serve, but also has numerous positive impacts for the one engaging in service, including greater academic success, a better social and emotional wellbeing, and a lifelong passion for philanthropy.
Academic Benefits:
Students who participate in service-learning are proven to have higher standardized test scores, specifically in the subjects of language arts, social studies, and science. A 2003 study revealed that the Terra Nova standardized test scores of sixth graders with service-learning incorporated into their curriculum were significantly higher than those who did not (Billig, 2003). Graduation rates at the higher-education levels also produced impressive results. According to a study in 2020 at Northern Kentucky University, 58% of students who took a Mayerson service-learning class graduated in 4 years, compared to 24% overall. In addition, the rates of students withdrawing from college decreased from 10.3% to 6% for philanthropy course participants (Larson, Downing, Nolan, and Neikirk, 2020).
Student engagement in the classroom and motivation was also shown to be greatly improved through service-learning in post-secondary education, as well as secondary. Students at all grade levels who participate in service-learning are also more motivated in school and have a greater desire to further their education.
Social/Emotional Benefits:
Along with the multitude of academic advantages, service learning and philanthropy also provide a variety of benefits for individuals’ social and emotional wellbeing. One of those is the increased sense of self-efficacy that students experience through their service. Young people who are involved in giving have a stronger belief in themselves and their ability to make an impact on their community. Students believe that they have a voice, ideas, and a perspective that are valued and effective. They begin to realize that they can truly make a difference towards causes that they are passionate about.
Young people also grow in empathy and understanding through these experiences, which is a skill set that develops significantly throughout one’s childhood. Additionally, students are given opportunities to collaborate, not only with one another, but also with their teachers, other community members, and local organizations. They are able to practice communicating their ideas, working together in teams, and learning how to understand and respect each other. Overall, the psychological wellbeing of youth in service-learning programs is much healthier than that of students overall. Rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, loneliness, and stress were considerably lower. Mood and sense of purpose were higher. Studies show that people of all ages, including students, are happier and more satisfied with their lives overall when they are participating in philanthropy. Fidelity Charitable curated a study on this topic and found that people whose families participated in giving had a nearly 20% higher rate of considering themselves very happy than those who did not (“Family Giving Traditions”).
Future Benefits:
Another area of the benefits received from giving are those that will impact young people far beyond their years in school. A study performed by Independent Sector in 2002 displayed that 66% of adults who volunteer began doing so in their youth. Adults who started their service early are more likely to continue volunteering and giving to charities throughout their life. They are also more likely to serve on nonprofit boards in the future than those who did not participate in community service as a child. Individuals continue to participate in their communities and in society in various ways. They are more aware of social problems and their ability to be a part of making a difference in them. They continue to give of their time, talent, and treasure to positively impact their communities long after graduating high school.
Magnified Giving recognizes how impactful philanthropic experiences are for students and we want to support and encourage the next generation to be a part of creating a brighter future for themselves, their communities, and the world. Students who participate in giving are more engaged in the classroom, more confident in their abilities to make an impact, and more likely to continue giving and volunteering for decades to come.