Centering youth. Shifting power. Funding bold futures.
The Next Wave is a youth-led giving circle powered by CoThinkk to amplify social change philanthropy across 12 counties in Western North Carolina.
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What is the Next Wave
Led by youth. Built for what’s next.
The Next Wave is a youth-led giving circle created by CoThinkk to support social change philanthropy across 12 counties in Western North Carolina. Designed in partnership with youth ages 14–18, this fund shifts power by centering their strategies, innovations, and leadership—while being supported by CoThinkk’s base-building team and adult co-conspirators.
With $42,500 committed to grantmaking and an additional $8,000 for planning and support, the Next Wave complements CoThinkk’s other strategic vehicles:
- The Traditional Video Fund
- The Triage Fund (climate/hurricane response)
- The Equity Fund (entrepreneurship + economic development)
The Next Wave is powered by Shift Labs—intentional spaces that deepen learning, support participatory design, and build the skills of young social change philanthropists. Together, we’re co-creating a participatory grantmaking process that supports youth to take their seat at the table, challenge traditional philanthropic models, and shape the future of giving in our region.
Highlights:
$42,500 fund + planning support + national partners
Across 12 counties in Western NC
Youth-designed, youth-decided, youth led
Why it Matters
Preparing the next generation of social change philanthropists
Next generation representation is a blind spot and concern for many giving circles—especially those that are aging but hold significant resources. CoThinkk recognized this gap two years ago and committed to creating space for youth to lead alongside experienced philanthropists.
The Next Wave is part of that commitment. It’s a response to a regional need for a strong pipeline of youth leadership in philanthropy—one that reflects the communities they serve and supports relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts across Western North Carolina.
By centering youth (ages 14–18) across 12 counties and supporting them with adult collaborators,
the Next Wave helps:
Equip young leaders with the tools and language of social change philanthropy
Co-design a participatory grantmaking model that shifts power, perspective, and systems
Grow the next generation of philanthropic leaders committed to long-term impact in the region
Powered by Shift Labs
Shifting Thinking. Shifting Power. Shifting Impact.
Shift Labs are dynamic, intentional gatherings where youth lead the design of the Next Wave fund—supported by adult allies acting as co-conspirators. These spaces introduce social change philanthropy, support bold strategic decisions, and spark the innovations that shape future grantmaking.
Each Shift Lab is designed to:
- Deepen shared learning about social change philanthropy and the giving circle movement
- Create space for participatory fund design and decision-making
- Support long-term leadership development, relationship building, and collective impact
Structured as events, pop-ups, and learning spaces in partnership with youth-led and youth-serving organizations, Shift Labs are creative, powerful, and fun—full of music, food, art, and radical ideas.
Why Join
Lead change. Fund futures. Start here.
Because we believe your ideas matter—and we can’t do this without you.
Because you’re already a leader—even if you don’t know it yet.
Because the future needs your voice at the table.
When you join the Next Wave, you’ll be part of a creative, powerful crew building something from the ground up
Help design and and lead an on-going grant fund with over $50,000 behind it
Share food, ideas, and energy with your community
Learn how to fund real projects that create change
Hang out with DJs, artists, and youth leaders
Pitch your own idea and support someone else’s
Celebrate youth power across our region
No experience needed—just your curiosity, creativity, and commitment to showing up.
Are You Ready to Join the Next Wave?
Lead change. Fund futures. Start here.
We’re looking for youth leaders (ages 14–18) from across 12 counties in Western North Carolina to help shape a new model for philanthropy. This is your opportunity to be a part of a bold movement that supports community change, shifts power, and funds what matters most.
You’ll co-design and lead a grantmaking process
You’ll build new skills and connections
You’ll help decide where real money goes in your community
