Defining Philanthropy
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Audio Duration: 0:46 "The question is…What Is Philanthropy and how does it work? Who knows? Take a guess." (Adult Voice) "Philanthropy is the study of different kinds of pantomimes. I know what it is..the study of monkeys." (Young people's voices) "Anyone else have a guess?" (Adult Voice) "A disease?" (Young people's voices) "Philanthropy. Philanthropy. Philanthropy. Philanthropy…I can't say the word. What is Philanthropy? Beats me. Do you have a dictionary with you? What is what?" (Different Adult voices) Philanthropy (child's voice) |
Learning to Give Definitions
Philanthropy is:
"Giving, serving and private, citizen action intended for the common good."
 Kathy Agard, founder and former executive director of the Learning to Give program, expands on and explains this definition.
Audio Duration: 1:13 Hello, My name is Kathy Agard, Executive Director of the Learning to Give program. I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to Learning to Give’s definition of Philanthropy as used with Middle- and High-School-aged students. We use the definition of philanthropy developed “Giving, serving and private citizen action for the common good…. This definition was selected because it includes three important elements: GIVING: This includes the giving of time as well as money and the idea that philanthropy is a voluntary act; SERVING: Provides the understanding of giving time in service to the needs of others; PRIVATE CITIZEN ACTION: defines the civil society sector where philanthropy occurs and the fact that it is in the independent sector where many new ideas emerge, keeping our democracy healthy, and, INTENDED FOR THE COMMON GOOD: describes the fact that philanthropic acts always are meant to enhance the “good” for individuals and communities. |
Philanthropy Definition for Children
The Three "T's"
"Giving time, talent and treasure, and taking action for the common good."
"Learning to Give is the civic face of Character Education."
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Audio Duration: 0:15 (Student Voice #1): "Hello, we are second graders from Maplewood School in Holland. We have been learning about philanthropy." (Student Voice #2): "Philanthropy means sharing your time, talents and treasures for the common good." |
From the Students (Grades 4 & 5)
What is Philanthropy?
"Philanthropy is a very kind thing to do. What kind of philanthropy have you done? If you haven't done any...YOU SHOULD!"
"Philanthropy is something you do for free without paying because that means you have a heart."
"I helped someone by shoveling their driveway so they wouldn't have to come out in the freezing cold. See, philanthropy makes you and the other person very happy."
4th & 5th Grade Students
Ferry Elementary Grand Haven Public Schools
