Learners will describe the significant impact that philanthropists have made in American civil and political life.

The learner will:

• define "philanthropy."
  
  
• give examples of philanthropy in America’s past and present.
  
  
• describe how philanthropic acts reinforce Core Democratic Values.

Anticipatory Set:

Write a list of varied and famous American historical figures/philanthropists on the board/overhead projector and ask learners “What do these people have in common?” Examples could include: Caesar Chavez, Andrew Carnegie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, Jane Addams, Squanto,  W. E. B. Dubois, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Dorothea Dix, W.K.Kellogg, Eli Lilly, John Mott, Harriet Tubman, Madam C.J. Walker, Booker T. Washington,  Rachel Carson, George Washington Carver.  Discuss the commonality that all persons written on the board share. (all were/are  philanthropists)

• Define "philanthropy" " as "the giving of one’s time, talent or treasure for the sake of another, or for the common good; voluntary action for the public good; or voluntary giving or service, primarily for the benefit of others." 
• Explain that philanthropy has been an integral part of the American experience since colonial days. Give the learners examples of philanthropy in history by referring to the "Learning to Give" Web site at <www.learningtogive.org>. From the home page, select "Resource Room," then click on "Time-lines" and select "American Time line." Peruse the dates for examples.
• To give the learners a broader idea of philanthropists in American life, use the "Learning to Give" Web site again to allow them to become familiar with many "givers." Click on "Resource Room," then "Briefing Papers." Select "People" category and have the learners each select a philanthropist to read about from the variety of persons listed. 
• Have each learner summarize the information on the philanthropist selected and orally report to the class in a one or two minute review of the information. Each summary should conclude by naming the "Core Democratic Value" exhibited by each philanthropist. Core Democratic Values include: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, common good, justice, equality, diversity, truth, popular sovereignty, patriotism, rule of law, separation of powers, representative government, checks and balances, individual rights, freedom of religion, federalism and civilian control of the military. (To streamline the sharing process, each student’s basic findings can be posted on a large sheet of paper around the classroom and the students could do a class "walk about" to read about each philanthropist. A class discussion can follow, highlighting points of comparison.) 
• Give an overview of the Unit including the expected outcomes. (See the Unit Overview, Philanthropists in Our Midst).

Learners will get parent/guardian involvement by discussing their views on philanthropy in the community and asking for an example of a philanthropist.