Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
Duration:
Three Fifty-Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learners will:
- rank order issues of importance in the selection of an organization to study/investigate.
- investigate various non-profit organizations by comparing their purpose and mission statements with their objectives and accomplishments.
Materials:
- Categories and Subject Areas of Interest (Attachment One)
- A Guide for Deciding Your Area(s) of Interest (Attachment Two)
- Conducting Investigations (Attachment Three)
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
Ask students to mentally picture a famous person who has advertised a product on television or billboards. Have students share the name of their favorite "spokesperson" and explain why they like the ad.
- In a whole group session, let students analyze whether they believe this was an effective way to advertise the product. (Students may mention that the "famous spokesperson" got their attention, or is believable, or is a role model, etc.) Discuss whether or not it is wise to select a product based on whether its "spokesperson" is famous.
- Show the class three pictures that could be representative of possible causes in which young persons might show interest. Examples might include a picture of litter, animals that might be seen in a zoo or park, or a sparkling clear stream. Ask students if they should volunteer their energy, time or money for a worthwhile project based on pictures or a famous "spokesperson." Let students form small groups to make suggestions on how wise persons should decide how to volunteer. As groups report, put their recommendations on the board.
- To assist students in selecting specific areas of interest for future philanthropic activities, review Categories and Subject Areas of Interest (see Attachment One). Using the areas listed as idea starters, generate a list of areas of concern most mentioned by students, e.g., clean environment or natural disasters.
- Help students focus or narrow their interests by going over the questions in A Guide for Deciding Your Area(s) of Interest (see Attachment Two). Using the answers provided by reviewing Attachment Two, rank order the issues according to the way they meet students' criteria.
- Distribute Conducting Investigations (see Attachment Three). Using http://www.Guidestar.org as the source of information, have students begin a study of organizations in the area of interest they previously selected. To begin the search, enter the interest area (and any other parameters) in the boxes. An alternative technique is to name organizations already known, one by one, and pull up the necessary information. For each organization selected, record its purpose, mission statement, objectives and accomplishments. When completed, have students compare the charted information and form conclusions about the organization(s) that meet(s) their criteria for support. Again, rank order the organizations. (Note: GuideStar is a searchable database of more than 640,000 nonprofit organizations in the United States. Most of these organizations have a detailed GuideStar Report. Each page of the report looks at one aspect of the organization: mission and programs, goals and results, finances, and leadership. Its goal is to promote philanthropy by providing information that will help donors, institutional funders, and charities become more informed, effective, and efficient.)
Assessment:
Ask each student to compile a checklist of features about two of the organizations studied. Each checklist should include the name and address of the organization, its mission statement, purpose, objectives, accomplishments, and two other interesting features about the organization. Following the two checklists, the student should include a one or two paragraph statement explaining why one organization was more appealing for future acts of philanthropy.
Points Description 4 The completed paper includes all six required elements for both organizations and an explanation statement. 3 Some of the required elements are missing from the organizations' checklist. 2 A checklist is included for only one organization. 1 No checklist is included for the two organizations. Only a statement explaining the choice of organization is attempted. 0 No attempt was made to complete the task. Alternate Assessment: Students may design a poster, write a rap, or prepare a persuasive speech featuring the characteristics that make a particular nonprofit organization appealing.
Lesson Developed By:
Evelyn NashCurriculum Consultant
Learning to Give
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Categories and Subject Areas of Interest
Arts, Culture, and Humanities
Performing arts; cultural and ethnic awareness; folk art; traditional art; art education; media and communication; film and video; television; visual arts; photography; painting and drawing; museums; history; natural history; science and technology; sports and hobbies; performing arts; theater; music groups; circus; languages; religion; historic preservation; genealogy
Education and Research
Educational institutions; bilingual, vocational, gifted, or special education programs; professional organizations; libraries; drop-out prevention and remedial programs; parent teacher groups
Environment and Animals
Pollution; recycling; global warming; conservation; energy; forests and plants; environment; outdoor survival; animal protection and welfare; wildlife preservation; protection of endangered species; zoos; animal hospitals
Health and Human Services
Hospitals, clinics and medical care facilities; baby and infant centers; blood banks; organ banks; public health programs; health care programs; nursing and convalescent care; alcohol, drug and substance abuse; crisis hot lines; counseling and support groups; specific diseases; pediatrics; crime and delinquency prevention; dangerous weapons control; drunk driving; law enforcement; child and spousal abuse; employment programs; care of soil and water; farm preservation; food banks; Meals on Wheels; public housing; senior citizens; shelters; disaster relief; public safety; recreation and leisure groups; parks, playgrounds, sporting facilities and leagues; Special Olympics; youth centers and clubs; scouting; American Red Cross; YMCA; YWCA; Hospice.
International
Cultural exchange and understanding; exchange students; development and relief services; agricultural and economic development; peace and security; arms control; international organizations; foreign policy; trade; human rights; migration and refugee issues.
Public, Societal Benefit
Civil rights; equal opportunity; women's rights; voter education; freedom of speech, press, information, religion; due process; community improvement; block associations; community service clubs; community foundations; local charities; reform; citizen participation; political organizations; consumer protection; labor unions; fraternal organizations.
Religion
Religious organizations and issues.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
A Guide for Deciding Your Area(s) of Interest
Subject Area:
- What do you believe are the most important problems or issues that need your help?
Beneficiaries:
- What group of persons or what problem should receive your help?
Type of Work:
- What type of work should the charity/organization do?
Location:
- Are you interested in supporting a local, regional, state, national, or international organization?
Size:
- Are you interested in volunteering with a small organization or a large one?
Age:
- Do you want to support an organization that is just getting started or one that is already well established?
Few or Many:
- Do you want to give time, talent or money to one organization or several?
For additional information, see "Profiling Your Philanthropic Preferences" at: http://www.Guidestar.org
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Conducting Investigations
To investigate each non-profit organization, fill in its purpose, mission statement, objectives and accomplishments. Use http://www.Guidestar.org as your source of information.
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Optional Questions for Consideration:
- Do I believe in the organization's mission?
- Do I agree with the way it is trying to accomplish its mission, i.e., the programs and goals it has established?
- Is the charity serving the audience or group that I think it should be serving?
- Do I like the way it is run?
- Do I agree with the way it evaluates itself?
- Do I like how it reports its activities and accomplishments?
- Is it willing to share information with me?
- Is it healthy financially?
- Will it respect my rights as a donor?
- How does this charity compare to others of similar size, age, and mission?
Unit Contents:
Overview:Philanthropic Research Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- How Should I Begin?
- 2.
- Government Agencies and Philanthropic Organizations
- 3.
- Nonprofit Organizations in the Local Economy
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.
