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Youth Make a Difference!

Youth Make a Difference!

Learning to Give equips young people of all ages with philanthropy tools and knowledge as they discover what they care about and take action with their time, talent, and treasure. 

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What Will You Be?

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What Will You Be?

When adults ask children what they want to be when they grow up, children often don't know a career direction yet. They may name careers or aspirations based on the role models they see. This book explores the question "What Will You Be?" with generous, curious, and loving role models rather than those who hold specific jobs. The book and discussion help readers follow their inner voice and envision a bountiful and beautiful world.

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Currently Featured

  • Being in Touch with Your Feelings

    Unit: 
    Teamwork: Unit One of Establishing a Student-Run Foundation
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    This lesson helps students become more aware of their own values and sense of self by describing themselves and their choices. 

  • Getting to Give Activity

    Unit: 
    Roots of Philanthropy (Teen)
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Youth Activity: Students brainstorm time, talent, and treasure examples that they have to offer/give. The activity will ask each person to think of some ways he/she can generate money. 

  • Limits of Power

    Unit: 
    Advise and Consent
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    Even the person viewed as the most powerful person in the world does not have unlimited power. Constitutionally, the president of the United States is limited by the "advise and consent" rule (and other checks and balances).

  • Building Identity

    Unit: 
    Be the Change: Core Values
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Learners explore personal identity traits and discuss how a community is strengthened by similarities and differences among them. They each write a biographical poem using the provided template and their discussion notes. 

  • Understanding Advocacy

    Unit: 
    Advocacy-Getting the Job Done
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    In this lesson young people learn about the tools of advocacy for the common good. They investigate the characteristics of advocates and develop their own personal advocacy style.

  • Building Blocks of a Community

    Unit: 
    Building Blocks of a Community
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    Groups analyze and define the concept of community. They identify the benefits and sacrifices involved in actions for the common good in their role as citizens.

  • Black History IS American History

    Unit: 
    Black History IS American History
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    We are made by history. In this activity, youth read the stories of philanthropic African Americans and influential related events that made America what it is today. Then they create a virtual Pop-Up Museum as an advocacy service project in which they tell stories of Black history and philanthropy.

  • Power in Numbers

    Unit: 
    Challenging Social Boundaries
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    From history we know that working in community (not on our own) is the best way to make change. Young people explore the work of nonprofits related to equity and social justice. 

  • Goodness in Everyday Acts

    Unit: 
    Roots of Philanthropy (Teen)
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Youth Activity: Participants will gain a greater understanding of the meaning of philanthropy, and identify at least one action that they can take to better their own community.

  • The Language of Human Rights

    Unit: 
    Forced to Flee and Find a New Home
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    This lesson focuses on the language of human rights. Learners examine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and analyze the rights from a personal perspective. They discuss how well they perceive that the rights are enforced.

  • Powerful Words Unite Us in Service

    Grade Levels: 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    These lessons were designed by a high school classroom that was motivated by a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They tried to envision a project centered on driving out hate in their community by showing love. 

  • Stand and Deliver for Justice and Diversity

    Unit: 
    Stand and Deliver for Justice and Diversity
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12
    Learners explore and share their attitudes about diversity and issues of justice and kindness. The learners brainstorm ways that they can promote the common good by working to eliminate stereotyping, intolerance, discrimination, and prejudice.

  • Deliver Gratitude Day

    Unit: 
    Deliver Gratitude Day
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    This lesson focuses on the meaning and benefits of gratitude. Participants give examples of what people give up (opportunity cost) when they give philanthropically.

  • Doodle Stones

    Unit: 
    Doodle Stones
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Learners use words to communicate positively and build community. A service project involves writing positive messages on stones and placing them strategically to uplift and beautify.

  • The Gifts of Nature

    Unit: 
    Humans and Nature Flourishing Together
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Through analyzing a Ted Talk by Robin Wall Kimmerer, participants develop their understanding of what it means to respond with gratitude to the gifts from the Earth. Participants expand their awareness of the interdependent relationship between humans and nature.

  • My Civic Timeline

    Unit: 
    Community Philanthropy
    Grades 
    3
    4
    5

    Create a past, present, and future timeline of personal philanthropy. 

EVERYONE has something to give to make a better world!

EVERYONE has something to give to make a better world!
Create an Account
guide youth philanthropy
empower civic engagement
nurture trust and belonging
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Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

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The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.
Michelle Obama