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. 

Philanthropy Timeline

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Philanthropy Timeline

This all-new History of U.S. Philanthropy Timeline features stories of the past with the goal to equip and empower youth to shape the story of philanthropy today and in the future. Youth are capable changemakers who can - and do - take action that matters. Together we explore the ways philanthropy has created lasting change and changed itself. Youth can see themselves in the stories and actions of regular people, and they recognize we all have something to give.

Currently Featured

  • Unit: 
    Grief "Kids Are Philanthropists Too!" Podcast
    Grades 
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    In this episode of the Kids Are Philanthropists too! podcast, we explore how people move through grief and loss over time. Grief is one of the most pressing concerns amongst 3-5th grade participants in The Giving Square programs in 2023.

  • Unit: 
    Motivated to Give
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Youth identify motivations for giving and social action in the community. They compare research-based motivations of adults and youth. They write a persuasive call to action for an issue of their choice based on the motivations they learned. 

  • Unit: 
    Early American Influences
    Grades 
    3
    4
    5

    Introduce the philanthropic behavior of Native Americans through the speech attributed to Chief Seattle, using the book Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: The Words of Chief Seattle.

  • Unit: 
    Your Place in the Community
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Teens identify their roles and personal values, and analyze how their personal values and beliefs developed in connection to their community's values and beliefs. They discuss what decisions they can make through generosity and voice for the common good. 

  • Unit: 
    Grief "Kids Are Philanthropists Too!" Podcast
    Grades 
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    In this episode of the Kids Are Philanthropists too! podcast, we explore the ways children feel grief. Curious about what kids are deeply concerned about? Grief is one of the most pressing concerns amongst 3-5th grade participants in The Giving Square programs in 2023.

  • Unit: 
    Cultural Competence
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    In this lesson we learn the history of the Indigenous people who lived in our specific area. We learn that language matters, and there is a respectful way to talk about the heritage of a person who was first to live in an area. 

  • 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.

  • Unit: 
    Grow Involved 9-12
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Young people discuss the need for and examples of nonviolent conflict resolution. They promote the idea of taking action for change by organizing a rally for nonviolence. 

  • Unit: 
    Grow Involved 6-8
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    Young people will compare and contrast the philosophies and work of Dr. King and Gandhi. They will determine a service they can provide to promote peace and nonviolence.

  • Unit: 
    Character Education: Respect (Grade 7)
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    The learners investigate their perceptions about bullying and its relationship to respect. They brainstorm ways to promote respect of self and others as individuals and as a group.

  • Unit: 
    Taking a Stand for Good
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    Youth read about Rosa Parks and evaluate how her protest of an unjust situation was philanthropic in nature.

  • Unit: 
    Philanthropy and You
    Grades 
    3
    4
    5

    The purpose of this lesson is to examine the tradition of giving and sharing in Indigenous communities and to learn about philanthropy in other cultures.

  • Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    The participants investigate the roles of historical and contemporary Latino philanthropists. They will look at the work of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the farm labor movement within the historical context of Latino activism in the United States.

  • Unit: 
    Philanthropic Behavior
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    Young people demonstrate that gifts do not need to be purchased with money. The best gifts are things we do with our time and talent for someone else. They brainstorm "kindness" types of gifts, such as a service or a homemade creation.

  • Unit: 
    Cultural Competence
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    We define culture and explore the cultural traits of individuals and the group collectively.

  • Unit: 
    Philanthropic Behavior
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5

    Young people demonstrate that differences can be discussed and worked through kindly and playfully. When we disagree, curiosity and creativity can help us talk openly. Conflict isn't comfortable, but we have the curiosity and skills to get through. 

  • Unit: 
    Character Education: Fairness (Grade 8)
    Grades 
    6
    7
    8

    Learners compare the meaning of justice with fairness and distinguish the meanings of fair, just, equal, and equitable. They write a definition for each term and display it on the wall for the duration of the unit.

  • Unit: 
    My Country, My Community
    Grades 
    9
    10
    11
    12

    In a persuasive essay, learners describe the responsibilities of American citizenship and the cost of freedom. They connect how philanthropic action is a part of those costs. “Freedom isn’t free. It passes on an enormous debt to the recipient.”

  • 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. 

  • 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. 

  • Unit: 
    Cultural Competence
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    One of the ways we identify ourselves is through the culture of our gender identity. This may include our gender and how we express ourselves through our clothing, hair, and what we like to do and who we like to spend time with.

  • Unit: 
    Let's Make Lemonade
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2

    As a group, the young people and their families make all the preparations for the lemonade sale, including making posters and advertising in creative ways. The posters communicate about the purpose for the sale and the impact they hope to make.

  • Unit: 
    Let's Make Lemonade
    Grades 
    K
    1
    2

    The group discusses and agrees on a need to address through donating money. They watch a film about a boy who sets up a lemonade stand and read a book about a national Lemonade Stand effort. Then they identify a need, learn more, and communicate the need to others.

EVERYONE has something to give!

EVERYONE has something to give!
guide youth philanthropy
empower civic engagement
nurture trust and belonging