Step 1: What is Philanthropy?

Overview: The purpose of this initial program overview is to prepare Youth for the rest of the project. This is the opportunity for Youth to learn the word philanthropy and service-learning and gain a strong base of the true meaning of the words.

Grade: 6-12

Phases Leader Guide Youth Guide
Objectives Provide a definition of the words: Philanthropy and Service-Learning.

Ensure your Youth understand how they are young philanthropist and how they can positively impact their own community.

What is community?		 Youth will be able to identify the true meaning of philanthropy and as young people how they fit into the concept of philanthropy and community engagement.

Explore the importance of Community and what makes up the Youth community.
Explanation Definition of philanthropy:
1. Goodwill to fellow members of the human race especially – active effort to promote human welfare
2. (A): an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes; (B): an organization distributing or supported by funds set aside from humanitarian purposes.

During this process, you will Educate, Inspire and Engage your Youth on the impact they are able to have on the social issues and community they care about – even as a Middle School and High School Youth.

You will educate them on the TRUE meaning of being a philanthropist; it is NOT only about giving MONEY!

At their age they have the ability to give of their TIME – TALENT – TREASURE to positively impact their community.

Understand the impact of Random Acts of Kindness in the philanthropy world.		 Youth will be able to identify the key definition of philanthropy. The three themes of philanthropy: TIME – TALENT - TREASURE

Youth will be able to evaluate ways they have given their TIME – TALENT – TREASURES to their community and friends.

Gain an understanding that being a philanthropist doesn’t only mean volunteering at a non-profit organization. Random Acts of Kindness count.
Verification Giving Youth the opportunity to share ways they are a philanthropist.

How have they served their community?
Where have they volunteered their time?

How can they give their talents to an organization or their community?

IE: A football player can offer their skills to a Pee-Wee football team to support younger players.

Strong Math skills – mentor a younger Youth who may be struggling.		 Youth should be able to share their personal experience with philanthropy:

How have they served their community?
Where have they volunteered their time?

How can they give their talents to an organization or their community?
Activity To give youth an example of what philanthropy looks like and how SIMPLE it is to be a philanthropist: Ask the Youth to write a letter to a veteran, a teacher that has positively impacted them, a friend they want to express how much they appreciate their friendship, a parent for being so amazing and supportive etc.

Create a list of ways they can do Random Acts of Kindness for peers at school?

Youth will gain an understanding of HOW simple it is to be a philanthropist		 Based upon the activity selected by the facilitator, youth will understand the simplicity of being a philanthropist.

Youth should be able to identify ways they can and will be a philanthropists.
Reflection Youth should understand the meaning of TIME-TALENT-TREASURE

Take time to explore why our communities need philanthropists. Why it is important to them to be a philanthropist and how does it make you feel to do good or be kind. 		How do you feel when you do something good for the community, friends, and family?

Why do you feel it is so important that people are philanthropists?