Step 3: Nonprofit Research

Overview: The purpose of this phase of the process is to research non-profits that identify under the social cause the youth have selected to research during the project. In this phase of the project youth are to identify the non-profit they will move forward with and plan to learn more about what the organization does for the social cause and the community.  

Grade: 6-12

Phases Leader Guide Youth Guide
Objectives To empower youth to research multiple (recommend at least 3) non-profit organizations whose mission supports the social issue the youth has selected in phase 2 of the project. Youth will have the opportunity to identify through an initial research process at least 3 non-profits in the community that supports the social issue identified as an area of interest.
Explanation UNDERSTANDING NON-PROFITS SUPPORTING SOCIAL ISSUE OF INTEREST

Direct students to explore the Magnified Giving list of registered and approved non-profits partnering with this program. Registered and Approved Non-profits on this list have the opportunity to identify their mission under 3 of the 13 social issue topics. The website is designed to allow the research to be filtered by the social issue or alphabetically.

The information shared on the registration form is very basic but will support the initial information gathering.

This is an opportunity for students to begin to analyze and determine what to they want to find in the non-profit they will ultimately advocate to be the recipient of the 1,000.00 grant. 		Through discussion and investigation youth will think about the school, friends, community, and city – examining issues and areas that are concerning. Identify what specific area the youth would like to learn more about during the remainder of this project. Give the youth the opportunity to share their WHY.
Verification Ensuring the youth are given the opportunity to express themselves about the social cause they wish to learn more about. Ensuring the youth understand the impact of the selected social cause on the community and how they can give their time, talent and treasure to this cause.

Through the included activities students will gain a deeper understanding of their personal passion and desire for their community. Also, they will begin examining what can be done to support the social issue.		 At the end of this step of the program participating youth will have their social issue identified to be prepared to move to the non-profit research phase.

Youth need to understand if the are working independently or will be working within a small group throughout the rest of this project.
Activity Lead students through the discovery of their social issue they wish to learn more about through this project. Through discussion and investigation, the student to look at the issue on a Global, National, State and Local level to truly gain an understanding of the issue at hand. This investigation can be done in a small group or individually.

By providing the Initial Research Guide to the youth they will begin gathering information about the non-profit organziation. This information on the research guilde can be located on the Non-profit Registration Page and/or the non-profit website.

Several activities are linked under RESOURCES:
Heartbreak
Blue Sky Envision Activity
Talent + Heart = SUPERPOWER 		The activity will allow youth to identify how they want to support their community and be an engaged citizen. Several of the activities allow them to identify positive activities they can do at their age to make an impact in the community.
Reflection Evaluate a reflection activity in the book Take time to understand why the social issue selected by the student is important to them. Take time to reflect on why his issue rose to the top for you. Through reflection activities.

Allowing the youth to share among their peers will allow them to understand that they are NOT alone.