Learning About Philanthropy With Hands-On Activities

We all know someone who isn’t afraid to “stick their neck out” to help others. They are people whose selflessness and compassion go beyond good deeds. Here are some simple and practical ways for children to be philanthropic. These ideas can be incorporated into state-mandated curricula, as well as, everyday lives.

The Meaning of Philanthropy

I began by asking my homeschooled children what ‘philanthropy’ means to them. They came up with words such as ‘common good’, ‘trustworthiness’, ‘giving’, and ‘caring’. This prompted a discussion about the meaning of community, good citizenship, and personal responsibility, which tied in nicely to our social studies curriculum. It also tied into our character education component, as we talked about the characteristics of people who volunteer. I then had them read the biographies of some famous philanthropists, such as Mother Theresa and Bill Gates.

Where Do I Start?

As a general rule, children love to help others. It empowers them and makes them feel good about themselves. It’s also important for children to engage in hands-on activities so that they can see the difference they can make in the lives of others. Begin by posing the following three questions: What do you think needs changing? What interests you? What do you enjoy? Make sure they understand that philanthropy isn’t limited to raising money for causes, and that there are plenty of other ways for them to help others. Younger children often have a hard time with the abstract concept of raising money. So show them other, more concrete, ways that to be philanthropic. You can do this by donating used clothing to charities or collecting cans for a food drive. Also, as you lead by example, you’ll be showing them that being philanthropic is a regular part of your life, not just a one-time activity.

Brainstorming Ideas

The next step is to give children plenty of time to brainstorm ideas and write them down. If they desire, let them carry a piece of paper around with them while they’re thinking of ideas. Remember, inspiration can strike in the most unusual places! Once they’ve chosen a broad topic, help them narrow it down. Research has shown that concentrating on a single issue lets children focus their creative energy and hone their higher-order thinking skills.

Practical Ways to Showcase Talents

Then it’s time for them to showcase their talents and interests. As with any endeavor, some children prefer to work in a group, while others like to work alone. My son is passionate about animals, especially dogs. Over the course of several months he collected old blankets from neighbors and friends. I took a picture of him standing next to the pile, which was taller than him, and he made it into a poster. He gave copies of it to local animal hospitals for their bulletin boards. He purposely didn’t put his name on it, as he wanted the focus to be on the animals, not on him. It’s his hope that it’ll encourage future donations.

While global issues often take center stage in the philanthropy arena, let your children know that there are many smaller, equally worthwhile, ways for them to contribute their time, energy, and talents in a helpful manner. It might be as simple as sending a “thank you” card to a veterans’ home, or drawing a picture for a family who’s experiencing hardship. Here are some great ways to encourage philanthropy.

Philanthropy Lessons and Activities:

Getting the Hang of Philanthropy

Students interview family members about philanthropic acts they've performed. Then they describe the role of philanthropy in the family and community. 

Philanthropy and Philanthropists' Qualities

This is a fun lesson in which students act out the characteristics of philanthropists in a game of charades! They also locate volunteer groups in the Yellow Pages, and research well-known American philanthropists. 

Careers in Philanthropy

Students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the difference between for profit and non-profit businesses in their local community.