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Solid Foundation

Lesson 2:

From Unit Foundations and You

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Electronic Text; Journaling; Letter Writing; Listening; Writing Mechanics; Writing Process
PHIL:	Charity; Common Good; Community Foundation; Fundraising; Grantmaking
SOC:	1 genOn; Budget; Common Good; Communities; Foundations; Nonprofit; Resource Allocation

Purpose:

Students learn the definition of a foundation and become familiar with the resources of the Learning to Give Website. A representative of a local community foundation speaks to the class about the foundation’s mission, activities and funding.

Teacher Note: In advance, invite a representative from a local community foundation to speak to the class. (If possible, invite representatives from two or three foundations – a community and a family foundation - on consecutive days.) Give the speaker a copy of Attachment One: Foundation Speaker Notes so he or she knows what is expected.

Duration:

Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will:

define foundation as a nonprofit organization that distributes funds through grants for charitable activities for the common good.
become familiar with the resources available on the Learning to Give Website.
name at least three charitable organizations in the community.
take detailed notes from the representative of a community foundation.
write thank-you letters that summarize some of the speaker’s key points.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

None for this lesson.

Materials:

Internet access and large display screen for group participation
Computer lab with Internet access for students to browse
Journals and pencils
Chart paper and markers
Student copies of Attachment One: Foundation Speaker Notes

Handout 1: Foundation Speaker Notes

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:

Start the lesson by displaying the Learning to Give Website on the large screen. Tell the students a little about Learning to Give. Go to the page “Foundation Profiles” at http://learningtogive.org/resources/foundations/foundations.asp. On this page you will find the definition of a foundation. Read and discuss the top half of this page with the students. Have students write the definition of a foundation in their journals. (A foundation is a nonprofit organization started by individuals, families or businesses that supports causes and programs that benefit society for the common good by giving grants of money to worthy causes.) Read about the major types of foundations.

In Lesson One: “Phil”-ing Good, students brainstormed some local foundations and philanthropists with their families. Discuss the examples they brought from home. Using the definitions from the Learning to Give Website, decide whether the examples are foundations (and if possible, what type of foundation).
On chart paper, make a list of local charitable organizations. Star the examples that are foundations.
Look specifically at the definition of a Community foundation: Community foundations are operated by and for the benefit of a specific geographic region. They receive their funds from a variety of donors and are administered by a governing body representative of community interests. The funds are held in an account and grants are issued from the interest earned on the account.
Allow student pairs to browse the Learning to Give Website for information about specific foundations at http://learningtogive.org/papers/by_category.asp?cat=Organizations and http://learningtogive.org/resources/foundations/foundations.asp

Day Two

Invite a representative from a local community foundation to speak to the class about the foundation’s mission, activities, funding sources and budget. Ask the speaker whether young people are welcome to write grant proposals. If so, what types of needs in the community are appropriate for young people to address? If not, does the speaker know of youth-centered foundations?
The students take notes on Attachment One: Foundation Speaker Notes.
When the speaker is gone, the students write thank-you letters that include at least one sentence summarizing a key point of the speaker. The written letters should apply writing conventions and go through the writing process. Send the notes to the speaker through the mail. (You may wish to have students write their rough drafts in their journals.)

Assessment:

Assess student notes and letters for comprehension of the foundation’s purpose.

School/Home Connection:

None for this lesson.

Cross-Curriculum Extensions:

Students may make a written/oral report about one of the foundations or its founders described on the Learning to Give Website under “Foundation Profiles.”