This unit was developed with middle school students in mind. It is designed to help them understand and explore philanthropy. The students will discover the history of philanthropy in Michigan and the history of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. They will investigate, via the Internet, local foundations and graph financial details. After a lesson of role-playing, the students will venture into the community and interview philanthropists. The interviews will be videotaped and used for assessment.

The learner will:

• define philanthropy.
• trace the history of philanthropy in Michigan.
• relate philanthropy to his/her own life.
• describe the history and function of a grant-making foundation.
• research a local grant-making foundation through the Internet.
• compare two foundations by graphing their financial information.
• generate interview questions.
• role play the interview process.
• identify how citizens of their community conduct philanthropy.

The assessment of the unit will be the video and the presentation. The assessments of the lessons are:

• Human Timeline
• Scavenger Hunt Rubric
• Speech poise, volume, eye contact, information obtained
• Reflection discussion
  

If video equipment is not available, the project can be accomplished using pictures taken with digital, disposable, or instant cameras. The pictures could be included in a display with reports and reflections about philanthropy, nonprofits in the community and the interview process.

In advance, contact several representatives from local nonprofits about their willingness to come to the school or receive a visit from students, be interviewed and video taped for ten-fifteen minutes about their organization. Access the Learning to Give Web site at http://learningtogive.org click on "Resources Room," "Michigan Map of Resources" or so a zip code search on www.guidestar.org as sources for these contacts.