Mission:
To educate youth about philanthropy, the nonprofit and volunteer sector, and the importance of giving their time, talent, and treasure for the common good; to develop philanthropic behavior and experience; and to empower youth to take voluntary citizen action for the common good into their classrooms, lives, and communities.

Background:
Launched in Michigan in 1997 by the Council of Michigan Foundations and a steering committee of thirteen collaborators in education, voluntarism, and nonprofit leadership, Learning to Give provides K-12 lessons about philanthropy, with activities that involve students in serving their communities. The project's goal is to introduce this content into the core curricula of public and private schools in rural, suburban, and urban areas nationwide and in other countries. It also hopes to perpetuate civil society by teaching children about the independent sector and to foster in them a commitment to grassroots action for the good of the community.

Outstanding Web Features:
The Learning to Give Web site contains resources for parents, youth workers, and students, but the most in-depth sections are those designed for teachers, with links to folktales, quotations, a bibliography of children's literature with philanthropic themes, and career information; and for religious leaders, with a focus on the traditions of giving and serving from major faith perspectives. The Web site also features a "resource room" with information on National Philanthropy Day, Hurricane Katrina lessons, profiles of selected foundations, a guide for establishing a student-run foundation, and a glossary. It also links to the free Giving Game.