Understanding Philanthropy in K-12 Schools

Policymakers, educators, and nonprofit leaders have noted a critical need for empowering young people to understand philanthropy and create pathways to action. However, in understanding the terminology of philanthropy education, identifying key components, and enhancing the quality and consistency of existing curricula, many questions are still left unanswered.

What types of philanthropy education programs are currently offered at K-12 schools across the country? What are the similarities and differences among these programs? What are the core curriculum elements of philanthropy education? In what ways do practitioners in philanthropy education programs define associated terminology? What are the similarities and differences in the way these terms are used and understood? This study provides insights into these questions by: 1) analyzing prior research and existing programs to identify important components of philanthropy education; 2) analyzing data obtained from telephone interviews with teachers and administrators at K-12 schools offering philanthropy education programs; 3) analyzing data obtained from a web-based survey of a random sample of independent schools; and 4) developing a typology of philanthropy education programs.