Our Vision

What is Give as We Grow®?

We envision a world where all children engage in giving back and are equipped to reach their full potential as changemakers. 

Mission statement

Give As We Grow® engages elementary-aged children in learning the principles of generosity, inspiring action in their communities, and connecting their passions to philanthropic impact.

What we do

About Give As We Grow®

Give As We Grow® is designed to inspire, educate, and track philanthropic activity from as early as age three up to adulthood, utilizing an innovative digital platform comprising of a play-based learning application, an activity tracking feature, and a comprehensive collection of resources. 

Families and children can find a variety of content including games, educational videos, and how-tos to foster generosity in everyone from toddlers to teens. Users set up an account and create giving profiles for each family member in the app, recording individual donations and volunteer hours so you can see your generosity journey unfold! 

From content for the youngest of philanthropists to parenting advice from experts in the field, there is something for every age and stage at Give As We Grow®.

Our App

Explore, Play & Learn

Through virtual world exploration and minigames, elementary-aged players discover the world of philanthropy – the causes they’re passionate about and find new ways to give.

Our Giving Journal

Take & Track Action

Within the app, children can also track their real-world acts of giving, earn points, and see their impact over time in the Give As We Grow® Giving Journal. Parents have access to a password protected family dashboard which displays giving entries, gameplay stats, and highlights such as their child’s top giving interests.

Our Website

To help continue the conversation at home and take action offline, we’ve curated a collection of resources for all ages.

Resources

Under the Resource Library tab, you’ll find a searchable collection of resources such as activities, book lists, stories about real kids giving back, podcasts, and service project plans. For adults, we’ve included additional materials such as guides for discussing your family’s values and generosity with children. 

Opportunities to Give Back

Under the Give Back tab, we’ve collected online tools for finding giving opportunities near you. This includes tools for locating volunteer opportunities, identifying reputable organizations, and using your connections and talents to support a cause.

The 4 T’s of Philanthropy

Philanthropy, taking action that benefits others, can take many forms. When discussing ways to give, we use the 4 T’s framework.

You can help others by giving your…

Time

Serving others is a valuable, gratifying use of time. You can give your time through volunteering hours towards helping others or supporting a charitable organization.

Talent

We each have natural talents and cultivated skills or expertise which can be used to help others. People can donate their skills towards community development or nonprofits.

Treasure

Donating money or personal items can be an impactful way to help others. You might also use your time, talents, and ties to generate treasures for others. 

Ties

Make an impact together! Nurturing community, speaking to friends and family, and drawing from your network to connect the right people are all effective ways to support a cause.

Utilize our curriculum to learn how to continue the conversation at home, and explore how your family can use the 4 T’s to keep giving and growing.

Giving for every season

Thanksgiving Activities

Give back as a family today! Scroll through these easy ideas and check out our resource library for more.

Discussion Guides

Spark a Giving Conversation

Learning to Give

This guide provides conversation starters to help families discuss different elements of kindness, generosity, community, and inclusion.

Activities

Wish families a Happy Thanksgiving

Feeding America

Using your voice can be a great way to express support and create a sense of community. This online portal allows you to write a Thanksgiving message to someone visiting a food bank.

Project Guides

Build a Little Free Pantry

Little Free Pantry

Little Free Pantries can be a great way to provide people with non-perishable food or other items they may need. They’re also a visible way to tell your community that you care. This website provides tips for building and maintaining your own Little Free Pantry.

Games

Giving Games: Illustration

The Family Dinner Project

Art can be a powerful learning tool. This game takes the fun of drawing and guessing game and applies it to the topic of giving. Think telephone meets pictionary! You’ll need three or people for this game.

Project Guides

Host a virtual food drive at your holiday gathering

Feeding America

This guide explains what a virtual food drive is and how to host one. Virtual food drives can be a covid-safe way to share resources or celebrate the season with loved ones near and far. They also can help food banks save resources and purchase more fresh foods than a traditional food drive.

Books

Picture Books to Help You Slow Down and Say Thanks

PBS Kids

Embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving by selecting a captivating book for a family read-aloud, sparking a meaningful conversation about the things that inspire gratitude; here are nine recommended titles enjoyed by my family.

Discussion Guides

Giving Conversations: Conversation Starters

The Family Dinner Project

Take the first step on your giving journey with these conversation starters. Sorted by age, these discussion cards can help you talk with your child about ways they can use their time, talent, treasure, and ties to help others.

Project Guides

How to Participate in GivingTuesday

GivingTuesday

This guide offers ideas on ways to get involved and give on GivingTuesday, from small acts of kindness to bigger volunteer projects.

Discussion Guides

Thanksgiving Conversation Starters

The Family Dinner Project

Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to extend our gratitude and generosity towards others. This is a collection of Thanksgiving-themed conversation starters about gratitude and giving. Use these tools to encourage intergenerational conversation, express gratitude, and discuss ways to give to others.

Articles

Reimagining Your Thanksgiving Celebration

Doing Good Together

This Thanksgiving, consider how the holiday can be an opportunity to instill empathy. This article encourages us to move beyond expressing gratitude and take action, providing family friendly activity recommendations. The author also encourages us to support indigenous groups and offers conversation starters.

Activities

Gratefulness Grab Bag

The Family Dinner Project

Here’s an quick, easy game that emphasizes gratitude. All you need is a piece of paper, a pen, and a bowl or bag. For an additional philanthropy-centered twist, have players write down ways they can give their time, talent, treasure, or ties for the good of others.

Activities

Make a Grateful Garland With Your Family

PBS Kids

This craft is a fun way to express gratitude and create a memorable keepsake. It can also be a good opportunity to gather as a family and discuss generosity, interests, and caring for others.

Project Guides

How to Give Back this Thanksgiving

Feeding America

This guide explains different ways you can support food banks on Thanksgiving. Options include giving your time by volunteering directly, hosting a virtual food drive, donating food, or sending a holiday message.

Printables

Giving Games: Thanksgiving Place Settings

The Family Dinner Project

Saying what you’re grateful for is a popular Thanksgiving mealtime tradition. This year, introduce a new philanthropic element! These printable place cards can be a great way to start a family conversation about giving.

Activities

Make a Thankful Turkey

PBS Kids

This craft is a fun way to express gratitude and create a memorable keepsake. It can also be a good opportunity to gather as a family and discuss generosity, interests, and caring for others.