Friday, January 9, 2009

Pay It Forward

SEE WEBSITE :: Pay It Forward Foundation

The Pay It Forward Foundation (PIFF) was established in September 2000 by author Catherine Ryan Hyde and others to educate and inspire students to realize that they can change the world, and give them opportunities to do so.

Pay It Forward begins with doing a favor for another person, without any expectation of being paid back, and follows by requesting that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else—ideally for three other people.

The unconditional favors can be large or small. It doesn't have to be a big thing. It can just seem that way, depending on for whom it is done, and what is chosen to be done.

Ask your students to think of an idea that can change your school, your community, or the world, and put it into action. Suggestions for designing your students’ own Pay It Forward Project, along with examples of projects that have received mini-grant support are available on the foundation’s web site. PIFF’s mini-grant program provides supportive education materials and funding for up to $500 to those who qualify.

As your students create their own ideas for how to pay it forward within their school or community, this presents an opportunity to incorporate relevant social issues and current affairs into classroom discussions.

Learn more about designing a project. :: Apply for a mini-grant. :: See recent grant recipients and examples.