Grants

The World We Want Foundation
The World We Want Foundation promotes and supports philanthropy for young global citizens making change in their communities.  The Foundation provides micro-grants, mentoring and a forum for sharing stories of social impact.  To learn more or to get involved, visit http://theworldwewantfoundation.org

Mix It Up Grants
Deadline: Rolling
The Southern Poverty Law Center is accepting applications for its Mix It Up grants program to support ongoing projects led and directed by youth (ages 13 and older) that challenge the status quo, are creative in their approach to encouraging engagement in socially just behaviors, involve collaborations across social boundaries, and are fiscally responsible. Maximum award: $500. Ages served: middle and high school. Visit http://www.tolerance.org
 

Do Something Seed Grants
Deadline: Rolling
Do Something is offering weekly grants of $500 to help out projects addressing different causes around the world. Do Something Seed Grants are targeted toward project ideas and programs that are just getting started. These grants are available to individuals ages 25 or under who are working to start a community action project or program. Learn more at: http://www.dosomething.org/grants/seedgrants 
 

Grant Opportunities for Students
DoSomething.org with an aim to inspire, support, and celebrate youth taking action offers a variety of grants, ranging from $500 to $1000, to young people seeking to make a positive impact in their community. Complete details can be found at http://www.dosomething.org/grants
 

DonorsChoose.org, Gates Foundation and Stephen Colbert Team Up to Support Teachers and Promote College Readiness for All
"Double Your Impact" program to fund 50 percent of teachers’ classroom projects aimed at promoting college readiness.
Click Here to go to Gates Foundation website

Project Citizen Resources

Digital Portfolio Available!
The Center for Civic Education announces the debut of a digital reproduction of a Project Citizen portfolio. The online tool, available at http://www.civiced.org/digitalPortfolio/, showcases the components of an exemplary Project Citizen portfolio and binder. The portfolio is the work of fifth-grade students from W.J. Quarles Elementary School in Long Beach, Mississippi.  

A second example of an exemplary portfolio from Illinois can be viewed here: http://www.crfc.org/boardspcwin09.html

Worksheets and Templates
ABC's of Public Policy - Helping Teachers Get It - PDF
Using Newspapers and Project Citizens - PDF
Working Through A Public Policy Issue - PDF
Project Citizen "First-timers" Guide - PDF
Is it Constitutional? - PDF
Project Citizen Literacy Correlations - PDF

Books

Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way: Lessons from an Urban Classroom   By Brian D. Schultz, Ph.D.

From Teachers College Press  
What happens when a teacher resists the pressures of “teaching to the test” and creates a curriculum based on student needs, wants, and desires? Brian Schultz did just that when he challenged his students from a housing project in Chicago to name a problem in their community that they wanted to solve. When the students unanimously focus on replacing their dilapidated school building, an unforgettable journey is put into motion. As his students examine the conditions of their blighted school and research the deeper causes of decay, they set off on a mission of remedy and repair. It is finally the students’ own questions and activities that power their profound self-transformations. This moving story is a tribute to what determined teachers are able to achieve in the current stifling environment of high-stakes testing and standardization. Anyone who has faith in creativity, commitment, and the deep potential of inner-city children and youth will want to read this book. 
 

Civics in Practice - Principles of Government and Economics by Holt, Rinehard and Winston

Help your students become responsible and active young American citizens with the new Civics in Practice: Principles of Government and Economics. With a standards-based narrative, easy-to-navigate design, and instructional visuals, students will be engaged and interested in the study of civics. Skills features focus on media investigation, civic participation, application of common law, and making informed economic choices.
 

DVDs
The World We Want
“The documentary film features students identifying, analyzing, and proposing solutions to public policy problems in their communities. Produced by Patrick Davidson Productions, The World We Want captures the dedication, determination, and empowerment of teenagers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Indonesia, India, Jordan, Russia, Senegal, and the United States as they work to realize their dreams of improving their schools, communities, and the world through the democratic process.”