Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? We’ve got answers.
The things educators ask us most about teaching philanthropy with Project Heart — from getting started to funding your students’ projects. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out, and we’ll help directly.
About Project Heart
What is Project Heart
Project Heart is our philanthropy education program designed for K-12 students. Building off of the belief that anyone can be a philanthropist, Project Heart helps students identify their passions and talents and how to apply them to a need or cause that they see in their communities and world.
How does Project Heart work?
Project Heart works by teaching students to look inside themselves to discover their passions and 3Ts – time, talent and treasure – and unleash their uniqueness to ignite change and make a difference. Students create their personal missions to help them identify needs or problems in their communities and the world that they can address and solve. Educators have access to complementary resources and a supportive community they can leverage to meet the needs of their diverse groups of students.
Why should I use Project Heart?
Today’s social climate is transforming the way young people see their place in the world. Rather than be in a sit-and-get environment, students are yearning for the opportunity to be a part of a solution to problems that they are seeing in the homes, schools, communities, and the world. Educators like you have a unique opportunity to help students harness their desire to create change by encouraging them to channel their passions into real-world solutions through hands-on projects that help students develop their voice while teaching them that they are valuable and powerful people. Teaching students philanthropy is more than just teaching them to give – philanthropy provides students with the opportunity to own their education by spearheading impact projects with their peers that have a tangible impact. Students gain valuable work and life skills such as collaboration, grit, problem-solving, and more that will help prepare them for careers and instill the value of being a change-maker for the rest of their lives.
How are Project Heart and the OtterCares Foundation related?
Project Heart is a program of The OtterCares Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring kids to become entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and changemakers. OtterCares creates and funds Project Heart — including the free curriculum, the Illumination Fund grants that support student projects, and all the resources across this site — so that any educator, anywhere, can teach kids that they have the power to make a difference.
Getting Started
How do I get Project Heart?
We have a whole website full of ideas to support teaching K-12 students how to do philanthropy! Start by exploring our resources and try out Project Heart with your kids today. Whether you’re looking for a trade book, need to teach your littles how to say the word philanthropy or want your older kids to complete their own impact project, you can find it here. Want to go deeper? Simply register here and get access to the entire Project Heart suite of resources and materials – FREE!
I am not a teacher — can I still use Project Heart?
Absolutely! Whether you’re running after school programs, summer enrichment, high school clubs, Sunday school or just about any other impactful programming, Project Heart has something for you and your K-12 kids. All educators who know the importance of “soft skills”, teaching a growth mindset and working to cultivate an empathy advantage need tools like Project Heart!
Which states or countries is Project Heart available?
Project Heart is available globally, anywhere you have an internet connection and a desire to inspire kids to be change-makers who make a difference in their communities and world.
Do I need an account, and when do I have to log in?
You’re welcome to explore and read almost everything on the site without an account — browse the curriculum, activities, project ideas, spotlights, and more. You’ll only be asked to log in when you’re ready to download a resource. Creating an account is quick, completely free, and unlocks every Project Heart material. Registering also helps us understand which resources are most useful so we can keep making them better. Register here.
How is my and my students’ information used and protected?
We only collect the basic information needed to give you access to resources and to understand how the Project Heart community is using them — things like your name, email, and role. We use it to support you, share occasional updates (which you can opt out of anytime), and improve our materials. We never sell your information. For the full details, see our Privacy Policy.
Teaching the Lessons
How many lessons do I need to implement?
One of the really great things about Project Heart is the flexibility in which you present the material to your students. There is no expectation of a minimum or maximum number of lessons that you should present. If you choose to implement each lesson in its entirety – that’s great! If you have an existing philanthropy/leadership curriculum that you use and you plan to use parts and pieces of Project Heart to amplify what you’re already doing – that’s great too!
Is there a specific order that I need to follow when implementing the lessons?
No! You can expect the first half of the lessons to be foundational philanthropy lessons and the second half to be lessons that will help your students plan and execute a successful service project. Though following the lessons in numerical order works great, the way in which you choose to move from one lesson to the next is completely up to you!
Are there “core” lessons that you recommend I present if I can’t fit in the entire program?
Though the lessons you implement are completely up to the needs of you and your students, we have heard feedback about a few lessons that were most impactful and set students up for the most success before planning their service projects:
Early Elementary School
Lesson 1 – Heart Helpers
Lesson 2 – Ways We Give
Upper Elementary School
Lesson 1 – What is Philanthropy?
Lesson 3A – What is a Nonprofit?
Lesson 4 – What is a Mission Statement?
Middle School
Lessons 1 – What Does Philanthropy Mean in Your Life?
Lesson 2 – How can YOU Make a Difference with Your 3Ts?
Lesson 3 – Which Personal Passions Drive Your Mission?
High School
Lesson 1 – Philanthropy in Your Life
Lesson 3 – 3Ts Improve Your Vision
Lesson 5 – Personal Passions and Career Goals
Lesson 6 – Philanthropic End Goals
What if I don’t have time for a full lesson? What would you suggest that I do instead?
Elementary School
We have created a book list that you are welcome to utilize as needed. Feel free to add in a book and some discussion questions afterward! You can find our full book list HERE.
Middle & High School
In addition to the 10 lessons provided with the Project Heart program, we also have 90 microlearnings available to you as well that you’re welcome to utilize in whatever way makes the most sense for your classroom. Our microlearnings consist of quotes, discussion topics, writing prompts and more that can be used as a starter for a Project Heart lesson, or as a standalone activity!
Is the curriculum aligned to standards (SEL, etc.)?
Yes. Project Heart is grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) and supports the five CASEL core competencies — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Many educators also connect it to STEM, ELA, and service-learning goals. Because the curriculum is flexible, lessons are easy to map to the standards and frameworks your school or district already uses.
How much prep does a lesson take?
Very little. Each lesson comes ready to teach — with a lesson plan, any slides or printables you’ll need, and clear step-by-step guidance — so most take just a few minutes to review beforehand. Teach straight from the materials, or adapt them to fit your class and the time you have.
Projects & Funding
Where can I find some past project examples or nonprofits to give us an idea of some direction?
We’ve put together a list of past project ideas (including the grade that planned each project), as well as a list of nonprofit profiles to help spark inspiration! Though we can’t include every nonprofit from every community, our hope is that a few organizations you see listed might help you think of a few in your area. You can find this resource HERE.
My students’ service project(s) cost money. Is there a way you can help me with that?
Yes! Our Illumination Fund was created specifically to support student-led projects that arise from the implementation of Project Heart. We offer two types of Illumination Funds:
Materials grant
A grant of up to $500 to purchase supplies for a service project. (Ex: cleanup day, luncheon fundraiser, lemonade stand, etc.)
Matching grant
The OtterCares Foundation will match up to $500 raised by a student-led fundraiser benefiting a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.
Collection drive match
The OtterCares Foundation will make a donation to the nonprofit your project benefits based on the number of items you collect.
Field trip fund
The OtterCares Foundation will reimburse the cost of transportation for a field trip to a local nonprofit organization. NOTE: Field trip requests will only be considered if there is a corresponding service project with the same nonprofit organization.
Learn more about the Illumination Fund and how you can apply HERE.
The Unstoppable! Book
What is the Unstoppable! book and is it free?
Unstoppable! is a collection of real, inspiring stories of kids who saw a need and did something about it — proof for your students that they’re never too young to make a difference. And yes, it’s completely free: you can read it online or request printed copies for your classroom. Just visit the Get the Book page, choose the option that works for you, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Can I get printed copies for my class, or read it online?
Both! You can read the full book online right away, or request a set of printed copies to share with your students. Just visit the Get the Book page, choose the option that works for you, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Get Started Today — It’s Free
Ready to Ignite Philanthropy in Your Classroom?
Join hundreds of educators using Project Heart to turn students into tomorrow’s changemakers. Register for free and get instant access to the complete K–12 curriculum library.
See Real Impact in Real Classrooms
From classroom transformations to student-led community initiatives, Project Heart creates measurable change in schools across the country. When young people learn they are valued, powerful individuals who can create positive change, the unexpected happens—improved collaboration, enhanced critical thinking, increased empathy, and lasting impact that extends far.