Project Heart in Action: Spotlights
Real Kids.
Real Change.
When students discover the power of their time, talent, and treasure, extraordinary things happen. Explore stories of young philanthropists making a difference in their classrooms, communities, and beyond.
Browse Spotlights
These examples from past projects are meant to spark your imagination and show what's possible when students channel their passion into action.
Walking 6K to Build a Library — Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
Inspired by their teacher's trip to Africa, Oak Lawn middle schoolers hosted a 6K walk for literacy to raise funds to build a library in Zimbabwe with the Tinogona Foundation.
Lighting the Way: Engineering Brightness & the Fight Against Light Poverty
Students discover Engineering Brightness, a movement tackling light poverty for 1.3 billion people worldwide — one solar lantern at a time.
Puppies, Reptiles & an Autism Program — Dunn Elementary GT Classes
GT students in grades 3–5 chose three different causes, pitched to nonprofits, earned grants, and executed their own student-led service projects.
Project Hort: Where Giving Meets Growing — Gardens on Spring Creek
Middle and high schoolers at Gardens on Spring Creek combine environmental stewardship with philanthropy, creating community projects through the Project Hort summer program.
When You Show Kids They Can Make a Difference — Olander School
Teacher Kris Odenbaugh shares how three years of Project Heart transformed her students into confident difference-makers through a student-run coin drive.
Tiny Philanthropists, Mighty Impact — Carrie Martin Elementary
Ms. Elliott's 3rd graders in Loveland raised over $1,500 for International Hearing Dog through an entrepreneurial fair and an OtterCares Illumination Fund grant.
17 Years Strong: Hearts for Respite Luncheon — Lopez Elementary
For 17 years, Lopez Elementary 4th graders have hosted a Valentine's Day luncheon, raising funds to send kids in their community to Respite Care's Wilderness Camp.
Building a Giving Culture from Day One — Bamford Elementary
New principal Alissa Poduska partnered with OtterCares and MindSpark Learning to make Project Heart central to Bamford's identity before the school even opened.
13 Nonprofits in One Day — High Plain School Day of Service
High Plains Middle School students split into 13 groups and spent one day volunteering alongside Otter Products employees at nonprofits across Northern Colorado.