Our country and its institutions would not be what they are without philanthropy. From the earliest days of the new world, there were documented acts of philanthropy that set the course for what the United States of America would become.
It’s not hard to think of big ones — James Smithson’s estate gift that created the Smithsonian Institution, or Andrew Carnegie’s funding of more than 2,500 libraries. But it’s also the small acts of giving that happen daily, such as collecting cans for a food pantry or dropping coins in a Salvation Army red kettle, that truly drive how we serve and define who we are.
The MacArthur Foundation, which is known for its “genius awards,” was recently profiled in Nonprofit Quarterly for their philanthropic investment in brain research, particularly the early years of child development.
The impact of their investment is profound. We now know so much more about the development that occurs in the first five years of life and through adolescence. Because of this research, shifts in policies and programs have been widespread.
The article goes into detail, but we’d like to highlight one outcome — a free resource for parents to help promote their child’s brain development through the use of household items.
In the spirit of the holiday season, this resource is a gift for families, the field, and our collective understanding for generations to come.
Article by: Kerri Laubenthal Mollard, Founder & CEO
