Planting Seeds of Humanity: Charity for Change is Bringing Back HUMANITY

by Karen Conley,
Founder, President & CEO of Charity for Change

Children today are growing up in a world that feels increasingly negative. Bullying, loneliness, anxiety and mounting academic pressures threaten not only how students learn, but how they see themselves and one another. For many families, especially those with limited access to mental wellness and enrichment resources, these challenges can seem overwhelming.

Charity for Change exists to meet this challenge, with hope, purpose, and proven solutions.

Humanity in a Challenging World
Founded in 2008 on a simple yet powerful belief – that if children are taught to care about each other and their world around them, success will follow – Charity for Change has grown from two pilot schools participating in the program into a far-reaching movement cultivating character, empathy and resiliency. Since its inception, more than 160,000 elementary-aged children across the country have participated in the Charity for Change character education program.

At the heart of the program are nine core character traits:
• Citizenship
• Cooperation
• Integrity
• Kindness
• Perseverance
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Self-Control
• Tolerance

Practical examples of these traits are integrated with charitable involvement and academics, ensuring students not only learn about character and generosity but also practice them every day.

Through weekly lessons, project-based activities, the engaging GiverTV video series, opportunities for charitable giving and more, students build confidence, empathy and resilience – key skills that are essential to their success in school, future careers and life.

Planting Seeds of Humanity:
In 2025, this approach to character education reached more than 25,500 students across 451 schools in over 30 Florida counties and 13 states.

Impact Inside & Beyond the Classroom
The impact of the Charity for Change program is measurable and meaningful. Teachers recently surveyed rated the program highly across key outcomes, based on a 10 point scale:
Character Development: 9.26
Learning Environment: 9.32
Self-Esteem: 8.8
Resiliency: 8.94
Mental Well-Being: 8.82

Additionally, nearly 99% of students showed improvement in the nine core character traits that anchor the curriculum. Beyond the classroom, students have raised more than $150,000 for over 100 community charities, transforming learning into real-world generosity and helping children see how their actions can make a positive difference for others.

Growing the Next Generation
What began as a seed with an idea has blossomed into a robust network of educators, schools and community-based partnerships committed to the success and mental well-being of our children. And Charity for Change is continuing to grow.

By 2027, Charity for Change is on track to serve 75,000 children annually through expanded partnerships with school districts, community organizations and key programs, including Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs.

With continued support, Charity for Change will keep planting seeds of humanity, ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow in confidence and resilience so they can thrive in the years ahead. Together, we are helping to shape a future defined not by division and anxiety, but by empathy and humanity.