Information for Teachers & Parents:
In the Classroom
Markmakers can be used in the classroom to introduce children to the concept of charitable giving and social activism. One idea is to ask childern to bring in 50 cents or $1 each and then pool their funds. The teacher uses the funds to purchase a markmakers card. The class then explores each of the six areas for giving within markmakers (kids in need, poverty, disease, animal welfare, the environment, peace & justice) and discusses where among these categories to allocate the class' funds. A variation might include asking children to do independent research at the markmakers website and then speak in support of a cause they feel passionately about. Markmakers cards can be allocated to individual causes or needs in incriments of as little as $1. This gives a class the opportunity to allocate a $10 card as many as 10 different ways.
Markmakers is unaffilliated with any religious or political organization. A list of the organizations to which funds can be allocated by card holders can be found on the "about markmakers" page of this site.
At Home
There are no links out from markmakers to any other website. So, a child can explore the site and read about the different causes and needs available here, without traveling to a place where she might end up on a mailing list. All giving through markmakers is anonymous. We do not pass on the names of the child or the card purchaser to any organization.
Markmakers helps create a dialogue between a gift giver and a young person about making a difference in the world.
When you purchase a markmakers card, you will be prompted to write some personal thoughts to the young recipient that will automatically accompany the card.
When the recipient has distributed the funds on the card you will automatically be notified, and we prompt the young person to write a personal note back to you, perhaps with a comment about the experience.
The notification includes a summary of the distribution choices made by the young person. Hopefully, the choices made will provide an opportunity for an engaging dialogue betwen you and the child.