Teaching teens philanthropy

During the last six years, the VING Project (named after the last four letters of the word "giving") has given teenagers $1,000 each  so they can do something kind for someone outside their family. To receive a check for $1,000, teens must submit a 2-minute video to the foundation explaining why they wish to give money to their nominee.

If the charity accepts the video, the $1,000 check is sent directly to the teen so they can present it to their nominee, sometimes a favorite teacher. In the month of April alone, VING gave away more than $250,000 in checks to teens. U.S.-based teens between 14 and 18 are encouraged to submit their nominations to the VING project Web site.