Little Hands, Big Impact: How Preschoolers Are Redefining Philanthropy

ATLANTA, GA – December 01, 2025 – In classrooms across the country, some of the nation’s youngest students are tackling some of the world's biggest problems. At Big Blue Marble Academy (BBMA), an early childhood education network with nearly 100 schools, children as young as toddlers are raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for global and local causes. In 2025 alone, these young learners raised more than $275,000, bringing their five-year total to a staggering $1.5 million.

This is not a simple bake sale. It’s the result of a deeply integrated educational philosophy called service learning, which the academy brands as “Heart Projects.” These initiatives move beyond basic volunteering, weaving charity, empathy, and real-world problem-solving directly into the daily curriculum. The result is a powerful demonstration of how early education can cultivate not just academic readiness, but a profound sense of civic responsibility and the confidence to enact change.

A Curriculum with a Conscience

Service learning connects classroom instruction with meaningful community service. At BBMA, this means a project to fund a well in a developing country isn't just about collecting coins; it’s a lesson in geography, resource management, and social studies. Through its Heart Projects, the academy intentionally links philanthropic activities to its core learning domains, including Cognitive Development, Language & Literacy, and Social-Emotional Learning.

“Service Learning does more than teach students to care about others, it teaches them to understand their power, responsibility and place in the world,” said Jomar Jenkins, CEO of Big Blue Marble Academy. “So much of childhood is spent hearing what kids will do when they grow up. We believe in also showing them what they can do today. When young children can take action, they grow into confident problem-solvers.”

This year’s projects showcase the impressive scale and educational depth of this approach:

• Popcorn for a Purpose: Students sold an incredible $218,560 worth of popcorn. The proceeds are funding operational expenses for an orphanage in Ukraine via the GLOW Mission and covering shipping costs for holiday gifts to children in need. Along the way, students practiced math by handling money, teamwork in organizing sales, and planning by setting and tracking goals.

• Alex's Lemonade Stand: To support childhood cancer research, students raised $43,463. They engaged in every step of the process, from measuring ingredients for lemonade to creating advertising signs and communicating with customers, turning a classic fundraiser into a hands-on business and science lesson.

• Change for a Change: Partnering with Mission of Hope’s Madonna Project, students collected coins totaling $16,718. This will provide critical support for 167 new mothers at Rotifunk Hospital in Sierra Leone. The project involved counting and rolling coins while learning about the needs of families in other parts of the world.

In addition to fundraising, students also participated in direct acts of service, creating 583 “Blankets of Love” to be donated to local hospitals, shelters, and orphanages, providing a tangible connection to the comfort their work provides.

The Ripple Effect: From Local Classrooms to Global Impact

The impact of these projects extends far beyond the schoolhouse walls, creating tangible change in communities near and far. The funds raised for Mission of Hope, for example, build on a multi-year partnership that has had a profound effect. In a previous year, the Rotifunk Hospital in Sierra Leone was so grateful for the consistent support from BBMA students that it dedicated a labor and delivery suite in the school’s honor—a lasting testament to the efforts of four- and five-year-olds in America.

The collaboration with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation channels the students’ energy into a national effort that has funded over 1,500 pediatric cancer research projects. By participating, children learn that their small, local actions contribute to a much larger scientific and medical mission. Similarly, their work with GLOW Mission provides a direct lifeline to an orphanage in Ukraine, offering a clear and understandable link between selling a bag of popcorn and providing food and shelter for another child.

This approach helps children grasp the abstract concept of charity by connecting it to concrete outcomes. They aren't just giving money; they are helping mothers, funding research, and keeping other children warm. This transforms philanthropy from a passive act into an active, empowering experience.

The Growing Movement of Early Childhood Philanthropy

Big Blue Marble Academy is at the forefront of a growing trend in education that recognizes the importance of character development alongside academic skills. Experts in child development note that introducing philanthropy at a young age is highly effective for building empathy, social awareness, and emotional intelligence. When children are involved in deciding how to help and can see the results of their efforts, it fosters a sense of agency and confidence.

Other leading early education providers, such as Primrose Schools with its “Primrose Promise Giving Events,” have also integrated structured giving into their curricula. These programs signal a broader shift in the sector toward a more holistic educational model, where preparing a child for kindergarten also means preparing them to be a compassionate and engaged member of a community. The key, according to educational psychologists, is age-appropriateness. Projects must be presented in a way that empowers children without overwhelming them with the weight of complex global issues. BBMA's model, which focuses on positive action and relatable outcomes—like helping another child or a new mother—appears to strike this balance effectively.

This model is central to BBMA's rapid expansion. The academy has grown from 59 schools in 2023 to nearly 100 today, integrating its Heart Projects philosophy into each new community it enters. By embedding this mission into its core operations, BBMA has created a scalable blueprint for corporate social responsibility, mobilizing thousands of children and families across nine states to generate a significant, collective impact.

As these young students count coins, design posters, and sell popcorn, they are learning far more than numbers and letters. They are learning the invaluable lesson that no one is too small to make a difference. As CEO Jomar Jenkins reflected, “Their generosity and willingness to help people they may never meet is a reminder that compassion is not taught once — it's nurtured daily.”