From The Field

News & Stories

Global Doing Good partners with educators to provide unique learning experiences that inspire young people to better their communities and in turn better themselves. Explore the stories, powerful testimonials, and initiatives that define GDG.

Three middle-school students smiling during a Benjamin Project delivery

Featured · The Benjamin Project

The Power of Trust: Turning $100 into Compassionate Citizens

What happens when you treat students like essential citizens? Hand them a $100 mission and the autonomy to act, and The Benjamin Project becomes a high-impact force for good — not just in dollars, but in the transformation that happens when a real win meets the adolescent brain.

$44,000Community impact

435Students

90Days

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All Impact Stories Civic Learning Weekly Roundups Insights

Weekly Roundup

Weekly Roundup: March 12, 2026

Check out this week's roundup of the good things going on at GDG! Stories this week feature a school fundraiser to help a local drug rehab center in Wisconsin, Valentine's day cards for the elderly in Nevada, and a Chicago Bear's themed silent auction gift to help a family in need in Indiana.

Hailey donating supplies to a local animal shelter

Weekly Roundup

Weekly Roundup: March 5, 2026

Check out this week's roundup of the good things going on at GDG! Stories this week feature a donation to an animal shelter in Nevada, baby clothes donated to an organization in Nebraska, and Christmas ornaments made for a retirement home in Minnesota.

Impact Story Minnesota

From $100 to $11,000: How One Minnesota Student Fueled a Local Food Shelf

Declan from Minnesota grew his $100 Benjamin Project funds into over $11,000. He saw a need during the October 2025 government shutdown and helped a local food bank in need.

Two students shoveling snow to clear a path.

Insight Program Advisor

The Hidden Impact: A Reflection on Service Learning

As we approach the New Year, we’re looking at the incredible stories coming out of The Benjamin Project. These stories remind us that young people aren’t just the future, they are the good our world needs today. Read on to see how a little curiosity and a lot of compassion are changing communities.

A lush middle school garden, featuring raised beds with various plants like tomatoes, squash, and corn, with a wooden bench in the foreground

Insight Executive Director of Global Doing Good

Grow Where You’re Planted

A middle school garden, initially just a patch of earth, transforms into a vibrant space that yields not only produce but also significant community impact. Inspired by the "Grow Where You Are Planted" philosophy, students learn the power of giving, contributing to flood relief, local historical preservation, and food bank initiatives, demonstrating how a simple idea can blossom into lasting service.

The Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference (WCSS 25) in Madison, WI

Insight GDG Educational Ambassador

Inspiring Connections at WCSS 25: Making Social Studies Matter

Exploring the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference (WCSS 25) in Madison, WI, this post highlights the discussions on making social studies matter. Discover how Global Doing Good connects with educators and Civics Fellows to empower students and teachers through initiatives like The Benjamin Project, fostering civic engagement and literacy.

A student engaged in civic action and service learning

Civic Learning Executive Director of Global Doing Good

Empowering Future Leaders: The Crucial Role of Civic Action and Service Learning in Education

This article emphasizes the importance of civic action and service learning in education, highlighting how these initiatives empower students and strengthen democracy. It showcases states leading in civics education and outlines Global Doing Good's programs, like The Benjamin Project, that support educators in engaging students in meaningful service.

Sarah, a Global Doing Good Education Ambassador, stands with a group of students in Tie-Dye shirts in front of Roxbourgh Intermediate’s “Benjamin Wall”

Impact Story GDG Educational Ambassador

The Benjamin Project in Action: Inspiring 5th Grade Students Making a Difference

Witness the inspiring work of 5th-grade students who participated in The Benjamin Project! These young leaders used their creativity and passion to make a difference in their community. Their projects were diverse and impactful, from organizing fundraising events to volunteering their time.

Roby, from Denver, Colorado, stands with their mother and representatives from Dress for Success with the bags he created to support Dress for Success

Insight

Why Student-Led Service Learning Matters

Student-led service learning empowers students to make a difference. By taking ownership of projects, students gain essential skills, empathy, and a deeper connection to their communities, preparing them for future success while fostering lifelong service.

Image of the primary text from the Library of Congress A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Black People, During the Late Awful Calamity in Philadelphia

Civic Learning

Civic Hero Series: America’s 1st Epidemic & The Black Philadelphians Who Answered the Call

This post focuses on the heroic actions of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. These formerly enslaved men organized the Black community to care for the sick and dying, countering false accusations with their own narrative. Their story highlights the importance of civic responsibility and the Black community's role in American democracy.