Abstract
Psychology, as a scientific discipline, has built much of the foundation for child and adolescent development, health, and education. This article outlines the approach taken through philanthropy in this field during Beatrix Hamburg's presidency of the W. T. Grant Foundation and David Hamburg's presidency of the Carnegie Corporation. Efforts are described to advance the nation's understanding of child and adolescent development and to foster positive outcomes for children and youth in the face of drastic changes in the American family and society. These organizations utilized grants for research and innovation, as well as the sponsorship of special study groups making practical recommendations based on excellent working models and solid data. Beatrix Hamburg and David Hamburg, award recipients for Distinguished Contributions to Advocacy for Children Award from the Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services of the American Psychological Association, believe that psychology can help fulfill the promise of children's early years if American society has the vision and the decency to invest responsibly in all children and thereby in the future of humanity.