Student Philanthropy Program

Established in 2012, The Philanthropy program allows students to study community organizations and the role they play in addressing social issues and to make informed decisions to invest in these organizations.  As participants in the Student Philanthropy Program, students learn the importance of giving, not only of their time and talents but also of giving financial resources to help community organizations meet their goals of helping others.  Students who participate in the philanthropy program, as part of their course requirement, may work with non-profit organizations in the community to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations.  Students in each class are asked to select a deserving non-profit organization to receive a small grant to further its cause.

Goals of Student Philanthropy

To integrate learning experiences that encourage charitable giving and civic engagement into a variety of fields of academic study

COURSES INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM
ENGL 674, Community Literacy English
PAS 206, Introduction to Caribbean Studies Pan African Studies
POLS 495, Diversity Politics and Policy Political Science
SPAD 525, Event Management Class Sports Administration
SPAD 536, Nonprofit Sports Sports Administration
WGST 201, Women in American Culture Women and Gender Studies

 

Quick Facts on the Student Philanthropy Program

Since its inception in Fall 2012:

  • 28 grants have been given out to 21 community organizations
  • A total of $25,500 has been awarded since the programs inception
  • Some of the issues addressed include: Education of teens against dating violence; food literacy program; purchasing books to encourage literacy among children; educational programming; and educate immigrant workers on human trafficking
  • Six classes have incorporated philanthropy into its course contents
  • Hundreds of students have participated in the program

The following organizations have been funded as part of the program:

  • Americana Community Center 
  • Catholic Charities of Louisville 
  • Center for Women and Families 
  • Doors to Hope 
  • Elevate Recreation 
  • Family Scholar House 
  • Gilda’s Club 
  • Girls on the Run
  • Hotel Louisville Resilient Family Program 
  • Iroquois Library 
  • Kentucky Refugees Ministries 
  • Louisville Youth Group 
  • Muhammed Ali Center 
  • Nativity Academy 
  • Neighborhood House 
  • New Directions Housing Corporation 
  • PACT in Action 
  • Southwick Community Center 
  • St. Joseph Children’s Home 
  • Wayside Christian Mission 
  • Women in Transition

 

Follow this link to view the poster presentation (PDF) made at the 2015 CUMU Conference, Omaha, Nebraska by Gary Bernstein, Henry Cunningham, & Lora Haynes