Commerce students in philanthropy course grant $20,000 to local charities

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Philanthropycourse08.jpg” caption=”Instructor Maria Antonakos discusses writing a Request for Proposals with Commerce students in DeGroote’s new strategic philanthropy class. Photo by Julia Thomson. “]What would you do if someone gave you $20,000 and told you to give it away to someone else? Who would you give it to? How would you decide?

These are questions that a group of undergraduate students had to ask themselves in an innovative new course at the DeGroote School of Business. Eventually, they came to an answer when they awarded three grants to North Hamilton Community Health Centre Children's Gardening Program, the YWCA Girls Zone Healthy Living Program, and Settlement and Integration Services Organizations Family Literacy and peer mentorships.

Seeded by a $10,000 gift by Doris Buffett (sister to Warren Buffett) that was matched by Canadian philanthropists, business partners and friends Michael Lee-Chin, Jeff Wheeler and Robert Levis of AIC, these students received a hands-on introduction to philanthropy over the course Commerce 4MG3 Strategic Philanthropy and Leadership.

“Philanthropy and the volunteer sector are an integral part of today's society,” explains instructor Maria Antonakos of Opus Philanthropy. “The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the concept of philanthropy. We want to prepare them to make good investments for social, economic and environmental change, whether they do this personally or as a member of a corporate social responsibility team.”

A focal point of the class was a group assignment where students designed a Request for Proposals, screened applications and awarded grants from the $20,000 fund to eligible Hamilton charities. In determining the recipients of the grants, the students were looking for programs that addressed youth at risk, built resiliency and were innovative. They also wanted to have impact on making the programs possible.

Fourth year commerce student Katie Baker explains, “This course fits with what we're learning in Commerce. I can apply the skills that I'm learning-accounting, marketing, finance-to be more effective. It utilizes the skills we're learning, but goes beyond.”

Adds Nelisha Mudde, another fourth year student, “I signed up for this course, because I've never seen anything like this before. Even though I'm still young, I'd like to find a way to give back now, and I'd like to find the most strategic way to do that and the way I can make the most impact. This course is broadening my skills beyond the bottom line.”