Community Outreach

Students engage in hands-on philanthropy, grant-making and community service.  The project focuses on three needs areas:  children and youth programs; neighborhood development and revitalization; and hunger, homelessness, and health issues. Students are responsible for developing an RFP (Request for Funding Proposal), preparing the grant proposal, and engaging in a group decision-making process to award the funds.  Each class receives $4,500 to distribute.

During Spring Semester 2011, 53 students in three courses - Psychology 261 Child Maltreatment: Causes and Consequences, taught by Dr. Lisa Green, and Sociology 303 Urban and Community Life, taught by Dr. Carol Gregory, and English 308: Grant Writing co-taught by Dr. Susan Oldrieve and Annie Heidersbach provided over 1,000 hours of service hours and awarded $13,500 to eight nonprofit organizations - Art House, Bellfaire JCB, Bellflower Center for Prevention of Child Abuse, Berea Community Development Corporation, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Malachi House, Slavic Village Development and University Settlement.

During Spring Semester 2012, the same three courses were part of the program.  58 students provided over 850 hours of service to 14 organizations and awarded $6,000 in grant funds.

In our three year cycle, 148 students provided over 2,350 hours of service to 17 organizations and awarded $28,500 in grant funds.

The project is sponsored by the Ohio Campus Compact and is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)/Learn and Serve America Higher Education. In year three, additional funds were provided by the David Brain Leadership Program. 

PROJECT GOALS

• Award charitable dollars to worthy non-profit organizations with strong proposals that address immediate economic needs.
• Build stronger communities through a skill based volunteer force that contributes both hours served (15 per student) and financial resources ($4,500 per course).
• Provide students with the intellectual knowledge and practical experiences needed to manage philanthropic funding, including skills such as conducting needs assessments, establishing funding criteria, researching local nonprofits, interviewing community members, and developing writing, decision-making, accounting, and evaluation skills.
• Engage students and faculty with local communities in order to promote understanding and connectedness.
• Serve as a model for passing along the practice and knowledge of philanthropy and volunteerism.

For additional information, contact Mila P. Cooper, Director of Community Outreach & Campus Program Coordinator at mcooper@bw.edu or (440) 826-2301.