January 09, 2024
Philanthropy students support nonprofits during the season of giving
By Martha Young
The mission of service to God and neighbor was exemplified when three Providence-area nonprofit organizations received financial support thanks to the efforts of students enrolled in a philanthropy course at Providence College.
Since its inception in 2008, the popular, cross-disciplinary Philanthropy class, offered through the Public and Community Service Studies Program, has helped hundreds of students acquire the basic knowledge and skills of philanthropic work through theoretical and practical experience.
“These are important skills that students will carry with them through their lives in choosing how to wisely contribute to worthy causes, both professionally and personally,” said Rick Battistoni, Ph.D., professor of political science and of public and community service studies.
Students study community needs, the history of and current issues in philanthropy, and the philanthropic process, from developing funding priorities to fund distribution and impact. Together they create a request for proposals, review grant applications, and make decisions about awarding grants to nonprofits that best meet the students’ values and funding priorities. The vetting process also includes site visits to organizations that are short-listed for grants.
In the fall semester, they chose to focus on Providence-area organizations making an impact in the critical areas of youth education, homelessness, and food insecurity. Coincidentally, all three funded organizations have alumni connections.
Leaders from Foster Forward, Onward We Learn, and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT were on hand for the December 4, 2023, awards ceremony in the Ruane Center for the Humanities, where “Making a Difference” awards totaling $50,000 were bestowed. The funds came in part from proceeds from the Dunkin’ on PC’s campus and from a grant from the national Living by Giving Foundation.
Lisa Guillette ’93, executive director of Foster Forward, an organization dedicated to empowering lives impacted by foster care, accepted an award of $20,000 to assist with the “rapid rehousing” of youth living in Rhode Island who have aged out of the foster care system. Guillette, who received her bachelor’s degree in social work from PC, expressed her gratitude for the support Foster Forward is receiving through the philanthropy course.
“I’m in awe that students have an opportunity to participate in real-world philanthropy in such a sophisticated way. I wish this class existed when I was a student,” she said.
Guillette said the funds will be used for her organization’s youth housing program, Your Way Home, which provides supportive services and financial assistance for young people leaving foster care to ensure they have the stability they need to pursue education and employment opportunities during the transition to independence.
Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, a policy and advocacy organization for Rhode Island children, received $20,000. Executive Director Paige Clausius-Parks ’03, who majored in public and community service studies at PC, accepted the award on behalf of her organization. Funds will aid Rhode Island KIDS COUNT in gathering better public safety data and more information on school-based arrests and detentions and work toward policy reform aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline in the state.
“This incredible philanthropy course culminates in students giving real funds to make a real difference for kids and programs in Rhode Island,” Clausius-Parks said.
Onward We Learn (formerly College Crusade of Rhode Island) was awarded $10,000. Academies Director Alessio Pari ’15G accepted the award, which will assist the organization with technology upgrades to academic enrichment resources for students in grades 6-12 who participate in “learning academies” where achievement gaps and learning loss are addressed.
Christina Tonna ’24, from Worcester, Massachusetts, said the course broadened her perspective.
“Before taking this class, I associated philanthropy with giving money, unaware that this was just the tip of the iceberg. To be philanthropic is to give back to society and to the welfare of others through generous actions,” Tonna said.
“I am immensely thankful for this class. I have a newfound responsibility to give back to my community in as many ways as I can in a way that aligns with my values and goals,” she said. “Amidst struggles and challenges, little pockets of hope and optimism are embedded within nonprofits and people who are trying to help, and I think that is a beautiful thing.”
“This was another successful year for the Philanthropy class,” Battistoni said. “It’s a ‘win-win’ program in which students learn valuable skills that are core to PC’s mission and the community is made better through giving.”
