FRESNO, CA—The American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project at California State University, Fresno celebrates its fourth year of funding for local community benefit organizations (CBOs) at Students4Giving, a community presentation awarded $9,000 to three local CBOs on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 5:45 p.m. at the Dickey Youth Center (1515 Divisadero St., Fresno, CA 93721).
The American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project, part of the Students4Giving National Initiative of Campus Compact and Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund, announced the granting of funds to three local organizations following a semester-long process and course to encourage students’ community involvement and leadership in philanthropy. California State University, Fresno was one of five academic institutions nationwide selected in 2007 from the 35 campuses that had applied to receive oversight of a $15,000 donor-advised fund to be used for future grant recommendations within its community.
The 27 students enrolled in the Sociology 183 course, “Philanthropy and Grantmaking” at Fresno State, will present Fresno Institute For Urban Leadership, Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival, and Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities each with a check for $3,000 for their efforts.
The chosen finalists were selected from local community benefit organizations that met the strict criteria created by philanthropy students developed at the start of the semester. Students investigated needs within the community to form three boards of trustees. Each board formally researched local CBOs whose missions fit each criteria, conducted interviews, developed requests for proposals and invited organizations to apply for funding.
The $9,000 in grants awarded this year means that the American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project has granted a total of $29,000 to ten organizations over the past four years. Past recipients include: Boys & Girls Club of Fresno County, Encourage Tomorrow, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, Inc., RiverTree Volunteers, Valley Teen Ranch, Fresno Street Saints, and Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. The American Humanics Program, a unique academic program that prepares the next generation of nonprofit leaders, celebrates its 10th anniversary at Fresno State, and will hold its “Decade of Dedication” on August 20, 2010 at Wolf Lakes Park to help raise funds for the continuation of its very successful student Philanthropy Project. This specific project, as well as the program in general, is designed to give students hands-on experience in the process of grantmaking while providing local opportunities for charitable giving.
Fresno Institute For Urban Leadership (FIFUL) will establish a Junior Tutor component to the Wise Old Owl Tutoring Program to create a first employment opportunity for Junior High School and High School students in the community to serve as leaders and role models for younger children in the Lowell Neighborhood.
Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival will provide a special film screening at Fresno’s Tower Theater for outreach to GLBT students, allies, and film students that increases awareness, promotes GLBT acceptance, affirms GLBT students in need, and entertains people with a unique screening that coincides with Fresno Pride Day.
The Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities (CBDIO) will implement “Ve Sakua Escuela para Padres,” a new program in the cities of Fresno and Madera to help indigenous migrants develop their literacy capacities to break the vicious cycle of illiteracy, poverty, and disempowerment. This literacy program will offer weekly classes to 16 indigenous adults to give them the opportunity to acquire basic reading and writing skills and the knowledge on how to become actively involved in their children education.
TXT 24
Twitter
Facebook