Course Overview

Week 1: What’s Your Passion?
Following an introduction to the world of philanthropy, students identify their own personal areas of social concern using Make A Difference (“MAD”) cards.
Week 2: Who’s Got Team Spirit?
Students are organized into teams based on areas of interest. They build team camaraderie and start creating a team fund-raiser.
Week 3: What’s Your Mission?
Teams develop their own Mission Statements, then start identifying and contacting community organizations they want to screen.
Week 4: Does It All Add Up?
Students learn real-world math and critical thinking skills by locating and evaluating charities’ Form 990 tax returns and other financial information.
Week 5: What’s Beyond the Numbers?
Besides good numbers, what makes an effective charity? Students ask probing questions about the purpose, culture, and leadership of potential recipients.
Week 6: What do Insiders Say?
Students question a panel of non-profit insiders, looking for smart places to donate money. Team fund-raisers are starting to come together.
Week 7: What’s Your Favorite Charity?
Teams learn important lessons about group dynamics and decision-making by reviewing the data they have collected and by proposing charities to receive gifts.
Week 8: Is That Your Final Answer?
After reporting on an interview with a local volunteer and donor, teams make their final determinations as to whom they will give their gifts.
Week 9: Isn’t Giving Fun?
Students and sponsoring donors visit the local charities the teams have chosen and present checks. Recipients express gratitude for the gifts.
Week 10: What Did We Learn?
Students debrief their experience, identify what they learn- ed, and recognize opportunities to make philanthropy and community service a permanent part of their lives.