Service-Learning Initiative

The Ohio State University received two Learn and Serve America/Pay it Forward mini-grant awards for the 2010-2011 academic year from Ohio Campus Compact, Kentucky Campus Compact, and Michigan Campus Compact. The grants were awarded to the Nursing 807/808/809 (Au, Wi, Sp; 2010-2011) and Business Administration 502H (Au, Wi, Sp; 2010-2011) student philanthropy service-learning courses. Through the grants, students develop and disseminate a Request For Proposals (RFP), review proposals submitted by community agencies, and select a proposal for a philanthropic $4,500 funding award.

The Nursing 807, 808, and 809 classes will integrate student philanthropy through clinical and classroom learning as they focus on core competency areas of nursing leadership, strategies for decision making, program planning, program financial management, evaluation, and professional commitment to social justice. Potential service activities include prioritizing at-risk populations and community needs; developing an RFP for an identified area of risk or need in the community; meeting with agency representatives to address applicants’ inquiries; meeting with selected agency/agencies to discuss implementation; and participating in evaluation of the funded project(s).

The Business Administration 502H courses focus on business enrichment by developing leadership, presentation, and team building skills through experiential learning, case studies, research, and service-learning with themes of corporate social responsibility and ethics. Integration of student philanthropy occurs through the involvement of business and community leaders and organizations. Throughout the year, the students will learn about the needs of children and youth in our community through research, guest speakers, on-site visits, and volunteer activities with a focus on business and corporate social responsibility. The students will be provided opportunities to become individual donors and active volunteers.

This is the second year Ohio State has received this Pay it Forward mini grant. Last year the grant was awarded for the Nursing 511S: Community Care of Vulnerable Populations course during the Winter 2010, Spring 2010, and Autumn 2010 offerings. Taking lessons from this previously funded Pay it Forward course, the model of student philanthropy has changed. Now students are part of one cohort across a three-quarter course sequence instead of having a different group of students involved in each class. In each of the nursing and business administration projects, one cohort of students will gain the knowledge and 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 over one academic year.

Partners in the Pay it Forward award include Rosemary Chaudry, associate professor of clinical nursing and the College of Nursing faculty for Nursing 511S; Nancy K. Lahmers, JD, senior lecturer, Fisher College of Business; Mindy Wright, assistant provost, Office of Academic Affairs; Bethany Christoff, program coordinator, Service-Learning Initiative; Lauren Seligman, director of development, Office of Academic Affairs; and Joyce Ray, manager, PowerPhilanthropy® and Knowledge Management, The Columbus Foundation.

The Pay it Forward grant for student philanthropy helps students learn how to be engaged citizens and to understand the important role philanthropy plays in our communities, our nation, and the world. For more information about the grant, go to http://www.ohiocampuscompact.org/page.cfm?ID=181.