Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project Celebrates 10 Years
The article below highlights a recent ceremony at which the Tenth Anniversary of The Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project at NKU was celebrated. Today, a total of 2,000 alumni of The Mayerson Program have awarded $450,000 to 207 nonprofit agencies in the pursuit of college degrees in law, education, nursing, public policy and many other subjects. Over the next three years, an additional 3,000 students in 162 new philanthropy courses will benefit from the conversation that Neal and Jim had ten years ago.
NKU, Mayerson Celebrate Anniversary With Grants
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Money will be added to the banks of local nonprofits as Northern Kentucky University and the Manuel D. & Rhoda Mayerson Foundation of Cincinnati celebrate their tenth anniversary by creating $13,500 in grants.
Grants ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 will be awarded to 13 nonprofits as NKU’s fall semester ends.
This semester’s gifts bring the amount distributed by NKU students to $452,000. NKU President Dr. James Votruba and Mayerson Foundation President Dr. Neal H. Mayerson conceived of the student philanthropy project NKU launched in fall 2000.
Since the inception of Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, 101 student philanthropy classes have been held at NKU. The classes incorporate the concept of teaching stewardship via a philanthropy experience across disciplines. Courses range from music to history and from elementary education to college writing.
“We are grateful to President Votruba and NKU for their leadership over the past 10 years in making the case for the role of student philanthropy in higher education,” Dr. Mayerson said.
Each participating class is given a sum of money to invest in nonprofits. They then identify and evaluate the nonprofits. Classes can invest the whole sum in a single nonprofit or divide the funds, investing at least $1,000 in each qualifying nonprofit. Professors in NKU’s Mayerson classes use student philanthropy as a teaching tool, connecting the work of finding and evaluating nonprofits to the subjects being taught. Because student philanthropy is taught across a wide range of disciplines, a wide range of nonprofits has been represented in the program.
“Naturally, the funds invested in nonprofits have value just as raw dollars – and our community nonprofits really know how to stretch $1,000,” said Mark Neikirk, director of NKU’s Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, where the student philanthropy project is housed. “But the added value is that students learn about the hard work that staff and volunteers at nonprofits are doing day after day. Our students come away from the Mayerson experience committed for life to community stewardship.”
Dr. Julie Olberding, faculty coordinator of the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, said evaluations indicate that the Mayerson project is having its intended impact on students.
“An overwhelming majority – between 70 percent and 90 percent – report that the Mayerson project increased their awareness of social problems and nonprofit organizations, their belief that they have a responsibility to help others in need and their intentions to volunteer for and donate funds to nonprofits,” Olberding said.
“These students have developed short promotional videos, marketing campaigns, fundraising proposals and volunteer management handbooks,” she said. “And after completing their Mayerson classes, some students have gone on to become interns with these nonprofits and even board members,” she said.
None of the money distributed comes from public funds. The money is donated to the program by community donors.
The fall 2009 Mayerson nonprofit investments include: Campbell County and Kenton County YMCAs, Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, Inc., Family Nurturing Center, Tender Mercies, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, Neediest Kids of All, Crayons to Computers, YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, IKRON Corporation, Freestore Foodbank, Childhood Food Solutions, The Dinsmore Homestead, and The German Heritage Museum/German-American Citizens League.
Donations to the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project are suggested to Development Office, attn: Dan Emsicke, Northern Kentucky University, Administrative Center 221, Highland Heights, KY 41099.
Kentucky Post
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