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Students at Central Connecticut State University completed a different kind of final exam last week as their final class presentations resulted in two grants of $5,000 going to two local nonprofit organizations.
Central’s course, “The Psychology of Giving and Introduction to Philanthropy,” taught the students about the world of non-profits and charitable giving. As their culminating project, the students worked in teams to learn about a specific need in the New Britain community and about a nonprofit organization that is working to address that need. The students spent time engaging with local nonprofits and learning about the people they serve. They then worked on behalf of the agency they selected to develop a grant application to the American Savings Foundation.
On May 7, each team presented their requests to a grant review panel representing the Foundation. As a direct result of the student presentations, the Foundation selected two of the requests, which were each awarded a $5,000 grant.
The panel included members of the American Savings Foundation staff, along with three volunteer members of the Foundation’s Grants Committee. They were José Feliciano, director of grant programs for Chamber Music America and a consultant; Dr. Angela Geddis, a pediatrician and philanthropist; and Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims, an education specialist, researcher, and consultant. All three said they were very impressed with the students’ work.
The two grants awarded were:
• $5,000 to Prudance Crandall Center to purchase furniture, mattresses, and bedding for residents of the agency’s shelter and transitional housing programs. The students noted that the updated furniture will make a meaningful difference in providing trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic abuse.
• $5,000 to Klingberg Family Centers for the Klingberg Family Pantry. The students explained that through Klingberg’s partnership with CT Foodshare, the agency will be able to leverage the grant to provide four to nine months’ worth of food for the pantry, which serves both Klingberg clients and neighbors in the broader community.
Since 2019, Central has offered The Psychology of Giving and Introduction to Philanthropy, supporting community engagement, a key pillar of the institution. Originated by Dr. Richard Judd, the course is currently led by Dr. Beth Merenstein, associate vice president for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning and executive director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research.
Students enrolled in the course explored the roles and responsibilities of the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, while also being challenged outside the classroom. They spent the semester learning about fiscal responsibility, grant writing, understanding community needs, and how the nonprofit sector addresses those needs. Representatives from philanthropic, civic, and community organizations also presented to the class to share their expertise.
Since 2019, American Savings Foundation has awarded $50,000 to local non-profits as a result of student presentations during The Psychology of Giving and Introduction to Philanthropy course.
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