Philanthropy and You
PAF 410.7 - #15734: Philanthropy and You
Fall 2013, Wednesdays, 9:30- 12:15
350 Newhouse II
Instructor: Carol Dwyer [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30-11:30, and by appt.
TA: Erin Carhart [email protected], 315.382.1616
Office Hours by appt. only.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Acquire basic skills in managing and distributing donated funds. This will include:
o Forming a council of members to identify goals and priorities
o Identify a giving theme
o Review and establish policies, forms and processes for decision-making and fund
distribution
o Develop procedures for assessing and evaluating grant applications.
o Establish a methodology to determine the governance capacity and sustainability of grant
applicants
 Understand the ethics associated with running a foundation and determining which
organizations will be the best stewards of funds awarded
 Learn how a foundation can be a community change agent
 Recognize the purpose and variance in the nonprofit world
 Study the importance of the board, board/staff roles, and how to identify organizations with
which you would want to contribute funds, volunteer and/or work
TOPICS
• Introduction to philanthropy, foundations and nonprofits
• History of the nonprofit sector
• Foundation creation and management
• Exploring the motives and personal decisions of making financial donations
• Legal framework of nonprofits
• Project monitoring and evaluation
• Student philanthropy
ASSIGNMENTS
When asked to orally present assignments, students will use a power point presentation to
convey information. Post assignments in either the public folder or drop box on the max-filer G
drive (PAF 410-Philanthropy-cdwyer-F13) prior to the start of class. All power point
presentations should include APA citations. Be sure to include a references slide in power point
presentations.
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All assignments requiring research will include a minimum of three sources. Follow the APA
style for citations.
 Use the parenthetical citation within the body of your paper, Example: (Kosslyn, 2007).
 The last page (which does not count toward total pages due) is entitled, References.
Example: Kosslyn, S. (2007). Clear and to the point. New York, NY: Oxford Press.
 Excellent reference information is found on the following websites:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
and http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/students/apa_citation.html
Font used in papers is 12 pt. Times New Roman with one-inch margins. Lines are single-spaced,
one line between paragraphs using the block format.
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Assignments
All papers and power point presentations must be posted on g drive prior to the
start of class except for the final assignment.
Charitable Giving Topic Presentation
 Identify an area of charitable giving that you think represents a critical need
in Onondaga County. Research the need and defend why you think the
foundation should dedicate its resources to this need. Where possible, you
should include local, state and/or national statistics and/or data to support
your position. This will be a power point presentation. (G drive-public folder)
Bylaws
 Review current bylaws and suggest changes for improvement. There are
many web-based templates of bylaws.
Weekly News Articles
 Complete a weekly reflection on a news article that discusses a philanthropic
event. This event can vary from a fundraising opportunity on a college
campus to a significant donation given to an organization by a donor that
made national headlines. Your reflection should be at least one paragraph and
no more than one page. In your reflection, you should identify the following:
1. Location of event
2. Explanation of event
3. Organization(s)
4. Donor(s)
5. Significance (i.e. why it made the news)
6. Article URL or attached copy of article
7. Why you think this is important
 Resources:
o http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=489
and http://philanthropy.com/section/Home/172
 Email to TA before each class
Due Date
Sept. 4
Sept. 4
Sept. 11
Sept. 18
Sept. 25
Oct. 2
Oct. 9
Oct. 16
Nov. 6
Nov. 13
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Philanthropic Research
 Conduct research on an individual/family that has a long history of
philanthropy. Most people involved in philanthropy have websites and
organizations with staff. Some of the information may be on their website; but
you are encouraged to email and/or call to obtain more in-depth information.
You may either write a two-page paper or present a power point on highlights
of your research. Your selection must be pre-approved by Erin. Research
should include:
1. Who
2. What they do
3. Why they are involved in philanthropic activities
4. Funding criteria
5. Any post-funding evaluation they may conduct
(G drive – drop box)
Presentation on Giving in Your State
 Students will present findings on giving in their home state and hometown.
Students will use the Chronicle of Philanthropy Giving Map for this
assignment. Students are welcome to use other resources as well. Send Erin
your hometown/state so we can avoid duplication. Students should identify
the following:
1. Per Household contributions
a. Create a comparative of your hometown, your home state and
national giving
2. Median contributions
3. Comparison of giving across all income levels
4. Some demographic information
 Resources:
o http://philanthropy.com/article/Interactive-How-America-Gives/133709/
(G drive – drop box)
Board of Directors Meeting
 Students will give a short presentation reflecting on their experiences of
attending a board of directors meeting of a local nonprofit or foundation.
Students should identify the following:
1. Number of board members present compared to total members
2. Topics discussed (include an agenda)
3. Describe decision-making process
4. How did their meeting operate
5. Strengths and weaknesses you noticed
6. Content of your interviews with the executive director and a board
member
**A list of Board Meetings to attend will be shared within the first two weeks of
class. Students will help in designing interview questions. (G drive – drop box)
Final Project
 For your final assignment, you should complete a paper or power point that
addresses one of the following:
o Describe the ideal board or board member and why they represent the
exemplar.
o Identify how a foundation can have the greatest impact.
o Other topics are encouraged, but you must have instructor permission.
(G drive – drop box)
Sept. 18
Email
research
proposal to
Erin by
Sept. 4
Oct. 2
Submit info
to Erin by
Sept. 18
Nov. 20
Dec. 11 by
Noon
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COUNCIL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As members of the Council of Young Philanthropists, you will vote on three officer positions (1)
president, (2) vice-president, and (3) secretary. Each position has different responsibilities and
time commitments.
All council members will also participate on committees. The council will determine the specific
committees needed under the direction of the Vice-President. Examples of committees are:
Processing Committee (processing and reviewing grant applications), Public Relations
Committee (designing and creating requests for proposal post card, writing press releases,
writing acceptance and non-acceptance letters, etc.), and an Event Committee (organizing
semester-end awards reception and sending invitations).
Position
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Responsibilities
 Complete an agenda for each meeting (send to TA by 8pm Tuesday)
 Send weekly updates to council members on various tasks that need to
be completed or pre-work council members should complete before
meetings
 Preside over meetings and facilitate conversation amongst council
members
 Assist President in creating agenda
 Offer insight on when tasks should be completed and how
 Handle all committee relations and organization (Processing Committee,
Public Relations Committee, Event Committee)
 Record notes during each meeting, which will include actions required
and deadlines for the actions to be completed
 Send notes to council members within 48 hours after each meeting
 Record edits, changes, or suggestions for grant documents or other
official council documents
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COURSE CALENDAR
Date
8/28
Class Activity/Council Responsibilities
Class Activity
1. Review syllabus
2. Last year’s award recipient and process
3. Nonprofit overview
Council Responsibilities
1. Mission and bylaws
2. Officer roles and elections
9/4
Assignment DUE: NONE
Class Activity
1. Charitable Giving Topic Presentations (everyone will present)
Council Responsibilities
1. Discuss mission and determine topic focus
2. Review application and letter to nonprofits
3. Review and finalize bylaws
4. Elect officers (each candidate will give a short one minute speech on
why they should be elected)
9/11
Guest
Lisa Honan,
Asst. Dean
for
Development
at The
Maxwell
School
9/18
Guest
Melissa
Hidek,
Grant
Coordinator
for PEACE
Assignment DUE: Charitable Giving Topic Presentation
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
2. Prepare Mailing
Council Responsibilities
1. Officers will present their goals for the semester and preside over
their first meeting
2. Discuss how to determine criteria used to select organization to be
funded: need, quality of services, stewardship of donor funds
Assignment DUE: Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Presentations on research of an individual/family Philanthropist
Council Responsibilities
1. Develop a methodology for site visits to organizations, including a
checklist and scoring mechanism
Assignment DUE: Research of individual/family Philanthropist & Weekly
News Article
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9/25
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
2. Crowd Sourcing Presentation and Discussion
Council Responsibilities
1. Finalize methodology for site visits
10/2
Assignment DUE: Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
2. Presentations on Giving in Your State
Council Responsibilities
1. Create a checklist to evaluate 990s
10/9
Guest
Nancy
Turo,
Controller
at PEACE
10/16
Assignment DUE: Giving in Your State & Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
2. Short discussion on how to review 990s
Council Responsibilities
1. Review applications received
2. Establish structure to contact organizations about site visits
3. Establish communication strategy which includes a quality assurance
methodology to ensure that every organization is advised of the final
decision
Assignment DUE: Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
Council Responsibilities
1. Narrow list for site visits
2. Determine method of announcing the award, PR, etc.
10/23
10/30
11/6
Assignment DUE: Weekly News Article
Site Visits – NO CLASS
Site Visits – NO CLASS
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
Council Responsibilities
1. Discuss site visits
2. Select awardee
3. Determine process of notifying selected agency and non-selected
agency
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11/13
Guest
Mary Kate
Hartmann,
ED of
Baltimore
Wood
Nature
Center
11/20
Assignment DUE: Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Weekly News Article Discussion
Council Responsibilities
1. Ceremony logistics
2. Finalize notification of selected agency and other applicants
Assignment DUE: Giving in Your State & Weekly News Article
Class Activity
1. Board Meeting Presentations
Council Responsibilities
1. Awards ceremony logistics follow-up
11/27
12/4
12/11
Assignment DUE: Board Meeting Assignment
No Class – Thanksgiving Break
Awards Ceremony in Founders Room
Final Assignment Due by noon via email
Peer Evaluations/Participation/Attendance
Important to the work that takes place in this class is having the necessary skill level, willingness to work,
active participation in class and follow-through of all responsibilities. This means being on time, meeting
deadlines and sharing the workload. Each student will complete a peer evaluation of those with whom
they have worked. The collective assessment will be given equal weight in determination of the individual
grade for each student.
Cell Phone and Laptop Use
The use of cell phones for texting
or any other purpose is prohibited. Cells phones should
be out of sight. If a cell phone is visible during class, points will be deducted from the student’s grade for
the first infraction. If a second violation occurs, the cell phone will be confiscated for the remainder of the
class. Laptops are permitted as long as the use is class-related. Any uses not relevant to this class,
including viewing unrelated websites, Facebook pages, email, etc., will result in the same penalties
imposed on cell phone usage.
GRADING
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




Charitable Giving Topic Presentation - 10%
Philanthropic Research - 15%
Board Meeting Paper/Presentation - 15%
Giving In Your State – 15%
Weekly News Articles - 10%
Participation - 20%
Final Paper - 15%
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CHEATING/PLAGIARISM
Academic honesty is expected of all students. For individual assignments, students must
hand in their own work. Similarities in wording between individual papers, including a
consistent case of the use of the same sources, may result in a zero for both papers and a
letter to the department chair and to the dean. Any evidence of failure to follow University
guidelines for academic integrity will result in a zero for that assignment. Consult
http://provost.syr.edu/provost/units/academicprograms/academicintegrity/ for more
information. When it is determined to be necessary, authenticity of papers may be verified
using the plagiarism prevention system, Turnitin. Students may also use Turnitin through
Blackboard to confirm that information has been correctly cited. Students must not copy and
paste Internet sources without proper attribution.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
Students who require academic accommodations due to a disability are encouraged to
discuss their needs with the instructor at the beginning of the semester. To obtain authorized
accommodations, students should be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 804
University Ave., Rm. 310; 443-4498; E-mail: [email protected]. Students must provide the
instructor with an updated accommodation letter. Services are not provided retroactively.
They must be requested in advance.
FAITH OBSERVANCES
There has been a change in the campus policy concerning religious observance. If there are
religious observances that are part of your faith tradition, the instructor must be advised
within the first two weeks of the semester for any related absence. Information can be found
at http://supolicies.syr.edu/emp_ben/religious_observance.htm.
Syllabus is subject to Change
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