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Management Students Learn the Art of Giving

Management students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration are learning how philanthropy works in their community by involving themselves directly in fund raising. The Leading People and Projects class (MGMT 411/811) taught by Dr. Colleen Jones, associate professor of practice in management, is accepting proposals from local nonprofits to receive as much as $10,000 in funding from the Learning by Giving Foundation.
 
“This program gives students the opportunity to learn about their community, their community needs and how to use financial resources to meet those community needs,” Jones said. “We’re using the board of directors granting model where students have developed an RFP they have floated on the street for worthwhile projects. Students then use financial management, accounting and leadership skills to decipher the best proposal.”
 
The money must be given to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and the minimum amount to any one proposal must be at least $2,000, meaning up to five projects could potentially be funded.
 
Jones is using a project management platform to divide tasks that students perform to facilitate the granting process.
 
“Students developed a mission, decided on the project name and logo, created a website and the contact numbers,” she said. “They also set up the evaluation criteria for determining which projects are most deserving of the grant money.”
 
Terrance Ross

Senior Terrance Ross talks about his experience with class project

Students are using a decision making platform called Technology Participation to help figure out what makes a proposal worthy of funding. Once proposals are received students will conduct on-site interviews to find out more about the proposals and then determine the recipients.
 
“We also have a sub-committee in class that’s planning a public celebration because that’s a required part of the funding process. It teaches students an important part of what’s involved when you’re working with the public,” Jones said.
 
Applications are due on Oct. 24 and are available at http://www.projectimpactlincoln.com. The proposal can also be submitted at rfp@projectimpactlincoln.com. For more information, contact the class at the same email address.
Published: October 16, 2014