A management class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business is accepting applications from local nonprofit organizations to award up to $10,000. Students in the course call the hands-on experience with philanthropy Strive to Thrive Lincoln, and this semester they selected to focus on nonprofits which support disadvantaged families to attain sustainable, positive change.
The senior-level class, Leading People and Projects (Management 411), provides a funding opportunity empowering organizations to make a positive difference in the Lincoln community as students gather knowledge of philanthropy through working with nonprofit organizations. Under the guidance of Dr. Amber Messersmith, the class learns how to initiate a funding process, create a grant application, evaluate applications and make decisions on providing grants for community betterment.
A recent gift by Rhonda Seacrest enabled the college to offer the course twice a year. The Learning by Giving Foundation, which funded the course since the philanthropy project began more than five years ago, also provides partial funding.
Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, said, “This course is integral in our curriculum as it teaches our students the role of nonprofits in a community and the importance of giving back, and the number of students taking this course continues to grow.”
Previous Strive to Thrive Lincoln students brainstorm ideas for their class funding goals.
The class's effort specifically seeks to grant funds to organizations that empower disadvantaged families in Lincoln and/or Lancaster County, with special consideration given to those serving youth.
Local nonprofit organizations can apply by Friday, October 5 at 5 p.m. for awards of a minimum of $2,000 or up to $10,000. Organizations must have 501(c)3 status and propose a project consistent with the organization’s mission and within the mission of Strive to Thrive Lincoln. Within the application, organizations must provide their most recent Form 990 and IRS letter, submit a spreadsheet outlining their organizational and project budgets, give brief descriptions of their organization and its relevant achievements, and outline the proposed project along with how it aligns with their mission and goals.
Grant recipients will be announced at a public reception to be held Wednesday, November 28. For more information about Strive to Thrive Lincoln, visit:
https://business.unl.edu/strivetothrive.
Published: September 17, 2018