Students in the fall semester Philanthropy and Leadership (MNGT 411) course at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business awarded $10,000 in grants through the Strive to Thrive Lincoln project to two nonprofits addressing basic human needs: the Lincoln Hygiene Network and Community Action’s Gathering Place.
The student-led project, initiated in 2015, aims to educate students about philanthropy and nonprofit leadership while cultivating lifelong civic engagement. Students learned how philanthropy can create community impact by evaluating nonprofit organizations, conducting site visits, volunteering and deliberating how to allocate the grant funds. This semester, students focused on basic needs, including food, clothing, hygiene items and safe places to sleep.
Amber Messersmith, lecturer in management and instructor for the course, said the focus on essentials reflected a persistent challenge in the community.
"I chose this focus because, sadly, the need is always present,” Messersmith said. “Once a person’s basic needs are met consistently, they can move beyond surviving to thriving. I also knew that volunteering at Project Connect would give students a powerful, firsthand perspective on the real challenges people face and the meaningful support local organizations provide.”
Project Connect is an annual event held at Pinnacle Bank Arena, bringing together dozens of service providers for individuals experiencing homelessness or instability. Class members served as navigators and assisted guests with accessing services, childcare, transportation barriers and paperwork.
“Members of our class were paired with guests and began with a conversation to determine their goals for the day,” Messersmith said. “Then, they walked together through the arena to locate the services needed. Students flexibly stepped up to do whatever was required—carrying belongings, entertaining children and listening to guests who wanted to share their stories.”
That hands-on service helped students connect personally with the issue.
“I spent the day helping a young man who wasn’t much older than I am, guiding him to different resources, from employment booths to getting a haircut,” said Aubree Liss, junior marketing major from Waterloo, Nebraska. “At the end of his visit, he was asked to write down the nonprofit or service that was most helpful to him, and he wrote down my name. That moment reminded me how personal our service really is, and how even small acts matter and can stay with someone.”
Ava Jacobsen, a senior Hospitality restaurant and tourism management major from Andover, Kansas, explained that Rhonda Seacrest, the notable Lincoln philanthropist who funds the grants the class awards, made a statement during a visit with the class that shaped the students’ decision-making throughout the semester.
“She told us that nothing else matters if you are hungry,” Jacobsen said. “Serving at the Center for People showed me how many families rely on basic food support. As someone not from Nebraska, I gained a much deeper appreciation for how Nebraskans take care of one another. This class changed the way I view service, generosity and human dignity.”
Throughout the semester, students visited and volunteered with 12 nonprofit organizations focused on basic human needs, including: Center for People, Catholic Social Services, Community Action’s Gathering Place, Family Service Lincoln: Community Crops, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, Salvation Army, Barnabas Community, Fitting Futures, Foster Care Closet, Lincoln Hygiene Network, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and We Can Do This. Their firsthand experiences helped them gain a deeper understanding of the challenges nonprofits face.
At the grant ceremony, representatives from each selected nonprofit shared how the funding will support their work.
Dustin Oltman, who leads the Lincoln Hygiene Network, said the $5,000 grant will help provide hygiene products that families often cannot purchase with assistance programs.
“We rely heavily on volunteers,” Oltman said. “The work this class has done is tremendous. Over the past several weeks, we have seen a spike in need, and this support helps ensure our partner organizations can keep serving people without worrying about these items.”
Community Action’s Gathering Place, which provides warm meals daily to individuals and families, received the second $5,000 grant. With support from the nonprofit's matching donors, the gift will be doubled to $10,000. Program Administrator Lisa Janssen said the class was curious and respectful during their service visits.
“I absolutely loved having you at the Gathering Place,” Janssen said. “The enthusiasm you brought was evident. We have been serving more people for a very long time, and this support helps us continue to make sure no one in our community goes hungry.”
Students said the class broadened their understanding of community needs and the role future business leaders can play in addressing them.
“Serving at Project Connect and visiting nonprofits gave us a front-row seat to what supporting a community really looks like,” Liss said. “This experience will influence how we serve and give moving forward.”
Since 2015, Strive to Thrive Lincoln has awarded more than $180,000 to local nonprofits. Currently funded by Seacrest, the course's grants require additional support to continue offering hands-on experiences that provide valuable service and leadership opportunities for students. Gifts made to the Strive to Thrive Lincoln Excellence Fund directly fund each semester’s grant award.
