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  5. Annual Report 2023-24

Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project Annual Report 2023-2024

Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project logo
This annual report provides information about the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project at Northern Kentucky University for the academic year that included the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
Classes   By the Numbers   List of Nonprofits   Student Reflections
NKU Chamber Strings prepare to perform.
Dr. Kajsa Larson speaks to attendees.
NKU President Cady Short-Thompson opens the ceremony.
Dr. Jonathan Cullick presents with his class.
Dr. Megan Downing speaks to the crowd.
A student presents an award to the nonprofit Be Concerned.
A student talks about the nonprofit Caracole.
Student speaks about their experience with the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project.
Nick Bliven of Fuel NKU speaks at the podium.
Nonprofit Hands of Hope receives an award.
A student presents an award to the nonprofit Off The List.
Dr. Jose Saavedra Torres speaks to attendees.

"Philanthropy is not just about giving back.  It teaches students to use critical thinking skills and inspires them to get involved in their community," - student participant.

NKU dove headfirst into student philanthropy in 1999 and has offered classes every year since.  The program has become a model, replicated locally and around the nation.

On our own campus, we've opened the program to all colleges, all disciplines and the full range of NKU students, beginning with high school students taking courses for college credit and continuing through graduate school.

More information is available at Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project.

Classes

Research

Webinars

By the Numbers

Fall 2023

Agencies Funded: 22

Classes: 18

Students: 350

Awarded Money: $36,200

Spring 2024

Agencies Funded: 17

Classes: 15

Students: 268

Awarded Money: $34,388

Total

Agencies Funded: 39

Classes: 33

Students: 618

Awarded Money: $70,588

 

Impact

Selected Nonprofits and their Investments:

    Fall 2023    

  • $2,000 to First Step Home
  • $2,000 to Off the List
  • $1,000 to Be Concerned
  • $1,000 to Esperanza
  • $2,000 to Caracole
  • $2,000 to Brighton Center's Street Outreach
  • $3,5000 to Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
  • $1,000 to UpSpring
  • $1,000 to Fuel NKU
  • $2,000 to Maysville Hands of Hope
  • $1,850 to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
  • $1,850 to the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
  • $2,000 to New Life Furniture Bank
 
  • $1,000 plus student fundraising to Campbell County Public Library's Drop Your Drawers program
  • $2,000 to Elementz
  • $2,000 to NorthKey Community Care
  • $2,000 to Campbell County Public Library
  • $2,000 to SOIL
  • $2,000 to Hope Ministries of Northern Kentucky
  • $1,000 to American Legacy Theatre
  • $1,000 to MUSE Cincinnati Women's Choir
  • $2,000 to NKCES Regional Schools Program
  • $2,000 to Ohio Valley Voices

   Spring 2024

  • $2,000 to A Child's Hope International
  • $2,000 to Heartfelt Tidbits
  • $2,000 + student fundraising to Refugee Connect
  • $2,000 to Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
  • $2,000 to All Abilities Sports NKY
  • $2,000 to Faith Community Pharmacy
  • $2,000 to Be Concerned Food Pantry
  • $2,000 to Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
  • $2,000 to CareNET Pregnancy Services of NKY
  • $2,000 to Fuel NKU
  • $4,000 to the ION Center for Violence Prevention
  • $2,000 to the Dragonfly Foundation
  • $2,000 to Lighthouse Youth and Family Services
  • $1,000 to Northern Kentucky Children’s Advocacy Center
  • $1,000 to Project 4 Paws

Student Reflections

"I learned that philanthropy is about giving back to the community. Anyone can be a part of this process. Our organization was created because one person had a desire to make a change, and in seeing her efforts, I learned that this can be any person who sees a need for change and does something to start it."

"It is important to give back in your community not just for those people but for yourself as well. You learn so much about yourself during the process."

"I learned about how leadership is applied in the world, and how I can even be a leader."

"As a result of this course I do plan to get more involved in my community. I am currently looking for volunteer opportunities near me, especially with the holidays approaching. This course has definitely made me value community involvement more."

"I learned how to be a good and confident leader in a group. I learned about how people bring about change and what can motivate them into fighting for change. And I learned why people come together to fight for a common cause."

"Philanthropy is an amazing thing, helping those near you makes such a difference in both yours and their lives. Incorporating it into class work and getting students familiar with the need of helping people really makes a difference in how they view helping around their communities."

"Philanthropy has made me more empathetic, especially being involved in philanthropy itself. It has taught me that optimism and kindness can be done on a mass scale, and if multiple people get involved, many large things can be accomplished."

"One key learning was the shift towards strategic philanthropy, emphasizing measurable outcomes and long-term impact. I gained insights into the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within philanthropic endeavors, recognizing the need for representative decision-making and equitable distribution of resources. Overall, I learned that effective philanthropy requires a holistic approach, integrating innovation, inclusivity, and accountability to drive meaningful change."

"My most valuable takeaway is that I can make a difference, and that we can make a bigger difference together."

 

Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement

Northern Kentucky University
Griffin Hall, Fifth Floor
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099

Phone: (859) 572-1448

E-mail: engage@nku.edu