May 28, 2008

The American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project at California State University, Fresno will host Students4Giving, a community event to award a total of $8,000 to two local nonprofit organizations on today (May 13) at 5:30 p.m. in the Fig Garden Financial Center Courtyard (5260 North Palm Avenue).

The American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project at Fresno State is part of the Students4Giving National Initiative of Campus Compact and Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund with additional funding from Fresno Regional Foundation and American Humanics, Inc. This project seeks to inspire young people to increase their involvement with philanthropy. Fresno State was one of five academic institutions nationwide to receive oversight of a $15,000 donor-advised fund to be used for grants to local nonprofit organizations.

The theme of the event, “STUDENTS4GIVING AT FRESNO STATE ARE FORCES FOR GOOD,” underscores the national initiative and the importance and impact of involving students in grant making at the local level. This semester, the 30 students enrolled in Sociology 150T, “Philanthropy and Grantmaking” will award The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County and River Tree Volunteers $4,000 each for their work in our community.

“Students4Giving will feature the selected organizations and demonstrate the relational component of philanthropy -- ‘the giving and sharing of one’s time, talents, and treasure (i.e., money) for the sake of another or for the common good,’” said student Jennifer Mastro, a mass communications/journalism major. “We want to inspire a giving spirit in the community. Come and receive!”

Students began the semester investigating needs in our community, identified three focus areas for funding and formed three boards of trustees (Environment, Women and Girls, Re-entry and Restorative Program). They researched nonprofit organizations meeting those needs, developed a request for proposals, and invited select organizations to apply for funding. Students then evaluated and scored the proposals and oral presentations.
“Not only has this an academic learning experience for us, it’s also a way for us to engage with the community,” said student Geri Yang, a Women’s Studies major.

The $4,000 grant to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County will be used to introduce a new program, “Date SMART” (Skills, Mastery, and Resistance Training), for 60 young women ages 13-18 at two Clubs in the City of Fresno -- the East Fresno Club and the West Fresno Club -- and help participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to establish fun, safe, and mutually-supportive dating relationships by confronting attitudes and behaviors that contribute to abusive relationships.

“Through its written proposal and oral presentation to our board of trustees, The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno demonstrated professionalism and a proven track record that we believe will make for a positive impact on the 60 young women who will participate in Date Smart,” said student Nicholas Montoya, a psychology major.

The $4,000 grant to River Tree Volunteers will be used to purchase three additional canoes which will increase its capacity to expose a greater number of volunteers to the San Joaquin River in order to plant trees and remove trash and debris. The organization regularly cleans along 33 miles of the San Joaquin River between Friant Dam and Skaggs Bridge County Park.

“The San Joaquin River is a vital source of water for our community and the valley wildlife,” said student Kelvin Alfaro, a Sociology and Psychology major. “This program will ensure the preservation of the river for all to enjoy.”

For more information, contact Jennifer Mastro at 559.917.4530 or jennifermastro@csufresno.edu.