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The American Humanics Student
Philanthropy Project at California State University, Fresno will
celebrate its third year of local nonprofit funding at Students4Giving,
a community presentation to award $8,000 to two local nonprofit
organizations on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. at the Hinton
Community Center in Fresno (2385 S. Fairview).
The American Humanics Student Philanthropy Project, part of the
Students4Giving National Initiative of Campus Compact and Fidelity®
Charitable Gift Fund, announced the granting of funds to two local
organizations following a semester-long process and course to encourage
students’ community involvement and leadership in philanthropy.
Additional funding is contributed by the Fresno Regional Foundation and
American Humanics, Inc.
Fresno State was one of five academic institutions nationwide selected
in 2007 from the 35 campuses that had applied to receive oversight of a
$15,000 donor-advised fund to be used for future grant recommendations
within its community.
The 26 students enrolled in the Sociology 183 course, “Philanthropy and
Grantmaking” at Fresno State, will present the Central California
Regional Obesity Prevention Program and Fresno Street Saints each with a
check for $4,000 for their local commitment to Valley health and
services to youth, respectively.
The chosen finalists were selected from local nonprofit organizations
that met the strict criteria created by philanthropy students developed
at the start of the semester. Students investigated needs within the
community to form two boards of trustees, including services in health
and youth. Each board formally researched local nonprofits whose
missions fit each criteria, conducted interviews, developed requests for
proposals and invited organizations to apply for funding.
The $8,000 in grants awarded this year means that the American Humanics
Student Philanthropy Project has granted a total of $20,000 to seven
organizations over the past three years. Past recipients include: Boys &
Girls Club of Fresno County, Encourage Tomorrow, Fresno
Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, Inc., RiverTree Volunteers, and
Valley Teen Ranch.
The American Humanics Program, a unique academic program that prepares
the next generation of nonprofit leaders, celebrates its 10th
anniversary at Fresno State, and will hold its “Decade of Dedication” on
Aug. 21 to help raise funds for the continuation of its very successful
student Philanthropy Project. This specific project, as well as the
program in general, is designed to give students the “real world,
hands-on” experience in the process of grantmaking while providing local
opportunities for charitable giving.
The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP) has
become an advocate for new and improved policies throughout the Valley
to make opportunities for healthy food and physical activities choices
more available. Funds granted by students will go toward the purchasing
of refrigerators and equipment to provide fresh produce and healthier
food choices to local communities in need, primarily rural areas without
grocery stores or markets. CCROPP has formed community councils in each
county, bringing together community members, schools, local government,
health care providers and others to fight the obesity epidemic.
Fresno Street Saints aims to cultivate hope back into the streets of
Fresno by restoring the southwest region to a safe and healthy community
through empowered community leadership, social networks, collaborative
partnerships and sustainable, holistic programs. Fresno Street Saints’
vision is to expand gang prevention efforts by “developing a pilot after
school program that enhances existing curriculum and adds wrap-around
programs to after school programs.”
For more information, contact student Laura Hachman at 209.915.7714 or
Radial027@csufresno.edu.
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