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Humanics

Students4Giving

The Humanics Philanthropy Project at Fresno State began in 2007 with an $8,000 seed grant from Fresno Regional Foundation and has flourished to become part of Students4Giving, a national initiative of Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund & Campus Compact.

As part of our course on “Philanthropy & Grant Making” (Sociology 183S) offered each spring semester, this project provides hands-on experiences in philanthropy and leadership by allowing students to develop contacts with community benefit organizations, assess community needs, and learn how to request & evaluate funding proposals.

More than 320 students have awarded $131,000 to 32 different organizations from 2007-2017 (see below for this listing), promoting “SPIRIT, MIND, & BODY” while preparing for leadership in service to humanity.  Through the companion course, “Grant Writing & Evaluation” (Sociology 184S), our students also evaluate the impact of the grants they previously awarded & learn about the importance of good stewardship.

The project is part of the national Students4Giving Initiative of Campus Compact and Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund with significant financial support from Whitney Foundation, Fresno Regional Foundation, Geil Family Fund, Philip T. Manoogian Philanthropic Fund, Kennel Bookstore, & individual donors.

The Grantees

2017:

SPIRIT:  Focus Forward ($5000):  To support Focus Forward’s new Youth Advocacy Leadership Team by providing intensive training, helping youth increase their advocacy skills, develop a policy vision, and engage in advocacy over the next year.

MIND:  Art of Life Cancer Foundation ($5000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant):  To facilitate professional development and training for the board of directors and staff, including developing a board handbook, board orientation, and a strategic plan, in transition from a founding board to a governance board.

BODY:  Poverello House ($5000):  To obtain volunteer management software, hold a 2-hour volunteer training, provide new marketing materials to recruit volunteers, implement a volunteer ID-badge system for tracking, and put on the organization’s first volunteer recognition event in Fall 2017.

2016:

SPIRIT:  Ronald McDonald House Charities of The Central Valley ($5000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant):  To start the “Happy Wheels Cart Program” that will circulate through Valley Children’s Hospital with snacks and activity books and inform families of the services of Ronald McDonald House.

MIND:  Warnors Center for the Performing Arts ($5000):  To facilitate professional development and training for its board of directors and staff to support the organization’s continued growth.

BODY:  Lowell Community Development Corporation ($5000):  To provide workshops on tenants’ rights and responsibilities and safe and healthy housing.

2015:

SPIRIT:  Fresno Metro Ministry ($5000):  To create and pilot a toolkit incorporating design thinking and participatory planning exercises with 40 neighborhood leaders to develop the constituency needed to advocate for investment in existing neighborhoods and mixed-use development on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno.

MIND:  Care Fresno ($5000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant):  To enhance its after-school, summer, and mentoring enrichment programs at 4 community learning centers within apartment complexes identified by Fresno Police Department.

BODY:  Kings Tulare Homeless Alliance ($5000):  To support its Housing Priortization Initiative and implement a Vulnerability Index within Kings and Tulare Counties to determine the chronic and medical vulnerability of individuals who are homeless and allow the bi-county region to allocate scarce resources in a logical, targeted manner.

2014:

SPIRIT:  Good Neighbor Center ($8000):  To enhance its data collection, registration, and reporting technology in order to serve more individuals and provide additional protein to families in Pinedale ($6000), including the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($2000).

MIND:  Fresno Arts Council ($8000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant):  To train 6 local artists in classroom management, lesson plan development, common core, visual and performing arts standards and initially provide access and equity to arts education in six Fresno Unified elementary schools ($6000), including the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($2000).

BODY:  GRID Alternatives-Central Valley ($8000):  To install solar systems on three qualifying Single Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH), saving families up to 80% on their electrical utility bills, providing hands-on installation experience to Fresno State construction management students, and helping to improve local air quality ($6000), including the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($2000).

2013:

SPIRIT:  Fresno Rescue Mission ($4000):  To support the development and implementation of Volunteer and Case Management Software, including a mobile app ($3000) and the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($1000)

MIND:  Foundation for Fresno County Public Library ($4000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant):  To support Downtown Fresno Branch Summer Reading and Meals Program ($3000) and the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($1000).

BODY:  Off The Front ($4000):  To support the Earn a Bike Program ($3000) and the placement of a Humanics Intern to assist with implementation and evaluation ($1000).

2012:

SPIRIT:  Wesley United Methodist Church of Fresno ($3000): Provided support for the Creative Arts Academy, a 5 day summer enrichment program for middle school students from El Dorado Park.

MIND:  Rotary Storyland of Fresno ($3000): To enhance the Summer Literacy Education program held every Saturday at Storyland from June 16 through August 12, 2012.

BODY:  Break The Barriers (BTB) ($3000 Philip T. Manoogian Memorial Grant): Provided for summer assemblies in SE & SW FUSD Schools and field trips to BTB.

Humanics Students4Giving Philanthropy Project

humans group

group of students

Funding for Humanics