Philanthropic Leadership
Philanthropic Leadership
Philanthropic Leadership teaches students to focus on the community around them. Your contribution will help more students learn to:
- Identify the social issues that matter most
- Address these issues strategically, with the intention to do the greatest good
The course teaches students to:
- Articulate giving motivations, define criteria for giving, and set contribution commitments
- Reflect critically on the purpose of philanthropy and non-profit organizations in society
- Compare types of non-profit boards and board governance
- Understand the expectations of board members
- Conduct due diligence on organizational need and impact
As a part of their immersive, engaged learning experience, students make real and meaningful grants to Tompkins County nonprofit organizations. Funding for these grants comes from our partner organization, The Philanthropy Lab, and gifts from donors like you! The total amount of funding available depends on course enrollment, an incentive structure, and fundraising. With an enrollment of 39 students in the course and with full participation by the students in the course incentive structure, the class should have $60,000 to donate within Tompkins County this year.
The class guideposts for giving are (1) All grant recipients must be 501(c)3 organizations working in Tompkins County, NY, with at least two years of activity; (2) 20% of our total grant amount will be split evenly among the nonprofits with whom the class conducts site visits (see pic above) or otherwise substantially supported our learning in the course; (3) grants will be for general operating support.
The class culminates in a Giving Ceremony in which the class celebrates the work of its grantee organizations. The class earns $500 per student from The Philanthropy Lab in incentive funding if Cornell's president attends. Last year, President Michael I. Kotlikoff attended and he is planning to do so again this year.
Donors are invited to join us for the 2025 Giving Ceremony on Thursday, December 4, from 5–6:00 p.m.
$10
Empower student participation
Empower one student’s participation in a giving challenge at the beginning of the semester—turning generosity into action.
$20
Support a semester of giving
Empower one student’s giving challenge participation throughout the entire semester.
$50
Support community engagement
Support one student as they meaningfully engage with the community through a site visit.
$70
A full semester experience
Support one student’s full semester class experience, including two $10 giving challenges and one site visit.
$100
Real-world insights
Enable the course to bring in guest lecturers who provide students with real-world insights into philanthropy and board governance.
$250
Board practicum
Your gift of $250 empowers students to research a social issue impacting the Tompkins County community and make a grant to organizations addressing it.
$500
Board practicum x 2
Your gift of $500 empowers students to research a social issue impacting the Tompkins County community and make a grant to organizations addressing it.
$1,000
Amplify impact
Your gift of $1,000 increases the size and/or number of grants students are able to make to non-profit organizations in Tompkins County.