As a primary project for this course, students learn to operate a real foundation, which they call the GW Arc Foundation. This annual course project is funded by the Learning by Giving initiative, which engages students in communicating a Request for Proposals (RFP), evaluating submitted proposals given their own clear criteria, and awarding the funds to a local nonprofit organization. Prof. Michelle Kelso has carefully designed this project as the culminating experience for the Human Services and Social Justice Program. It ties together the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes needed to address complex real-world issues in socially just ways. This course represents the integration and reflection on the key theories, research, practices, issues, and policies addressed throughout the program. Program majors take this course during their last semester in the program.
Throughout the semester, students focus on philanthropy, grant-making, and community-engaged research practices. Students engage in a philanthropy project through community partnerships with nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas.
For information about Community Engaged Scholarship at GW: https://go.gwu.edu/cesc
Semester Reports
Spring 2024
Instructor: Kimberly Aldridge
Students Reporting: 16
Time Reported: 296 hours
Students were divided into teams focused on different aspects of the grantmaking process:
- The Foundation Development team created the Request for Proposals (RFP) and hosted a Q&A session for applicants.
- The Media and Communications team developed the foundation's branding, website, and social media presence.
- The Proposal Review and Evaluation team researched evaluation methods, created rubrics, and reviewed grant applications.
Students engaged in activities such as researching local nonprofits, drafting mission/vision statements, creating evaluation criteria, reviewing proposals, and managing the foundation's communications.
Student Comments:
"I learned how to write an RFP and how important it is to go through every aspect of them for the organization."
"This was a very unique experience as someone who has done mostly direct service. This project put us in the driver seat where we can influence our own outcomes."
"I've learned a lot about the process of evaluating grants, especially when you start from nothing and have to create the rubric to grade the grants in the first place. I've learned about the factors you have to take into consideration and how difficult it is trying to make it as objective, clear, and practical as possible."
"I had the chance to participate on a board for a foundation, learning about the detailed steps of creating every aspect of the mission and vision, writing RFPs, and being a leader in philanthropy."
Fall 2023
Professor: Michelle Kelso
This year, students decided to focus on organizations in the DMV oriented towards reproductive justice. They worked again with the Learning by Giving Foundation to design evaluation procedures and a call for proposals.
Student Quotes:
"This Senior Capstone has allowed me to see what it feels like to be a foundation board member. I became a student philanthropist and organized with my classmates to create a mission we all were passionate about (reproductive justice) to then input that into a grant that will be given to a local Washington, DC nonprofit organization. Overall, giving back to the community through a grant is an incredibly grateful experience."
"I learned so much through this process, especially the value of collaboration and how to write a mission."
"I learned about the fantastic work that so many non profits are doing in the D.C. area to advance reproductive justice and why the framework is important to operate in. Beyond this, I learned how to navigate the challenges of operating as a foundation and granting money."
Spring 2021
Professor: Michelle Kelso
Students Reporting: 20
Times Reported: 304
Community Partner: Learning By Giving
This year, students decided to fund organizations that provide support for individuals experiencing homelessness in the DMV. They raised $1000 in additional funds when one student won a blog contest from LxG. The class ultimately awarded $6000 to New Endeavors by Women and Charlie's Place.
Student Comments
“Learning By Giving enabled our class to get a much greater understanding of philanthropy by creating and running our own foundation: The GW Arc Foundation. This project gave us a peek into the world of philanthropy. More importantly, perhaps, it gave us a greater understanding of the other side of the equation once we go to work for nonprofits and are on the applying side of philanthropy. My role on the communications team allowed me to combine my passions for communication and social justice.”
“Running a foundation was much different than I expected. The process was challenging but was a great learning opportunity. I particularly enjoyed being a part of the evaluation team since I got to learn about tons of incredible organization but also had to push myself to be able to make tough decisions, which provided a lot of growth.”
“The GW Arc Foundation is a result of the partnership between the HSSJ Senior Capstone course and the Learning by Giving Foundation. This partnership gave us the invaluable experience of navigating the grant process from start to finish. This gave me the opportunity to understand the inner workings of the philanthropy sector on a first-hand basis. I was a member of Team 2. We were primarily in charge of writing the Invitation for Proposals, the e-mails informing applicants regarding the decision on their application, and coordinating presentation times with our three finalists. We, also, worked alongside Team 1 to send e-mails to non-profits whose mission and vision aligned with our chosen target issue informing them about the grant.”
“This was an incredibly valuable experience for me and my team members. While it was very challenging, the experience provided a lot of opportunity for growth. I learned a great deal not just about how to evaluate organizations for funding but I also learned applicable information should I ever apply for grants in the future. There were points during the semester that I felt less like I was taking a college course and more like I was working on an assignment for a professional career. I've gained confidence and skills that I believe will aid me in my endeavors post-graduation.”
“We created the GW Arc Foundation in partnership with LxG, where our area of focus this semester has been to support individuals experiencing homelessness in the DMV by providing funding to organizations working to alleviate homelessness and its contributing factors. I have been a part of team one, where we were in charge of developing the foundation's mission, vision, and objectives; liaising between NGOs and the class by creating/handling email correspondences; as well as managing class internal documents and blog assignments. Although it has been a lot of work, I have thoroughly enjoyed furthering my knowledge about foundations in such a hands-on way and am grateful for this unique opportunity.”
