Funding Projects & Nonprofits: Enroll in University Studies 110
By Kyra Trinh
March 9, 2021
As winter quarter nears its end, the Blum Center prepares for another round of Small Change, Better World, where we provide seed grants for one-time, social projects that address a specific need. In 2020, we funded 14 projects in five different countries with over $30,000 to help communities affected by COVID-19, communities of color, and more.
Typical questions we receive from students include: How exactly do we allocate these funds? Where do the funds come from? What is the application review process like?
Students who are interested in learning more about the process of Small Change, Better World (as well as other grants) are encouraged to enroll in University Studies 110: Philanthropy in the Community, led by Dr. Victoria Lowerson Bredow, whom we interviewed to learn more about the class.
Uni St. 110 is an experiential learning course during which students direct actual funds to local nonprofit organizations in the context of a full-credit undergraduate course. Students will engage in activities at different levels, hearing from guest speakers (including UCI Blum Center Administrative Director Ruth Gyllenhammer!) and applying terms and concepts to real-world funding situations.
This philanthropy education, situated as a form of civic engagement, leadership, and social change, is a collaboration with The Philanthropy Lab and, as of last year, began collaborating with OC Cares. “Through our collaboration with Philanthropy Lab students connect with peers at other institutions across the country, who are participating in a similar course. Because of the partnership with OC Cares, this course connects with local High School Students who are similarly working to learn about philanthropy and social change,” says Lowerson Bredow.
Over the course of the quarter, students:
- compare and contrast academic, practitioner, and community perspectives on philanthropy;
- apply principles of community engagement and community-based methods to experiential learning of philanthropy, and
- contribute to a team effectively and collaboratively to produce and distribute mini-grants.
Students will track back and forth between academic readings and practice-based readings, making connections and building their skill set from the synergy of the two.
“I have learned the importance of giving and understanding the logistics and background works to keep and support nonprofit organizations in a community.”
— Angela Cruz, Uni St. 110 Winter 2019 student
When asked how a student can best prepare for this course, Lowerson Bredow responds with examples from the past: “Students who have been successful treat it like they might a job or internship as it is truly a [work] experience. The community-based approach of this course requires students to be aware of power dynamics, interested in social change, and attentive to communication.” The class will also be asked to bring in and build on their own life and professional experiences for a greater horizon of knowledge.
“[T]he most exciting part is the opportunity to collaborate with students. I love that this course allows students to learn about an issue they care about and give directly to impact that issue. Each year is different because it is a different group of students with different backgrounds, future goals, and interests. The need for philanthropy to adapt is something that is at the heart of the course. For example, last spring the course pivoted to focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and uprising for racial justice, learning and shifting with philanthropy in real time to respond,” says Lowerson Bredow, recalling her favorite part about leading the course.
This year, she plans on taking her community-based approach a step further by having students first listen and learn about Orange County directly from community partners with on-the-ground experience. Last year, she experimented with students and nonprofits collaborating on the funding agreements, shirting way from Request for Proposals to Requests for Partnerships (drawing on Justice Funders model).
“This immediate engagement with the real-world aspect of the course will hopefully make the course more engaging and tangible for students particularly given the virtual format, and in terms of the process they will undertake, it will ground their analysis of the issues in local expertise. I have some great guest speakers who I am so privileged to have come speak to the class about their work in Orange County and philanthropy.”
“Before taking this class, I always thought philanthropy was for people with a lot of resources. But after this course, I realized that anyone can give back, even if it is a small amount.”
— Erinna Thai, Uni St. 110 Winter 2019 student
We are excited to see the societal contributions that Victoria and her class make this quarter! When registering for classes, consider taking Uni St. 110: Philanthropy in the Community.
We would like to thank Victoria for her contributions to this article. All information regarding Uni St. 110 is credited to her.
Victoria is currently the Director of Engaged Scholarship of the Community-based Research Initiative, at the Newkirk Center for Science & Society where she co-directs a graduate student fellowship and workshop series focused on community-based research and research justice.
To learn more about and enroll in Uni St. 110, refer to the flyer above.
To learn more about Small Change, Better World, visit http://blumcenter.uci.edu/smallchange/ and follow us on Instagram.
