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Title: Philanthropy (Grades 10-12): Kentucky Country Day School, Louisville, KY

Type: Course

Duration: Semester Course

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Subject Correlation: Social Studies

Summary: Philanthropy, a one semester course that teaches students the value of philanthropy, directs them to establish a fund in an existing foundation and ultimately leads them to award grants using the skills and knowledge gained in class.

Contact:

Mandy Malloy
Kentucky Country Day

School:

Kentucky Country Day

Louisville, KY

Philanthropy


I.    Course description
A.    History
Judith Miller, A Kentucky Country Day parent, wanted KCD students to learn about effective philanthropy by experiencing the responsibility and challenges of making grants.  With the support of a $10,000 grant from the Miller Family Foundation, KCD began a philanthropy class in November 2001.  In an act of great foresight and discipline, the class decided that future classes should benefit from the Miller’s generosity.  The class, naming itself The Artemis Fund, established an advised fund within the Community Foundation of Louisville.  The class, serving as trustees, manages the fund under the bylaws it created in February 2002.

Original Officers elected on February 1, 2002.
Chairman:                      Chase Huneke
Vice Chairman:             Bennett Glassman
Secretary:                      Sowmya Kodali
Treasurer:                      Julie Stevens
Development Officer:    Mollie Ronald
Trustees:                        Duncan Ewing
                                        Kristen Reiss
                                        Seema Sheth
                                        Sarah Smith
                                        Aaron Yarmuth
Instructor:                        Chris Brice

Original Board of Advisors:
Robert Blair
Baylor Landrum
Bruce Maza
Judith Miller
Anne Monell
John Yarmuth

B.    The purpose of the course is to serve the mission of The Artemis Fund.                
Mission Statement:
Serving as a trustee for The Artemis Fund enables students to learn the importance of philanthropy and develop the skills necessary to make it effective.  Through the application of these skills, the trustees of The Artemis Fund support local organizations that encourage the development of youth and the growth of their fundamental values of love, family and respect.  By serving this mission, they seek to strengthen the Greater Louisville Community.

            C.    Goals
i.For the Students
1.Values clarification.
2.Study the philanthropic values of other civilizations and the historical roots of Western philanthropy.
3.Appreciate the interconnections that exist in our lives:  person to person; person to community; grantor to grantee.
4.Stress the importance of individual and organizational integrity.
5.Develop the skills for effective team work:  communication (written and oral); listening; objectivity; tolerance.
6.Develop self-confidence.
ii.For the Fund
1.Assure the Fund’s continuance
a.As a class and functioning public service entity.
b.As a financial entity through the development of a strong and lasting network of grantor/partners.
2.Build relationships with potential grantee/partners.

D.    Although there is some “traditional” style learning, the course is experiential in nature:  Students will learn about philanthropy by serving as trustees for a philanthropic organization.

II.    Course Components
  • Why is philanthropy important?
  • Establish a business plan:
  • Vision, mission, goals, strategies, tactics (incl. budgets and timelines).
  • Raise money.
  • Direct solicitation
  • Events
  • Evaluate and make grants.

III.Evaluation
  • Paper, not to exceed 3 typed, on a current or historical example of philanthropic entrepreneurialism.  What social problem did this individual identify?  What philanthropic endeavor did he/she develop to tackle it?  Did it have an immediate impact? Describe it.  What has been the legacy or rippling effect of this “good work?”  15%
  • A paper, not to exceed 3 typed pages, on success and failure in the charitable world.  Each student will interview a leader of a charity or foundation.  What’s the leader’s motivation?  What have they achieved?  Have they overcome any difficult challenges or just failed in any philanthropic venture?  What have they learned from this experience?  What suggestions do they have for a budding philanthropist?  15%
  • Class participation.  There will be several small readings, activities and assignments throughout the term, in class and for homework. This includes one or two fund raising events and an end-of-term grant making party.  35%
  • Solicitation grade.  1% for each contribution achieved for The Artemis Fund (goal of 4:  2 by phone and 2 by meeting).  Extra credit possible.  Parents and sibs don’t count toward this grade. 3% for relationship management journal.  3% for prospect evaluations.  10%
  • Group grade.  Individual and group successes are inextricably intertwined in this class as they are in life.  The class will be graded on its progress in reaching its goals. 25%.
  • Policy regarding late work:  Assignments are due at the start of class on the prescribed due date.  10% deduction if the deadline is missed and an additional 10% for each 24 hours an assignment is late.

IV.Materials
Daily:  One notebook, with a pocket folder and lined paper; one pen. Laptop.  Other materials upon request.

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Last Modified: 9/5/2008 2:13 PM EST
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