UW-Green Bay’s philanthropy class announces Casa ALBA Melanie as $10,000 grant recipient

Green Bay, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Strategic Philanthropy Class announced today (May, 1, 2019) that Casa ALBA Melanie would be the recipient of a $10,000 grant. The funds for this award were granted by The Learning by Giving Foundation, founded by Doris Buffett.

“Leaders of Casa ALBA Melanie are deeply grateful to receive this grant from the Learning by Giving Foundation,” said Sister Melanie Maczka, executive director of Casa ALBA Melanie. “We are impressed with the detailed preparation and critical evaluation of the students. This grant will empower Latino leaders to work hand-in-hand with the Brown County Health Department, the Birth to 3 program, Escuelita and Angeles programs to enable families to access screening, resources and education to enhance their development.”

The UW-Green Bay class, “Strategic Philanthropy: Civic Engagement Through Giving,” is a hands-on approach to help college students develop commitment to, and engagement in, the community. Classmates agree on a cause, and then go through a process of vetting nonprofit organizations that address that cause, making site visits and selecting a recipient. “The students learn how to act on their values to make a positive impact,” said Associate Professor Lora Warner, teacher of the course. The course is the only one of its kind in Wisconsin and is being offered for the seventh time.

The class chose to address the issue of holistic childhood wellness after conducting community research in the Green Bay area. They selected the organizations Wello and Casa ALBA Melanie as finalists. UW-Green Bay students toured the sites of each to learn about each proposed use of the funding. Wello collaborates with local schools and organizations to implement mindfulness into the classroom. The organization is working on expanding the program into Green Bay area elementary schools. Casa ALBA Melanie is a resource for information and referrals for the Hispanic population in the greater Green Bay area. Casa ALBA Melanie proposed two main activities: increase health screening outreach to families in partnership with the Brown County Health Department and expansion of its early childhood program, Escuelita, which serves three- and four-year-olds and their parents.

Student Clare Martell said the class has changed her outlook. “This class has given me more information on how to give wisely and different viewpoints on philanthropy,” she said. “One of the most impactful things that I learned from this class is how to analyze to make sure your personal donation is having the greatest impact.”

In their research, students chose three community issues of concern: depression and anxiety among youth, segregation and race relations in Green Bay, and childhood obesity. In discussions about how to focus their giving, it became clear that the three topics were related to one core issue: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). Children from diverse households have a higher risk of ACES. Having adverse experiences in one’s life contribute to anxiety and depression as well as obesity and other health issues. UW-Green Bay students felt if they could work “upstream,” by funding a program that helps children have healthy development, they might address the root cause of these other problems. After interviewing and visiting, students chose to award the $10,000 grant to Casa ALBA Melanie.

UW-Green Bay student Chase Hyland (Political Science and Public Administration) posts about the tremendous impact of childhood experiences on overall well-being. “Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) correlate with lasting effects on health, behavior, and life potential,” he writes. See his blog post or go to the class Facebook page.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs to nearly 8,000 students with campus locations in Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc and Sheboygan. Established in 1965 on the border of Green Bay, the University and its campuses are centers of cultural enrichment, innovation and learning. The Green Bay campus is home to one of the Midwest’s most prolific performing arts centers, a nationally recognized 4,000-seat student recreation center, D-I athletics, an award-winning nine-hole golf course and a five-mile recreational trail and arboretum, which is free and open to the public. This four-campus University transforms lives and communities through student-focused teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, powerful connections and a problem-solving approach to education. UW-Green Bay’s main campus is centrally located, close to both the Door County resort area and the dynamic economies of Northeast Wisconsin, the Fox Valley region and the I-43 corridor. UW-Green Bay offers in-demand programs in science, engineering and technology; business; health, education and social welfare; and arts, humanities and social sciences. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

Click to advance slideshow or view the album on Flickr.

Strategic Philanthropy Presentation 2019

– Photos by Daniel Moore, Marketing and University Communications

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Strategic Philanthropy

Strategic Philanthropy class to award $10,000 grant to local agency

On Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 4 p.m. in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall Winter Garden, Associate Prof. Lora Warner’s “Strategic Philanthropy: Civic Engagement Through Giving” class will award a $10,000 grant to a local organization working to enhance overall wellness of young children. It’s the seventh year of the student-led class and $75,000 will have been awarded to community organizations through the years. Funding is provided by the Boston-based Learning by Giving, a Buffett family foundation.

“Students learn philanthropy, but also how to be active citizens,” say Warner. “They learn how to act on their values to make a positive impact.” The course is the only one of its kind in Wisconsin. It offers a hands-on approach to help college students develop commitment to and engagement in the community while bringing external funding to local organizations. The event is open to the public.

Click to advance slideshow or view the album on Flickr.

Strategic Philanthropy Presentation 2019

– Photos by Daniel Moore, Marketing and University Communications

Philanthropy class $10,000 grant award announcement on Wednesday, May 1

UW-Green Bay’s 2019 Strategic Philanthropy class will award $10,000 to an organization of their choice. The grant award announcement will take place on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 4 p.m. in the Winter Garden in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall (MAC). Under the direction of Associate Prof. Lora Warner (Public and Environmental Affairs), the class conducted site visits and interviews with finalist nonprofit organizations. They hope to make a donation to an organization that has a holistic focus on the well-being of young children who experience adverse circumstances. This event is free and open to the public.

Sexual Assault Center awarded $10,000 grant by UW-Green Bay students

Green Bay, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Strategic Philanthropy class awarded $10,000 on April 30, 2018 to the Sexual Assault Center run by Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. Over the past six years, the class has awarded $65,000 to local organizations dedicated to an important need in the Brown County area.

Each year, these funds are made possible by a grant from the Learning by Giving Foundation founded by Doris Buffet. Family Services created what UW-Green Bay students believe to be the best proposal to provide education about how to recognize and prevent human trafficking, particularly for individuals at risk of becoming trafficked and/or those who encounter or know them.

Check Presentation-1“We chose to address the issue of human trafficking because we were disturbed by the growth of the crime in our area and by how easily a young person might fall victim to a trafficking predator,” said Mag Alef, a student in the class.

Green Bay, with major interstates and thousands of weekend visitors for football games and concerts, has become a region that attracts trafficking activities. Experts have identified a triangle of high trafficking activity via interstate highways between Chicago, Green Bay, and Minneapolis.

Students were inspired by the knowledge and passion of the staff members at Family Services and are enthusiastic about their proposal to increase community awareness about trafficking activities, provide targeted education for those most vulnerable to becoming victims and increase advocacy services to help suspected victims and survivors of trafficking. The class also congratulates two other local finalists — the Green Bay Area Public Schools and Eye Heart World.

“Students in this class learn how to apply their time and talent strategically to community issues,” says Prof. Lora Warner, who teaches the Strategic Philanthropy class. “They research needs by analyzing LIFE Study data, look for effective nonprofits in that field and promote a cause they care about. Not only did students learn ways to give; they learned a great deal about the growing problem of human trafficking and how awareness and education may help prevent further victimization.”

Throughout the semester, UW-Green Bay students investigated other topics such as suicide prevention, teen pregnancy/sex education and early childhood learning. They developed a request for proposal, reviewed proposed projects and visited three area organizations. Students voted the Sexual Assault Center program as this year’s recipient.

Strategic Philanthropy student, Logan Laskowski, has written an essay on trafficking in our region. Read about students’ experiences in the class on the UWGB students’ blog: https://uwgbsp18.blogspot.com/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uwgbstrategicphilanthropy.

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UW-Green Bay’s strategic philanthropy class seeks proposals for $10,000 grant, deadline for submission is April 2

Seeking creative strategies to educate community members about human trafficking

Green Bay, WI – Students in the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s 2018 Strategic Philanthropy course will award $10,000 to an organization of their choice. Students are encouraging proposals for creative strategies that educate community members about the problem of human trafficking. The funds are granted by The Learning by Giving Foundation, an organization founded by Doris Buffett.

The class issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 10, 2018 for proposals to provide education about how to recognize and prevent human trafficking to individuals at risk of becoming trafficked and/or those who encounter or know them (such as teachers, group home staff, hotel staff, parents, guardians, etc.). Areas of education may include, but are not limited to:

  • Understanding the scope/nature of the issue
  • Recognizing trafficking activities
  • Identifying potential victims
  • Responding to suspected trafficking
  • Preventing future victimization

Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2018. The RFP is available at https://uwgbsp18.blogspot.com/. Submit proposals by e-mail to UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Lora Warner at warnerl@uwgb.edu.

The class chose to address the issue of human trafficking after community research revealed the disturbing growth of the crime in Northeastern Wisconsin. Green Bay, with major interstates, attractiveness to tourists, and thousands of weekend visitors for football games and concerts, has become a region that attracts trafficking activities. The victims of human trafficking are usually females between the ages of 13 and 17. Experts have identified a triangle of high-trafficking activity via interstate highways between Chicago, Green Bay and Minneapolis.

“We decided to give the money to the cause that is mostly unknown or hidden in our area,” said Garrett Serna, a UW-Green Bay student who researched this need. The course, Strategic Philanthropy: Civic Engagement Through Giving, is taught by Warner, Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs. The first of its kind in Wisconsin, this is the sixth time that UW-Green Bay has offered the course. The hands-on approach develops college students’ commitment to and engagement in the community while bringing external funding to local organizations.

The class will announce the funding recipient at 4  p.m. on April 30, 2018 in Phoenix C, University Union. The event is free and open to the public. Follow the progress of the class as it continues to research potential funding recipients at https://www.facebook.com/uwgbstrategicphilanthropy/.

Questions and more information can be directed to Garrett Serna at serngp09@uwgb.edu.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,158 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

 

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Faculty note: Prof. Warner selected to serve as Learning By Giving Foundation advisor

Associate Professor Lora Warner (Public and Environmental Affairs) has been invited to serve as an advisor for the Learning by Giving Foundation (LGF). She will be providing guidance and assistance for any new and existing LGF partner schools. Currently there are 43 locations offering a strategic philanthropy class like Warner’s that receives grant dollars study non-profits, solicit nominations and award $10,000. Warner will travel to Boston in early June to meet the (Warren) Buffet family and others who run the foundation.

Strategic Philanthropy students win award for blog content

Students in Lora Warner’s (Public and Environmental Affairs) Strategic Philanthropy class — Beth Kinnunen, Katie Krantz, Becca Weise and Tristin St.Mary — took third place out of 43 college and universities for their blog which was tied to a class project. With third place comes an additional $1,000 from the Learning by Giving Foundation to award to a community agency working with the arts and older adults. Earlier this month, the class selected Curative Connections to receive a $10,000 grant made possible by the Learning by Giving Foundation.

UW-Green Bay’s Philanthropy Class to announce grant recipient May 3

UW-Green Bay’s Philanthropy Class will announce the recipient of a $10,000 award to a local nonprofit. The recognition will be held Wednesday, May 3 at 4:30 in the Christie Theatre, in the lower level of the University Union. Students have worked all semester to analyze community trends and needs, conduct site visits, and consider proposals from nonprofits to expand opportunities in Brown County to engage older adults in the arts (their choice). The Learning by Giving Foundation (of the Buffet family) granted this class (the only one in the state of Wisconsin) $10,000 to donate as they choose. The class blog, www.uwgbsp.blogspot.com, tells more of the story.

Strategic Philanthropy blog grabbing interest of national foundation

UW-Green Bay’s Strategic Philanthropy students (led by Associate Prof. Lora Warner, Public and Environmental Affairs) are creating a blog, which has generated the interest of the national Learning by Giving Foundation. The organization is recognizing UW-Green Bay students with a pizza party for the great job they are doing with their philanthropy efforts. The class also has a facebook page.

 

UW-Green Bay’s Strategic Philanthropy class seeks proposals

Seeking creative strategies to improve the lives of seniors through arts opportunities, deadline is April 5

Green Bay, WI — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s 2017 Strategic Philanthropy class will award $10,000 to an organization of their choice. The funds were granted by The Learning by Giving Foundation, an organization founded by Doris Buffet. Students in the Strategic Philanthropy class encourage proposals that identify creative strategies to improve the lives of seniors by providing arts opportunities.

The class issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 10, 2017 for proposals to provide arts opportunities to senior citizens whose quality of life is reduced due to mental or other health related issues. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017. The RFP is available at http://uwgbsp.blogspot.com/. Submit proposals by e-mail to UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Lora Warner at warnerl@uwgb.edu.

The class is seeking creative strategies to improve the availability of arts opportunities for senior citizens after their community research revealed that the arts are a way to increase their quality of life. According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) and the American Art Therapy Association, art helps senior citizens with communication and socialization, reduces stress, pain and loss, helps them retain motor skills, increases mental health and coping skills and gives them a sense of empowerment.

“We have selected a wonderful cause to give our $10,000 grant to this year,” said Rachel Clift, a UW-Green Bay student who researched this need. This is the first time that grant funds will support a program for senior citizens. The course, Strategic Philanthropy: Civic Engagement Through Giving, is taught by Warner, Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs. The first of its kind in Wisconsin, this is the fifth time that UW-Green Bay has offered the course. The hands-on approach develops college students’ commitment to and engagement in the community while bringing external funding to local organizations.

The class will announce the funding recipient at 4:30 p.m., May 3, 2017 in UW-Green Bay’s Christie Theater, University Union. The event is free and open to the public. Follow the progress of the class as it continues to research potential funding recipients at https://www.facebook.com/uwgbstrategicphilanthropy/.

Questions and more information can be directed to Ryan Sievert at sievrg26@uwgb.edu.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,700 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

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