Philanthropy as Civic Engagement
Together, We Make the Difference
For more than a century, UCLA has been at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future through education, research, and service. As part of this commitment, UCLA has expanded its efforts in philanthropy education, providing students with opportunities to explore the role of giving in driving social impact.
What began as a single undergraduate course has grown into a larger initiative, equipping students with hands-on experience in strategic philanthropy and nonprofit engagement. Recognizing the program’s success and its growing influence, UCLA has appointed Dr. Jennifer Lindholm as Centennial Director for Philanthropy Education—a role dedicated to furthering philanthropic learning and expanding student opportunities in this field.
Honors Collegium M123XP: Philanthropy as Civic Engagement
Students who participate in the course have a unique opportunity to determine, in collaboration with their peers, how $100,000 (contributed to the course by UCLA donors) should be allocated to local non-profit organizations. Since Fall 2012, the 200 undergraduates who have participated in this course have awarded $1,000,000 in funding to 34 Los Angeles nonprofit organizations that foster arts and culture, human services, environmental sustainability/animal interests, and health and wellness.
Speaker Series: Philanthropy in Action
Our new Philanthropy in Action speaker series offers unique opportunity to hear the stories of philanthropy organization leaders, donors and those whose lives have been transformed through the generosity of others and the services provided by nonprofit agencies. Following briefly shared individual stories, speakers engage in panel discussion and Q&A.
Giving Opportunities
$2500 – Programming
Makes it possible to augment course materials, provide stipends for teaching assistants, support site visit expenses, and cover media and communications.
$5,000 – Awards Reception
Covers the cost of the course awards ceremony and reception where the work of selected organizations is celebrated and grantees are presented with funding.
$10,000 – Scholarships
Provides funding for exceptional students to pursue philanthropic research and engagement during their UCLA undergraduate careers.
Philanthropy as Civic Engagement Course Fund
Contributions to the Philanthropy as Civic Engagement Course Fund are available for immediate use for grant awards made through the course. Each offering of the course is made possible by donor gifts totaling $100,000. Undergraduates who apply and are selected to participate in the Philanthropy as Civic Engagement course collaborate to determine how to award the funds to Los Angeles area nonprofit organizations.
Women & Philanthropy Endowment for Philanthropy Education
In Fall 2019, Women & Philanthropy at UCLA created an endowment to propel undergraduate philanthropic education to new heights of impact and excellence on our campus. Gifts to this endowed fund further secure the future of experiential philanthropy learning and help us reach our goal of growing this endowment to fund the course in perpetuity. A $2.5M transformative gift will secure this unique opportunity.