MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Students in the University of Louisana Monroe’s political science class, Nonprofit Policy and Leadership, awarded two local non-profits with $2,500 each as an end to the class Student Philanthropy Project.
The grant funds were provided by the Learning by Giving Foundation. Out of numerous non-profit organizations in Northeast Louisiana that applied for the grants, the two recipients were Grace Place Ministries and 65 Alive.
Students in the class combed through all of the applications to learn more about each organization’s mission and impact on the region. From there, the students decided which organizations would be the final recipients.
“It was gratifying to actually give out the money at the end, to see the reactions from the people representing the nonprofits, and I am glad I was able to learn a lot more about different issues that are affecting our local community,” said Wyatt Sage, a student in the class.
The students did not make their decision lightly.
“It was very hard to whittle the selection to the final two winners,” said Dr. Leigh Hersey, Associate Professor and class instructor. “All of the students agreed that each of the applicants is an important difference-maker in the community and that the grant would have a significant impact on the community. But resources are scarce, and they had to determine which organizations they felt most connected to.”
This year’s grants mark the last of the Learning by Giving Foundation’s philanthropy. The recent death of the foundation’s founder, Doris Buffet (sister of Warren Buffet), has led the organization to decide to close its doors.
“We are honored to have been able to partner with the Learning by Giving Foundation for this project,” Hersey said. “Together, we have distributed more than $30,000 in funds throughout the region. Additionally, this type of experiential learning has a huge impact on our students as they are able to see philanthropy firsthand.”
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