University of Washington Students Receive Hands-On Lesson in the Art of ‘Doing Good’ in the World through Philanthropy

  • Photo by Colette Cosner, UW Arts & Sciences Communications Specialist

  • Photo by Colette Cosner, UW Arts & Sciences Communications Specialist

  • Photo by Colette Cosner, UW Arts & Sciences Communications Specialist

  • Photo by Colette Cosner, UW Arts & Sciences Communications Specialist

  • Photo by Colette Cosner, UW Arts & Sciences Communications Specialist

  • Photo by Andie Long, Global Washington

On Tuesday, June 5, five Global Washington member non-profits received grants from students at the University of Washington for their global programs, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The grant-making was part of a new course on philanthropy for social impact, taught by Stephen Meyers, assistant professor in the UW Department of Law, Societies, and Justice.

Funding for the grants was provided by the Philanthropy Lab, a private foundation that is dedicated to increasing philanthropy education at U.S. universities.

University of Washington President, Ana Mari Cauce, speaking at the giving ceremony on Tuesday night, jokingly mourned the fact that she hadn’t been invited to audit the class, noting what an incredible opportunity it was for the students to receive such a hands-on opportunity to learn about philanthropy.

Global Washington partnered with the UW class, offering a framework for evaluating the diverse array of work being done in global development today, and soliciting grant proposals from 22 of its non-profit members in the areas of education, food security, global health, human rights and democracy, and refugee crises.

Kristen Dailey, the executive director of Global Washington, noted that the partnership aligned with its mission. “We look for ways to strengthen our members so that they can have a greater impact in the world,” she said. “We also connect donors with non-profits based here in our state that are doing important global work.”

After studying various giving approaches, and hearing from a philanthropic advisor at The Seattle Foundation, the students applied their knowledge to collaboratively decide which organizations would receive part of the $50,000 grant allotment.

After much debate, the students selected Spreeha as their top non-profit to receive $25,000. Spreeha is responding to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. Mavuno, an organization that supports local leaders in eastern Congo, received a $10,000 grant. Other GlobalWA members, including Malaria No MoreExtend the Day, and Rwanda Girls Initiative each received grants of $5,000.

“This course was designed to instill a lifelong commitment to responsible philanthropy that creates positive social change,” said assistant professor Meyers. “Regardless of whether students go on to advise philanthropists directly, or even become philanthropists themselves, what they’ve learned in this course will make them more aware of the challenges of ‘doing good’ in the world, and the ways to make those efforts more sustainable.”

All of the Global Washington member pitches to the students were livestreamed on Facebook. You can find them here: