This document outlines the structure and objectives of courses on strategic philanthropy taught at Georgetown University and the University of California Berkeley. It discusses how the courses select students, structure class sessions, define learning objectives, and guide students through grantmaking processes like defining a foundation's mission and values, establishing grant criteria, vetting nonprofits, group decision making, and adapting the course for other contexts. The document provides an agenda for the course and examples of assignments, readings and materials used to teach students about effective philanthropy.

1. Strategic
Philanthropy:
Learning by Giving
Dr. Kathy Kretman Dr. Nora Silver
Georgetown
University

2. Agenda
10:00 Introductions and review of agenda
Class impact
10:20 Our Experience: Berkeley
Sample team presentation
10:35 Our Experience: Georgetown
10:50 Group Work: Defining foundation mission, values and strategies
11:20 Group Work: Determining grant awards criteria
11:40 Nonprofit vetting
11:55 Decision-making/Voting
12:10 Adaptation to your context

3. Class Impact
http://nonprofit.haas.berkeley.edu/New/courses.html#economics
Handouts:
• Georgetown University Article: Local Nonprofits Benefit from Social
Change Course

4. Our Experience - Berkeley
• Selecting Students
• Student designed course – cross-disciplinary majors
• Class Structure
• Combination of short lectures, guest speakers, group exercises, individual exercises
and teamwork
• Steps in process
Individual values Identify nonprofits Select nonprofits
Grantmaking criteria Assess nonprofits Award grants
Focus areas Recommend nonprofit
Theory of change Present nonprofit
• Learning Objectives
• Learn about the field of philanthropy including tenets and models of effective
philanthropy
• Learn how to identify and assess local need and local community based
organizations
• Make a charitable contribution of $10,000 as a giving group and project its
effectiveness
• Handouts
• Syllabus with assignments and additional readings

5. Student Team Presentation

6. Our Experience - Georgetown
• Selecting Students
• Class Structure
• Learning Objectives
• To examine the history, context and future of philanthropy and the relationship
with the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors.
• To explore the role of foundations and nonprofit organizations in creating social
change.
• To increase awareness of the Washington, D.C. community; its social and
economic conditions; and the response of foundations and nonprofits to the
needs of the most vulnerable populations.
• To provide students with a “hands on” experience in grant writing and grant
making that will further their understanding of strategic giving for social
impact.
• Handouts
• Sample class agenda, assignments, readings, request for proposals

7. Defining Foundation Mission,
Values and Strategies
Some values that are of particular importance to our foundation are:
1.
2.
3.
Based on our values, our mission statement is as follows (this is WHAT we
want to accomplish):
Some strategies that we believe are effective in addressing social change as it
relates to our mission statement include (this is HOW we plan to accomplish
it):
1.
2.
3.
Handouts:
• Sample class foundation mission, values and strategies
• Sample mission, values and strategies from existing foundations

8. Determining Grant Awards
Criteria
Choose your top 5 criteria for grant making:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Handouts:
• 2011 Cal Strategic Philanthropy Grant Criteria
• Proposal Review Form for Philanthropy and Social Change 2012

9. Nonprofit Vetting
• Interviews
• staff, volunteers, board members, partner organizations
• Site visits
• see the work of the organization and talk with clients
• Official organization documents
• incorporation papers, websites, grants, strategic plans
• Websites that identify and rate nonprofits
• Global Giving
• KIVA.org
• The Foundation Center, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, Network for
Good (USA)

10. Decision-making/Voting
• Decision-making process
• Lessons learned
• Student reflections

11. Adaptation to Your Context

12. Resources on teaching the course
Louise Sawyer
Executive Director
Learning by Giving Foundation
http://www.learningbygivingfoundation.org
Kathy Kretman, Ph.D., Director
Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership
Research Professor, Georgetown Public Policy Institute
Old North Building 37th and O Streets, NW, Suite 414
Washington, DC 20057
Phone: +202-687-5499
kpk2@georgetown.edu
Nora Silver, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor and Director
Center for Nonprofit and Public Leadership
Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
Phone: +510.642.1625
silver@haas.berkeley.edu
Skype nora_silver
http://nonprofit.haas.berkeley.edu