1. Creating a Culture of Student Philanthropy
AFP Mentee Program-2015
Mari Pionk-Student Life Coordinator & Development Officer Walsh College
Creatingandsustainingaculture of studentphilanthropyatWalshCollegehasproventobe challenging,yet
invigorating.WhenIbeganatWalshas the StudentLife Coordinator,therewasnothingspecificinmyjobdescription
that pointedtohavinga goal such as this,letalone anobjective andstrategiesinwhichI’dfulfillit. Andevenmore so,
nothingpointingtowardsFUNDRAISING. ButasI createdmy annual plan,I createda visionanda pathto developjust
that. I have watcheditgrowand blossom.Andas I approach my thirdyearat Walsh, as a DevelopmentOfficer, Ifindmy
heartfulfilledandwarmedbythe change that’soccurredwithinthisnotsotraditional organization.
In today’sworld millennial,GenX,andGenY giving,andthe obstaclesthatcome withit,are not unknowntofundraising
professionals. Yet,waysinwhichwe face these challengesare still beingdiscovered.It’snosecretthatwe live inavery
differentworldtoday,andsometimesitfeelsasif the philanthropicheartdoesn’tbeatassteadyasit usedto.As a
youngdonormyself,Ifindmyself tornbetweenwantingtodoso much,but nothavingthe abilitytodo itall.In some
strange,warpedwayitfeelsthat,if I can’t give toeverything,volunteerforeverything…if Ihave tosay the word NO,I
haven’taccomplishedanything.Butwhatmakesme feel thisway?
From the AFPResource Center,Ireadan interestingarticle, Getting to Know YourFutureNonprofitLeaders, writtenby
21/64 andthe DorothyA.JohnsonCenterforPhilanthropy.The article,basedoff of 310 surveysfrom“successful
donors,and20 in-depthinterviews,providesa necessarylookbehindthe scenesintotheseyoungdonors’intentions.”
Michael Moody, PhD D. of the FreyFoundationChairforFamilyFoundationsandPhilanthropyevenmakesthe bold
statementsaying,“Youngdonorswanttobe more than checkbookdonors.”Thisstatementhitshome forme.It’s
exactlythat,I wantto be fullyengagedwiththe organizationinwhichIam givingbackto.And mystudentssee mtofeel
the same way.
I have over400 studentswhoare activelyinvolvedinStudentLife,variousorganizationsfocusedonsocial,academic,
and philanthropiccommitment.Whatmakesthese organizationssosuccessful isthe factthattheyofferthe handson
approach thatthey’re sobadlycraving.Moody states,
“Althoughthe nextgenerationof donorscomesfroma wealthyupbringing,itdoesn’tmeantheyplantositback and
write a check.Instead,theywanttoget theirhandsdirty,“theywantto be involvedandengaged,theywanttoserve the
professionandnotjustsiton a committee orboard,or planparties,”saysMoody. “Additionally,theywanttobe
involvedinmeaningful ways,waysthatwill givethemstature andconvince elderstotake themseriously.Moodynotes
that nextgenerationdonorspartakinginthe survey“toldusthatthisishow theylearnthe most aboutphilanthropy,by
beinghands-on.”
Educationneedstobe at the centerof it all.Aside fromfindingworthycausestogive theirtime to,attendingcollege
events,andnetworkingwithfundraisingprofessionals,trustees,andboardmembers,studentsneedtofirstbe educated
on whatit meansto be a part of a philanthropicculture. Whyit’ssoimportanttogive backto the communityinwhich
Walshcallshome,the surroundingcommunities,andtoWalshitself.Iamtheirteacher. I am cultivatingourfuture
alums,donors,andemployerswhowill seekmore Walsh studentsfortheirbusinesses.
The ROI comesfull circle whentheyunderstandasastudentwhatit meanstogive back,and how it impactstheir
future(s).It’smyjobtoget theirpulsesgoing,heartsbeating,andbrainsworkingtowardsalife of giving.