The Pay it Forward program engages college students in hands-on philanthropy and grant-making through course-based service learning. Students provide volunteer service to local non-profits while identifying needs, establishing funding criteria, and making group decisions. This program improves student learning and non-profit impact while developing a new generation of philanthropists. A survey found that the program significantly increased students' likelihood of volunteering, donating, and making a difference in their community after graduation.

1. PAY IT FORWARD
College Student Philanthropy
Education & Service Initiative
Inspiring the next generation of philanthropists
The Ohio Campus Compact Pay it Forward program is developing a new generation of
philanthropists through an innovative course-based service-learning program that
engages college students in hands-on philanthropy, grant-making, and volunteer service
while providing community nonprofits with much needed assistance during the
economic downturn. Participating faculty infuse the study of philanthropy as a core
component of the coursework and each course receives real dollars to award non-
profit agencies. Students provide at least 15 hours of volunteer service to local
non-profit agencies while
simultaneously identifying
community needs,
establishing funding criteria,
and engaging in group
decision-making as part of
the course. Pay it Forward
simultaneously improves
student learning, faculty
scholarship, college
engagement and non-profit
capacity and impact.
631 N. Pearl Street
Granville, Ohio 43023
(740) 587-8568
(740) 587-8569 FAX
www.ohiocampuscompact.org
PAY IT FORWARD INITIATIVE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS
2011 OHIO NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Ohio Campus Compact was among just six
nonprofits from across the state to be awarded the
prestigious Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Award by the
Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations. Each
year, the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations
(OANO), recognizes a handful of truly outstanding
nonprofits from around Ohio. The Excellence Award
recognized the creativity, execution, achievement, and
overall excellence of the Pay it Forward program.
OANO Executive Director Jennifer Williams (right) presents Ohio Campus Compact staff Dick Kinsley, Kirsten Fox
and Susan King with the 2011Ohio Nonprofit Excellence Award for the Pay it Forward Initiative,
Since January 2010, Pay it Forward has engaged more than
4,200 college students in 197 courses across 37 campuses,
dedicated more than 69,000 total volunteer hours, and
invested $655,500 in community nonprofit organizations.

2.
“The Pay it Forward grant from Ohio Campus
Compact allowed me to marry my love for
teaching and my passion for philanthropy. It was
amazing to witness how both teaching and
learning alike, in this course, was so different
than any regular business class. The students
were more engaged, and the learning was more
meaningful. Not only were the students able to
study management, but they learned about
themselves and what makes us all human,
and somehow connected. They found out that
they can truly impact another's life through the
fidelity of a worthy cause. That, to me, is the
greatest gift from this journey of discovery."
-Dr. Shirine Mafi, Professor of Management
Otterbein University, Westerville
RESULTS
New survey data illustrate the tremendous impact the Pay it Forward
initiative has had on students, faculty and nonprofits. Three distinct
surveys employing both quantitative and qualitative measures have
assessed the impact on students, faculty, and community organizations.
A student survey pre- & post-tested students to measure the
“likelihood” of participation in an action or belief as a result of taking the
Pay it Forward course. The survey found the following:
• Volunteer after graduation: (Before: 56%; After: 74%)
• Give money to area non-profits: (Before: 41%; After: 64%)
• Believe they can make a difference in the community: (Before: 60%;
After: 86%)
• Plan to volunteer/engage in philanthropic activities throughout lifetime:
(Before: 48%; After: 73%)
A faculty survey asked faculty to compare the course taught with the
Pay it Forward component against the same course taught without the Pay it
Forward initiative. The survey found the following:
• 84% felt students were more personally/academically invested in the
philanthropy infused course;
• 68% felt that students worked harder in the Pay it Forward course;
• 74% felt that the philanthropy component allowed students to develop
more as leaders.
Finally, the community partner survey looked at efficacy and
capacity as a result of Pay it Forward.
• 99% of community partners stated their organization was able to meet
community needs;
• 87% felt their organization was able to grow their capacity to better
serve clients; and
• 97% stated that the funding will help to effectively address a real
“This [Pay it Forward] course has helped me want to give back to my community
in any way that I can, whether that is by volunteering my time or donating money.
I have learned to love giving back and will continue to do so.”
-student course evaluation
As part of the Pay it
Forward program, students
in Professor Brett Smith’s
Social Entrepreneurship
course at Miami University
present Tracie Metzger
(center), Executive Director
of Pink Ribbon Girls with a
check to support the
nonprofit’s abreast cancer
awareness work.
Pay it Forward is sponsored by Ohio
Campus Compact and is made
possible through funding from the
Lindorf Family Foundation and the
John and Mary Alford Foundation
and past support from the
Corporation for National &
Community Service.
“This project was a life-changing experience that I will never forget. I learned group
skills, time management, organizational skills and lessons for a lifetime. This
experience was truly a life changer.” -student course evaluation