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The Promise And Challenge Of American Philanthropy At ISU

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Throughout my time in the honors program at ISU, I have been able to be a part of unique classes and projects. One of the classes that supported my education and curiosity outside of my degree was the honors exploration titled “In Pursuit of a Better World: The Promise and Challenge of American Philanthropy.” This experience provided a unique insight into philanthropy through providing an overview of its history, philanthropy today, and philanthropy at ISU. Understanding the effect of philanthropy in education such as at ISU expanded my understanding of what ISU is as an organization and educational facility.
Over the course of the class, I was introduced to a wide range of topics surrounding the role of philanthropy as it connects to most fields of work. One of such classes discussed the roles of traditionally marginalized groups in American philanthropy. During our discussion of this …show more content…

Before taking the class, I would describe a philanthropist as someone who has donated a large amount of money. However, as discussed in the class, the amount of giving financially is not the only way a person can give back. Rather one can give their time, skills, or talents to support a cause and be considered a philanthropist. The idea of giving skills and one’s time to support causes is an extremely important concept. As a student, financially giving is not always the most appropriate way for me to show support. However, I do possess other skills that could support organizations from a non-monetary perspective. Skills such as managing and leading a team, collecting data, or being available to complete routine tasks all lend themselves to being a philanthropist and making a difference. Taking the initiative to support organization’s that matter, and working as a collective to support the mission, enhances ones ablity to make a difference in a

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