BINGHAMTON, NY -- Binghamton University philanthropy students have announced the recipients of $13,000 in grant awards for 2013.
The University’s Philanthropy Incubator program consists of undergraduate and graduate students from three separate courses who learned about community needs, the role nonprofit organizations play in addressing those needs, and ways in which to manage and lead nonprofit organizations effectively. The students also learned the importance of contribution philanthropy, the giving of time or money, to ensure charitable organizations have the resources they need, in order to make a difference for communities.
The undergraduate philanthropy class is funded by the Learning by Giving Foundation (www.learningbygivingfoundation.org). The graduate courses were funded with money raised by students earlier this year. Organizations receiving grants were selected for funding based upon issue areas of concern to students, assessment of community needs and the performance of selected organizations in addressing those needs.
This year the students have selected the following organizations for grants:
SOS Shelter - $ 4,200. The SOS Shelter provides a safe and secure housing for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. The organization will use its grant to improve the security of its shelter.
Family Enrichment Network (FEN) - $2,300. FEN is dedicated to enhance family development. FEN will use its grant to expand the playground utilized by children in its Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.
Hope Dispensary - $2,000. The Hope Dispensary of the Southern Tier, operated through Lourdes Hospital, is committed to provide affordable medical care. The organization works with each individual extensively through medical assistance and advocacy. The organization will use the grant to cover expenses need to operate the dispensary.
Kopernik Observatory and Science Center - $1,500. The grant will be use towards repairing their telescope. The lens replacement will help Kopernik expand its capacity to utilize all of the telescopes.
VINES - $3,653. Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments, INC (VINES) is an organization committed to developing a sustainable and just community food system. The organization advocates for social and environmental justice. VINES brings together diverse groups of people with a focus on youth development, to establish community gardens, urban agriculture and community green spaces. VINES also strives to develop and beautify urban sites and empower community members of all ages and abilities.
For more information, contact David Campbell at dcamp@binghamton.edu.