Research shows that when students are exposed to philanthropic giving while in college they are more likely to give once they graduate. Students who learn why giving is important are also more likely to be engaged in campus activities as alumni. At many majority institutions throughout the nation, especially well resourced colleges and universities, teaching students about giving and why fundraising is important to the success of the institution have become the norm. At my own institution, the University of Pennsylvania, we have a program called Penn Traditions that teaches student leaders about the role of philanthropy in the future of Penn. The program is hugely successful.
A conversation about philanthropic giving and its importance, as well as opportunities to learn about the inner workings of colleges or universities, is essential to sustaining their future. Future alumni need to be cultivated and educated about the needs of the institution.
With the exception of the United Negro College Fund’s National Pre-Alumni Councils, talking to students about philanthropy has not been the norm at most HBCUs. However, this situation is changing. For example, most recently Claflin University raised $150,000 from its students. They are using innovative strategies to engage students and alumni alike and showing impressive results — results that are the envy of any institution of higher education in the United States. And now Prairie View A&M University’s students are banding together to help their institution raise scholarship funds for future students. Prairie View is a public HBCU located outside of Houston, Texas with roughly 8,400 students. The initiative, which is commonly referred to as the Student Development Initiative (SDI), has several components, all geared to expose and engage students in philanthropy while still on campus. According to Prairie View’s Executive Director of Development Nelson Bowman lll, “Teaching them [students] to give now will create givers for life.” read more…
