Student Philanthropy Club Awards $10,000 in Grants

OBERLIN, OHIO (April 4, 2008) — Oberlin's newly launched Student Philanthropy Club has awarded $10,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Lorain County.

The Oberlin Student Philanthropy Club (OSPC) awarded funds to 11 local groups representing a broad range of services, including family and youth counseling, performing arts, downtown development, historical preservation, and energy conservation.

Funding was provided by an initial $10,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The College received the gift last year with the provision that a student-run group was created to manage the money and become actively involved in philanthropy. The donor has offered to match that gift next year if the philanthropy club can raise an additional $10,000 from other sources.

Graham Johnson '08, co-chairman of OSPC, says the group allocated grants using a comprehensive application process. Of the 15 project proposals, they were able to award funds to 11 groups.

Graham says their decisions were based on projects that they determined are well organized, show potential for success, serve a variety of demographics, and provide a direct benefit to the most people in the community.

"We met personally with each of the groups. We wanted to give grants to a variety of types of organizations, ranging from arts to community development. They all represent different demographics," Johnson says. "We wanted to be sure every dollar we gave out would be used efficiently and have the greatest impact in the community."

The 2008 grant recipients have earmarked funding for the following projects:

• Catholic Charities Services Lorain County — Strengthening Families
Program for Oberlin families

• Common Ground: The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal — Pathfinders youth character and experiential education program
• Community Health Partners Regional Foundation — Counseling program to support women during pregnancy
• Credo — Chamber music and community service youth summer program
• Junior Achievement — Elementary school economics education
• MAD* Factory — Youth performing arts program
• Main Street Oberlin — Providing portable handicap-accessible ramps for downtown businesses
• Oberlin Choristers — Student leaders program for youth chorus
• Oberlin Heritage Center — Local historical preservation initiatives
• Oberlin Weekday Hot Meals Program (fiscal sponsor, Christ Episcopal Church) — Providing free meals for community members
• Youth Energy Squad (a group of Oberlin students operating independently of the College, sponsored financially by Oberlin Community Services) — Making low-income families' homes more energy-efficient

Johnson says the group is actively involved in fundraising this semester and will continue the $10,000 fund drive in the fall. They're also recruiting new members for next year.

"I'm absolutely pleased with the process and the grants that are being awarded," Johnson says. "It's been an amazing educational opportunity for myself and the students involved. And at the same time, we're able to make a difference in the community and get to know these organizations. There's so much good work being done in Lorain County. It's really encouraging to see, and it makes everyone involved want to do more to help."

OSPC is open to students of all majors. Anyone interested in donating can contact the group at ospc@oberlin.edu or the Oberlin College Office of Development at (440) 775-8550.

Media Contact:
Scott Wargo
Director of Media Relations
440-775-5197