History

The Pay it Forward program is based on a smaller pilot program, Campus Connects, which was instituted in Ohio and Kentucky in 2007-2008. Data collected from this program, as well as feedback from our campuses and community partner constituents, illustrated the strong desire to expand and implement philanthropy into the college curriculum. Campus Connects was privately funded through the generosity of private philanthropist Roger Grein. (To learn more about Roger, visit: http://www.rogergrein.com). Unfortunately, due to the downturn in the market, Mr. Grein was no longer able to fund the initiative. However, Ohio Campus Compact – with the encouragement and support of Mr. Grein – vowed not only to continue this pilot program but also to expand and create an intentional academic student philanthropy and service program to strengthen local communities.

Pay it Forward is an innovative and unique initiative that simultaneously improves student learning, faculty scholarship, college engagement, non-profit capacity, and community needs. The program is unique in that it allows students the ability to understand philanthropy in real time, meeting real needs with real dollars. Coupled with the service-learning component, Pay it Forward courses help cultivate a new generation of philanthropists and volunteers that will continue to “Pay it Forward” for years to come

The main message and objective of the Pay it Forward program is to develop a new generation of philanthropists and address critical economic needs by engaging students in innovative learning and service to help build the capacity of local non-profit organizations. The intent is to have the study of philanthropy embedded in a variety of courses across the curriculum. Pay it Forward has been implemented in a variety of disciplines including: psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice, business, marketing, communications, accounting, art, English, medicine, public relations, urban studies, nursing, social work, and economics.

In addition to the pedagogical aspect of philanthropy there are specific characteristics of the program that distinguish it from other service-learning programs. The intentional yet distinct structure of engaging faculty, a campus liaison, a community liaison, and a development officer for each campus helps to institutionalize and sustain a student philanthropy program. Additionally, the program also incorporates social media and technology to facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among the faculty on the various campuses.