Philanthropy 101

This spring, Mays Business School’s Strategic Philanthropy course taught a new cohort of Aggies how to give back effectively. Established eight years ago by lecturer Kyle Gammenthaler ’11 ’15, the class helps students immerse themselves in the world of philanthropy and nonprofits—from writing “why” statements to meeting the heads of nonprofits—all while making a change in their community. 

Partners of the class, including the Texas A&M Foundation and the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, also donate funds which students then distribute to various charities of their choosing, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brazos Valley Food Bank and Brazos Valley Interfaith Immigration Network. This past semester, the class surpassed $1 million in funds to support local nonprofits and charities since the course began. 

“Those dollars have a dual benefit,” Gammenthaler said. “The money goes to nonprofits, and that’s great by itself. But it also gives the students autonomy to make very real decisions. Donors who have bought into that idea have latched on to the practical nature of training the next generation of philanthropic leaders.”