Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and its dedication to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Within the heart of this prestigious institution lies the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL), a place dedicated to fostering a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. One example of the CCL’s commitment is asking Dr. Vida L. Avery to create and teach an undergraduate philanthropy class, LEAD 340 – Giving to Learn. LEAD 340 – Giving to Learn is the study of the history, philosophy, and practice of philanthropy in addressing public need with an introduction to ethics and importance of financial giving and community investment. However, this is not your typical academic course. It is an immersive and transformative experience designed to challenge students’ perspectives and instill in them a sense of responsibility towards their communities and the world at large. Students spend substantial time working with local nonprofits in order to select a recipients for a grant awarded by the class.
Course Highlights:
- Understanding Philanthropy: Dr. Avery’s class provides students with a comprehensive overview of philanthropy’s history, evolution, and impact on society. Through engaging lectures and discussions, students gain a deep appreciation for the role of philanthropy in shaping our world.
- Strategic Giving: LEAD 340 delves into the art and science of strategic giving. Students learn how to identify pressing social issues, set philanthropic goals, and create effective strategies to address these issues. Dr. Avery’s guidance helps them develop the skills needed to make a meaningful impact with their awards.
- Real-World Experience: The class goes beyond theory, encouraging students to actively engage with local nonprofit organizations and community projects. This hands-on experience allows them to witness firsthand the impact of philanthropic efforts and gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by nonprofits.
- Ethical Considerations: In a world where ethical dilemmas often arise in philanthropic endeavors, Dr. Avery guides students in navigating complex moral issues. She emphasizes the importance of ethical giving and responsible stewardship of resources.
- Leadership Development: LEAD 340 isn’t just about philanthropy; it’s about leadership. Dr. Avery fosters a culture of leadership within her class, inspiring students to become effective, compassionate leaders who drive positive change.
Dr. Avery’s approach to teaching philanthropy is unique in that it goes beyond the classroom. She believes in the potential of every student to become a philanthropic leader, regardless of their background or resources. LEAD 340 encourages students to discover their passion for giving and equips them with the tools to become change-makers in their own right. As a culminating activity of the course, students volunteer as board chair, secretary, parliamentarian and statisticians and hold a board meeting where they present the organizations, discuss organizations’ program or project and decide which organizations will receive a grant and the amount of the award. The CCL holds an award ceremony where the students present checks to the organizations. To date, Dr. Avery’s students have awarded $210,000 to 42 nonprofit organizations’ programs and projects.
Brief Bio: Vida L. Avery, Ph.D. is not only an adjunct professor at Rice University, but also the manager for Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Center for Grants Development and has secured over $70 million in grant funding for HCDE divisions and nonprofit organizations in Houston/Harris County, Texas. She is also the chair of HCDE’s Institutional Review Board, or IRB, that reviews research studies to ensure that they comply with applicable regulations, meet commonly accepted ethical standards, follow institutional policies, and adequately protect research participants. In 2021, she received the Association for Fundraising Professionals – Greater Houston Chapter’s (AFP-GHC) M. Anne Murphy Award for Professional Advancement. The award was one of 11 presented at AFP-GCH’s annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon honoring individuals, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations whose philanthropy creates a significant impact on the quality of life in the greater Houston area. She also received an award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for her book, “Philanthropy in Black Higher Education: A Fateful Hour Creating the Atlanta University System.”