PPD 353: Introduction to Philanthropy
& Grant Writing, Fall 2015, 4 Units
Instructor
Lori M. Nascimento, MPH
Email
lmnascim@usc.edu
lorimill08@gmail.com
Office Location & Hours
Class: RGL 215,
Thursdays. 6 – 9:20pm
Office Hours: RGL 107 Thursdays
5-6pm or as requested
Course Description
This course provides students with an introduction to the field of philanthropy and covers practical
grant writing skills for the non-profit sector. This will be a hands-on, interactive class that will
touch on the importance of building relationships, getting to know potential funders, crafting your
message and “ask”, and exploring the history and philosophy of philanthropy. This course focuses
on learning through practice, and whether students chose to focus on a real project or not, they
will have the opportunity to weigh in on why and how some proposals are funded and others are
not.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should have an:
o Increased understanding of the field of philanthropy and exploring your personal views and
interests;
o Improved knowledge of Foundation grant making;
o Improved capacity to prepare for and write an original proposal;
o Ability to critically review and edit grant proposals and work collaboratively in a team; and
o Experience to engage in research, discussion, and evaluation around topics in philanthropy
and grant writing with your peers.
Course Materials
Required Materials
The Grant Writing Book below is a skill-building practical book that you will likely find useful even
after completing this course. The Give Smart book and The Promise of a Pencil are shorter books
that I hope will provide inspiration for you, and they provide tips and ideas for reaching your goals
in the future.
 The Only Grant Writing Book You’ll Ever Need, 4th Edition, Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox (2014)
 Give Smart, Philanthropy That Gets Results, Thomas J. Tierney and Joes L. Fleishman (2011)
 The Promise of a Pencil, How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change, Adam Braun
(2015)
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Optional Materials and Resources
You want to learn more about this topic? If so, I’m listing another book and several websites that
you may find useful for this class and beyond.
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Philanthropy in America, A History, by Olivier Zunz (2012)
The Foundation by Joel Fleishman (2009)
Foundation Center Online
o www.foundationcenter.org
The Grantsmanship Center
o www.tgci.com
Grant Makers for Effective Organizations (GEO)
o www.geofunders.org
Grants-Gov:
o Http:/www.grants.gov
Federal Register
o www.federalregister.gov
Course Format and Student Expectations
This course meets once per week. Attendance and participation are mandatory. The expectation
is to discuss the reading assignments and apply them to class projects. The classes are intended to
be interactive so that students and the instructor can learn from each other. Students will spend a
significant amount of time working in smaller groups to develop, discuss, create and critique grant
writing assignments.
We will read about and discuss theoretical concepts about philanthropy for the first few weeks,
and then we will more into proposal writing skills. The intention is for students to hear various
perspectives of philanthropy, which will help shape one’s own opinions. Then, consider what
topic, field, or organization you would like to represent and use your interests and passion to write
a compelling grant proposal. There will be a greater focus on foundation grants rather than large
governmental grants for this course.
If you would like to speak with the instructor before class or at another time, please ask the
instructor in advance to arrange a time that accommodates everyone. The syllabus will serve as a
guide for this course; however, as needed, some topics and assignments may be adjusted to
accommodate the dynamic nature of the course. Classroom discussions and student interests and
experiences may lead to necessary adjustments along the way to ensure that the course supports
the highest level of learning and productivity.
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in
the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. Website and contact information for DSP:
http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html, (213) 740-0776
(Phone), (213) 740-6948 (TDD only), (213) 740-8216 (FAX) ability@usc.edu.
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Statement on Academic Integrity
USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic honesty
include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the expectation that
individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an instructor, and the obligations
both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by others as well as to avoid using another’s
work as one’s own. All students are expected to understand and abide by these principles.
SCampus, the Student Guidebook, (www.usc.edu/scampus or http://scampus.usc.edu) contains the
University Student Conduct Code (see University Governance, Section 11.00), while the
recommended sanctions are located in Appendix A.
Emergency Preparedness/Course Continuity in a Crisis
In case of a declared emergency if travel to campus is not feasible, USC executive leadership will
announce an electronic way for instructors to teach students in their residence halls or homes using
a combination of Blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technologies.
Grading
This course provides traditional letter grades, determined by a combination of in-class activities,
participation, assignments, exams and projects. More details on each assignment will be provided
in separate PPD 353 Grading Sheets.
Class Participation 15%
Class Projects
25%
Grant Project
40%
Mid-term
10%
Final Exam
10%
GRADE DISTRIBUTION TABLE
A
A-
93 – 100%
90 – 92%
B+
B
B-
88 - 89%
83 - 87%
80 - 82%
C+
C
C-
78 - 79%
73 - 77%
70 - 72%
D+
D
D-
68 - 69%
63 - 67%
60 - 62%
F
59 - 0%
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Course Schedule*
*This schedule is subject to change based on class dynamics.
Week
1.
Aug. 27th
Topic
Reading to do for
Following Week
Exercises and Homework
Introductions
Promise of a Pencil
Read chapters 1 - 8
Exploring Philanthropy
The Promise of a Pencil
Read chapters 8 – 10
Types of Funders and Support
Grant Writing Book
Read pages 1 – 13
Course Overview
Topics in Philanthropy
2.
Sept. 3rd
Overview of Class Project #1
3.
Sept. 10th
Start Personal “What is Philanthropy”
project (CLASS PROJECT #1)
CLASS PROJECT #1 DUE - Student
Presentations of “What is Philanthropy?
Discuss Promise of a Pencil
Complete The Promise of Complete Promise of a Pencil Book,
a Pencil and discuss
read discussion questions and be ready
to answer questions 1, 2, 6, and 12
Consider your passions and interest
regarding purpose-driven work.
Strategic grant writing
Grant Writing Book
Introduction to Grant Writing
Read Lesson 2
Components of Grant Writing
4.
Sept. 17th
Discuss Questions from Promise of a
Pencil
Give Smart
Read pages 1 – 48
Grant Writing Book
Read Lessons 3 and 4
Strategic Philanthropy
Getting Ready for Grant Writing
Start “Inspiring Philanthropist” project
(CLASS PROJECT #2)
Overview of Class Project #2 – Identify
and present about an inspiring
philanthropist
5.
Sept. 24th
CLASS PROJECT #2 DUE - Student
presentations of “Inspiring
Philanthropist” projects
Begin research for your grant writing
project
Grant Writing Book
Read Lesson 5
Identifying your project/NGO
Give Smart
Read Chapter 2
Letter of Inquiry
Aligning mission with request
Begin Research for a topic
Building Relationships
Self-guided research on your grant
topic
Page 4
Week
Reading to do for
Following Week
Topic
Overview of Class Project #3
Assignment – research issues and
identify questions
6.
Oct. 1st
Oct. 8th
Start CLASS PROJECT #3 – summary of
research on grant topic, questions for
your peers
CLASS PROJECT #3 DUE – Brief research
summaries on research topics followed
by Q and A with peers
Grant Writing Book
Read Lessons 6, 7, 8
Discuss Class Project #2 - Share your
independent research on grant topic
with class
Give Smart
Read Chapter 3
Writing your grant
Grant Writing Book
Read Lessons 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Grant Writing Skills
7.
Exercises and Homework
Goals and Objectives
Write 5 questions you have regarding
grant-writing?
Developing your Budget and Budget
Narrative
Get assignment for the Midterm
8.
Oct. 15th
MIDTERM
Field Work Guidelines
TBD based on projects
Prepare for field work
Overview of Class Project #4
9.
Oct. 22nd
FIELD WORK – Visit organizations
and/or events in your topic area
-
10. Oct. 29th
CLASS PROJECT #4 - Write a 2-page
paper on your field work experience as
per the guidelines (to be distributed by
October 8th)
Who are you representing?
Why is this grant necessary?
What are you asking for?
Where are you going to send
your proposal?
CLASS PROJECT #4 Due – share your
field work experiences with the class
Share field work experiences with
class, what you learned, challenges,
surprises and next steps
Q and A
11. Nov. 5th
Voices from the Field
Guest speakers share
about grant writing and
grant processing
12. Nov. 12th
Proposal element review and Q and A
with Instructor
Grant Writing Book and
Revise elements of your proposal as per
other resources,
peer and instructor suggestions
depending on your project
13. Nov. 19th
Evaluation and Reporting
Grant Writing Book and
other resources (to be
shared in class)
Work on your proposal, including the
cover letter, rationale, context,
request, work plan, evaluation,
sustainability plan, budget and other
necessary elements
Finalize proposal, plans for submission
and reporting. Prepare final proposal
to submit with on Dec. 3rd, when group
presentations are due.
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Week
Topic
Reading to do for
Following Week
Exercises and Homework
14. Nov. 26th
NO CLASS – Happy Thanksgiving
Work on proposals and final
presentation
15. Dec. 3rd
Group Presentations
Receive final exam instructions and
review readings
16. Dec. 10th
FINAL EXAM
Complete final exam and course
evaluations
Careers in Philanthropy and Grant
Writing
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