Big Hearts, Big Impact: Davidson Day Students' Grant Project Empowers Nonprofits

Armed with determination and a $4,000 fundraising effort, they embarked on a journey to make a tangible difference in their community. With each student playing a crucial role, they crafted a grant application, outlining their vision and criteria for potential recipients. The process wasn't just about dispersing funds but empowering organizations that shared their passion for uplifting youth. Through outreach and networking, the students sent personal invitations to apply for the grant to local nonprofits whose missions aligned with the CEC.

After reviewing each application, the students faced the challenge of selecting four organizations from a pool of deserving applicants. Angels & Sparrows, Heart Math Tutoring, Crisis Response Ministry, and Classroom Central emerged as the worthy recipients of $1,000 grants each.

 

But the impact didn't stop there. The students took it upon themselves to personally connect with each organization, delivering the good news and expressing why their nonprofit stood out. In this celebratory act, students understood the importance of fostering relationships and recognizing the tireless efforts of those dedicated to making a difference. Mackenzie Krahl, ‘25, said, "It was extremely rewarding for us as a group to see how these leaders in the community were so grateful for a gift we as students could provide to help them continue making a difference in the community." 

Inspired by the "Learning by Giving" grant from Davidson College's "Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector" course, led by Dr. Ken Menkhaus, the CEC Grant Project exemplifies the power of education in action. By applying lessons learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios, these students demonstrated their commitment to creating positive change. Olivia Berkman, ‘26, said, "I feel extremely lucky to have this opportunity to help our Davidson Day community grow and become more connected to kids who are not in the same position we are."

Post-project, the students engaged in reflective sessions with Dr. Menkhaus, exploring the nuances of the grant-making process and laying the groundwork for future partnerships. 

Shiley shared, “Dr. Mekhaus's "Learning by Giving" grant course offered a framework, piloted with our CEC students, that combined community engagement with responsible financial stewardship. Deepened compassion, confidence, and character development were as much of an output of the grant project as the financial awards presented to the chosen non-profit organizations. We don’t see this as a one-time initiative but as one of several ways we commit long-term to developing a philanthropic and community-engagement-oriented mindset in our Davidson Day students.” 

The Davidson Day CEC Grant Project serves as a beacon of hope—a reminder that young hearts can make a monumental impact. Through their dedication, empathy, and collaborative spirit, these students have proven that no act of kindness is too small, and together, they can make a big impact on children’s lives.