Oberlin students historically have been willing to devote their time, talent, and sweat to help others. Last year, in fact, at least 55 percent of the student body volunteered at more than 80 area nonprofit organizations. This year, a campus group is taking a different approach to giving with the launching of the Oberlin Student Philanthropy Club (OSPC).

“Our mission is to enable interested students to impact the greater Oberlin community in a different, very tangible way: through grants,” says Graham Johnson ’08, who co-chairs the club with James Hepp ’09.

“Charitable organizations throughout Lorain County will benefit, although preference will be given to projects with the greatest impact on the Oberlin area. Our second goal is to give Oberlin students hands-on experience in grant writing and grant making and help them prepare to work in the nonprofit sector.”

This fall OSPC will begin accepting applications for grants up to $2,000 from area charitable organizations. Official Oberlin student organizations are not eligible, but applications will be accepted from off-campus organizations that involve Oberlin students.

“The impetus for OSPC was a $10,000 gift to the College last spring from an anonymous donor—with the provision that the funds be channeled to area nonprofits under the auspices of a student organization,” says James Howard, director of principal gifts at Oberlin. “The donor’s intent was to provide students with an opportunity to learn about philanthropy and the process involved in the responsible giving of money.”

“Members of the Oberlin Business Scholars Program and the Oberlin Student Finance and Investment Club were informed of the gift, and several of us decided to take advantage of the opportunity to create OSPC,” recalls Johnson, an economics and music theory-history major.

The entire $10,000 will be given out this academic year. “Our donor has offered to give us $10,000 again next year provided we raise an additional $10,000 from other sources,” says Johnson. “We plan to increase awareness of the club and host fund-raisers throughout the year. Hopefully others will be inspired to donate. Eventually, we would like to establish an endowment.”

The group plans also to work with other Lorain County philanthropic organizations, such as the Community Foundation of Lorain County, the Stocker Foundation, the Nordson Corporation Foundation, and the Nord Family Foundation, and invite representatives to help educate club members. The Office of Development will also provide guidance and support.

“Graham and the other officers have done a tremendous job, especially by calling upon the expertise of Brian Frederick, CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, and John Mullaney, executive director of the Nord Family Foundation,” says Howard. “OSPC has a very good leadership structure in place, including a provision for succession from year to year.  I have every confidence that the students will keep it going.”

OSPC, which is open to all Oberlin students, has several other charter members: Leann Dameron’10, Lilia Andonova ’09, Nebyou Solomon ’09, Max Roessler ’09, and Kevin Ni ’08.

For more information about the applications and guidelines, go to http://www.oberlin.edu/stuorg/ospc/.