Philanthropy Lab
Course Taught by Stephanie Fischer
Department: School of International Service
About the Course
Professor Bio
Unique Course Components
About the Course
| University | Semester | Year | Course | Department | Instructor(s) | Students Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American University | Fall | 2024 | Philanthropy Lab | School of International Service | Stephanie Fischer | 19 students |
| American University | Fall | 2025 | Philanthropy Lab | School of International Service | Stephanie Fischer | 10 students |
Professor Bio
Stephanie Fischer is the Director of Experiential Learning and Executive-in-Residence at the American University School for International Service. She teaches courses in consulting, nonprofit management, social enterprise, and corporate social responsibility. Stephanie’s administrative role includes overseeing the School of International Service’s masters practicum program and skills institutes. Her extensive background in the social sector, particularly social enterprises, includes the roles of Chief Operating Officer of Microfinance Opportunities, Chief Program Officer of Global Giving, and Associate Director at Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. Stephanie’s international assignments have included directing the Advisory Board Foundation’s child protection project in the Philippines and leading Cummins Inc.’s corporate social responsibility efforts in Mexico. In addition to her work with American University, she consults and trains in the areas of management, planning, operations, and leadership. Stephanie earned a BA in international politics and economics from Middlebury College and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in strategic management.
Unique Course Components
American University Unique Course Components
- 501c3s for consideration must have been established at least 2 years ago
- Each student is a member of a Giving Team that will research a topic, examine causes/approaches to addressing the problem, and identify/assess organizations for consideration. Teams present to class, but each student votes individually. Grants will be made to 1-4 organizations
- A portion of funding is allocated to other orgs that host site visits
- Unique assignments:
- Philanthropist Interviews and Reflection: Interview 2 people you admire as philanthropists and write an essay about each and compare/contrast the two
- Individual Giving Narrative: consider how you’ve been impacted by philanthropy and problems in the world you most want to see change
- Team Charter & Giving Team Philosophy: Giving Team’s mission, values, priority focus areas, giving principles, and norms for working together
- Problem & Organization Research Memo: 3-4 page memo exploring the selected problem to address, underlying causes, and approaches that have been. Each team member interviews two subject matter experts who are not employees of nonprofit for consideration
- Each student mut go on two site visits
- Grant Recommendation Report/Presentation: each giving team creates a report and presentation to recommend the organization(s) to move forward for final donation consideration.
- Peer review (mid-term and final) – on each teammate
- Letter to Future You: Address the you of 2034
- Partners pick a notable giver for 10 minute class discussion (requires 3+ sources and 3+ data points)
Guest Speakers:
1. Spur Local (fka Catalogue for Philanthropy)
2. Taylor Allgood, The Market (AU food pantry)
3. Alex Moore, DC Central Kitchen
4. Mailee Walker, Executive Director Claneil Foundation
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