The University of Montana's Experiential Learning and Career Success office, Department of Communication Studies, and the Global Leadership Initiative, partnered with the Learning by Giving Foundation to offer grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations serving Missoula County residents. The Learning By Giving Program at UM awards $10,000 in funds through grants distributed autumn semester each year.

Each fall semester, the University of Montana's Global Leadership Initiative class, "Can Giving Change the World?" provides grant opportunities through a Giving Circle model to local nonprofit organizations. Students determine prioritized need areas and contact nonprofit organizations.

Program Background

The Learning by Giving Foundation promoted the study of philanthropy at the undergraduate level at colleges and universities across the country. The Foundation supported academically rigorous full-credit courses with grants of $10,000 for each class to distribute to local nonprofit organizations. The courses help students understand the social and economic roles of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy and the processes through which social change is funded and implemented across sectors. Students develop critical leadership, professional, interpersonal, and analytical skills as they carry out an effective philanthropic strategy in their local communities.  Through courses offered in a variety of academic disciplines, students experience first hand the art, science, and business of philanthropy. The Learning By Giving Foundation advanced the next generation's understanding of philanthropy by providing the financial, technological, and intellectual tools to experience community impact and to make that knowledge widely accessible through an online forum.

The Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship class at the University of Montana teaches students about social responsibility and community building as a means to address and resolve social issues. As can be seen in this news clip, students study the role of philanthropy and socially entrepreneurial giving strategies to meet local needs. The class engaged students in a philanthropic experience funded by the Learning by Giving program and local support. Students in the class became philanthropists and disbursed grants to Missoula-area nonprofit organizations serving a variety of community needs.

Fall 2023 Recipients

• Clark Fork River Coalition
• Summit Independent Living
• Family Promise

For additional information contact Andrea Vernon. 

Previous Reward Recipients

Fall 2022 Recipients

• Watson's Children's Shelter 
• Free Cycles Missoula
• Soft Landing Missoula
• Garden City Harvest 

Past Recipients

• 1st Way Pregnancy Support
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Ecology Project International
• Flagship Program
• Friends to Youth
• Garden City Harvest
• Humane Society of Western Montana
• Missoula Aging Services
• Missoula Children's Theatre
• Missoula Community Food and Agriculture Coalition
• Missoula Family YMCA
• Missoula Food Bank

• Montana Natural History Center
• Mountain Home Montana
• Native Generational Change
• North Missoula Community Development Corporation
• Partnership for Children
• Poverello Center
• RiteCare Language and Hearing Clinic
• Soft Landing Missoula
• The Girls Way, Inc.
• The Learning Center at Red Willow
• The Montana Food Bank Network
• Watson Children's Shelter, Inc.
• Women's Opportunity and Resource Development
• Youth Homes, Inc.
• Clark Fork School
• Council Grove Apartments
• Lewis and Clark Elementary School PTA