Since its launch in 2019, the Panther Experiential Philanthropy Project (PEPP) has given over $60,000 to local nonprofit organizations while providing students with the opportunity to learn about the responsibilities and rewards of philanthropic giving.

Offered as part of the curriculum in multiple undergraduate courses such as “Leadership for Emerging Social Issues” and “Corporate Sustainability Management,” the program provides each class with funds that are to be donated to a local community organization. Students must research multiple organizations, visit the people who run them and learn how the money will make a difference to their missions. Then, as a class, the students decide which organization will receive the allotted funds.

Gianna Taylor, a first-year student from Marin County, first learned about PEPP when she was in the process of applying to Chapman. In fact, she was so inspired by the program that it became the cornerstone of her application essay.

“I wrote that I was really drawn to this because I was interested in working with marginalized communities and helping support them,” she says.

Despite her previous experience in community service, Taylor says she was nervous at first about what the process might entail. But the class helped her feel more confident about how to engage with nonprofit organizations serving the local community. “I think this is such a cool opportunity for people who haven’t been able to get involved with the community before, to take this class and figure out what it’s about,” she says.

The biggest lesson for Taylor was the scope of the impact that comes as a result of philanthropic giving. “I think that’s something I really hadn’t been aware of,” she says. “It’s really cool to see how many advocates there are for all kinds of people struggling or in need of any sort of help. I’m happy to have learned about some of the work of other local organizations. It’s definitely a profession I want to go into, helping out others in need … It’s definitely something I’m going to continue learning about and working with in the future.” Taylor’s class, “Helping Professions,” taught by senior lecturer Jody Brown, ultimately made a donation of $1,000 to Jonathan’s Giving Tree, an Orange County organization that assists grieving families who have lost a child.

The other recipients of PEPP funds this semester were Beta Foster Care, Caterina’s Club, Working Wardrobes and StandUp for Kids.