Group of young people holding a giant check

Pay It Forward

A service-learning experience in which students are able to make a positive impact in the Marion community.
  • $65,000 given back to the Marion community
  • 300+ students involved
  • $37,000 total raised by students' fundraising

Objectives

  • Provide students a real-world purpose for their work in an English course 
  • Build students’ awareness of local issues and connect them with local non-profit organizations making a positive impact
  • Help students experience the reward and responsibilities of philanthropy
  • Build engaged citizens 

Courses

English 2367.01S is a second-level writing, service- learning course in which students oversee a competitive grant process. Working with the United Way of North Central Ohio, they accept and evaluate applications from local non-profits. They learn about the problems in Marion, meet with local organizations to research what each organization does to help improve those problems in the community, write arguments, and debate to reach a funding decision. Finally, they present the grant awards at a celebration. 

English 3304, Business and Professional Writing: Working in teams, students use their marketing, writing, and communication skills to run a Buckeyefunder crowdfunding campaign to raise money to sustain the Pay It Forward grant funds.