Rockefeller Student Philanthropists Award $10K to Unity House of Troy
ALBANY, N.Y. (July 15, 2024) — After a semester-long project, Associate Professor Susan Appe’s Spring 2024 Private Philanthropy, Public Problems and Power undergraduate students awarded $10,000 to the nonprofit Unity House in Troy, N.Y. The class also distributed $250 each to Planned Parenthood in Troy, N.Y. and Jazzy Sun Birthdays in Albany, N.Y.
The Student Philanthropy Fund at Rockefeller College seeks to advance student learning by allowing students to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations as part of coursework in which they learn about philanthropy and the essential role nonprofit organizations play in building vibrant communities. Its mission is to contribute to students' preparation for engaged citizenship and as public service professionals, to develop philanthropists with integrity who will work in communities and continue to benefit our world, and to build relationships with and fund nonprofits across local communities. The Fund is in partnership with the Learning by Giving Foundation (2020-2024), as well as funded through the generous donations of private donors.
Throughout the Spring 2024 semester, Professor Appe’s students divided into teams to research the missions, projects, and impacts of select local nonprofit organizations. They then presented their findings, discussed as a class, and ultimately selected the awardees.
Unity House
Unity House’s mission is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people living in poverty, adults with mental illness, victims of domestic violence, children with developmental delays and their families, people living with HIV/AIDS, and others whose needs can effectively be met by Unity House services and philosophy. The nonprofit helps individuals identify their strengths and needs, draw upon their abilities, and access community resources. In addition, Unity House educates, collaborates with others, and advocates to influence public policy and to create awareness of the people it serves and the issues they face.
Through research and deliberation, Professor Appe’s class concluded that Unity House could greatly benefit from the $10,000 donation and continue its mission of “making life better.” The students were impressed by the work being done to actively address poverty and homelessness in the Capital Region, including facilities that provide safe spaces and shelter, Unity House’s collaboration with other local organizations, as well as its community outreach to address social issues and raise community morale.
David L. Bach, CEO of Unity House and Rockefeller College MPA program alumnus, was pleased and thankful with the news of the award. “We are grateful to the class for the generous gift,” said Bach. “More importantly, we thank Rockefeller College for offering a class that helps to instill the importance and understanding behind philanthropy to its students.”
Professor Susan Appe commended this semester’s results, stating, “The students were adamant about supporting a local organization that used multiple prongs to address the root causes of poverty. UAlbany students in the class were deliberate, thorough, and caring in their research of local public programs and local organizations working to alleviate them — Unity House’s mission rose to the top when they were making their decision.”
The Student Philanthropy Fund, through the Rockefeller College courses RPAD R527: Philanthropy and Civil Society and RPAD 399: Private Philanthropy, Public Problems and Power has distributed $52,295 to nonprofit organizations in the Capital Region and beyond from 2019 through Spring 2024.
Spring 2024
- $10,000 to Unity House, Troy, N.Y.
- $250 to Planned Parenthood in Troy, N.Y.
- $250 to Jazzy Sun Birthdays in Albany, N.Y.
- $10,000 to In Our Own Voices in Albany, N.Y.
- $4,000 to Soul Fire Farm in Petersburg, N.Y.
- $1,000 to The MoonCatcher Project in Schenectady, N.Y.
- $250 to Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) in Albany, N.Y.
- $250 to Shatterproof in Norwalk, Conn.
- $1,665 to The MoonCatcher Project in Schenectady, N.Y.
- $1,665 to The Connect Center in Cohoes, N.Y.
- $1,665 to Homeless and Travelers Aid Society in Albany, N.Y.
- $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region in Albany, N.Y.
- $100 to The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham, N.Y.
- $100 to BronxWorks in New York, N.Y.
- $2,000 to Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund in Albany, N.Y.
- $500 to Albany Damien Center in Albany, N.Y.
- $500 to Jajja's Kids in Latham, N.Y.
- $3,000 to Commission on Economic Opportunities in Troy, N.Y.
- $1,000 to Youth FX in Albany, N.Y.
- $500 to The MoonCatcher Project in Schenectady, N.Y.
The Student Philanthropy Fund is supported by Rockefeller alumni, private individuals, and the Learning by Giving Foundation. You can support the fund with a donation. Nonprofits interested in being considered for future funds should contact Susan Appe, PhD ([email protected]) for more information.