Giving 2.0: The MOOC

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/philanthropist

Introduction

**Course Review: Giving 2.0: The MOOC** **Overview:** In an increasingly complex world where societal challenges abound, the need for meaningful philanthropy has never been more pressing. "Giving 2.0: The MOOC," offered by Stanford University, is a transformative online course designed to empower individuals to enhance their philanthropic efforts. It encourages participants to rethink their approach to giving—not merely as an act of generosity, but as a strategic endeavor that maximizes impact and effectiveness. **Course Structure:** The course provides a comprehensive syllabus spread across several modules, each designed to guide the learner through the critical aspects of effective philanthropy. Below, I summarize each module for better clarity: 1. **Introduction to Philanthropy:** This module kicks off the learning journey by prompting participants to examine their historical giving patterns and encouraging them to adopt fresh perspectives on philanthropy. It challenges learners to think strategically about their contributions to create a lasting difference. 2. **Philanthropic Strategy:** Here, course participants delve into crafting an effective philanthropic strategy. With a focus on identifying issue areas and understanding the landscape of social or environmental challenges, students learn to construct a theory of change and select high-impact intervention strategies. 3. **Nonprofit Selection and Assessment:** This module equips learners with essential tools and metrics to assess various nonprofits efficiently. Participants gain insights on conducting thorough research and evaluating organizations, enabling them to make informed decisions about where to allocate their resources. 4. **Taking Stock:** Reflecting on available resources to enhance their philanthropic endeavors is the focus of this module. Learners are encouraged to consider their time, skills, experiences, and network in order to maximize their giving potential. 5. **Giving with Greater Meaning:** In this engaging module, participants explore diverse ways to leverage their unique assets for greater impact. Guest speakers, who are experts in various fields of philanthropy, share their insights and experiences, offering invaluable perspectives. 6. **Philanthropy – the Never-Ending Gift:** The course culminates with reflections on personal progress and strategies to maintain connections with fellow participants and the course content beyond the classroom. This ongoing engagement is crucial for fostering a continued commitment to impactful giving. **Why You Should Take This Course:** "Giving 2.0: The MOOC" serves as a vital resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of philanthropy and implement more effective giving strategies. Whether you are a seasoned philanthropist or new to the concept of giving, this course offers indispensable tools to navigate the philanthropic landscape confidently. Participants can expect to leave the course with: - A clear understanding of how to strategically approach philanthropy. - Practical tools to assess and select nonprofits that align with their values and impact goals. - A network of like-minded individuals dedicated to the cause of bettering society. **Recommendation:** I wholeheartedly recommend "Giving 2.0: The MOOC" for anyone passionate about making a difference or exploring new philanthropic avenues. The course is well-structured, informative, and led by experienced instructors who provide real-world insights. Whether you're looking to give back to your community, support global initiatives, or deepen your understanding of social issues, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to make your philanthropic efforts more meaningful and impactful. Embrace the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and fellow learners on this rewarding journey towards effective giving!

Syllabus

Introduction to Philanthropy

Learners will examine how to approach their giving in new ways, why they have given historically and how they – through strategy and planning – can give in a way that matters more.

The goal of this module is to study the tools used to craft a philanthropic strategy. Learners will be guided through issue area selection, the theory of change framework, how to assess a social or environmental issue’s landscape and how to pick a high-impact intervention strategy.

This module will empower learners to efficiently assess any nonprofit through a variety of tools, metrics and perspectives. Course participants will learn how to research and engage with nonprofits, as well as conduct a comprehensive nonprofit assessment.

Learners will reflect on all of the resources they can access and/or deploy in order to realize their full giving potential.

This module centers on discovering the many, diverse ways course participants can leverage their unique philanthropic resources to create the impact they want to have. We have numerous guest speakers sharing their expertise in this module – review the lessons that interest you before moving on to module 6.

Learners will take stock of their progress over the course and learn how to stay connected with the course content and their fellow course participants moving forward.