Student-led Community Impact Fund Launches

The Community Impact Fund is a student-led philanthropic initiative that encourages taking classroom skills out into the community. 

On Sept. 23, students, staff and faculty gathered in the Dyson Atrium to celebrate the launch of the Community Impact Fund (CIF), a student-led philanthropic initiative that funds local nonprofits in the Hudson Valley.

The CIF allows students to raise money to fund five Hudson Valley nonprofits and one Marist University campus initiative. The nonprofits that will receive funding this year are: Dutchess Outreach, Grace Smith House, Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, Mid Hudson Animal Aid and Unshattered. The on-campus initiative will support the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience, which supports student internships and short-term travel abroad.

Students who are involved with CIF are enrolled in either Strategic Philanthropy (BUS 383) or Nonprofit Leadership and Management (BUS 335). Both classes are taught by Dr. James Melitski, director of the Community Impact Fund. 

Students spent last semester in BUS 383 selecting the organizations. This semester’s students, in BUS 335, are now raising funds for the organizations selected in the spring. The launch event for CIF took place on Sept. 23, as that was the day fundraising began for these nonprofits, despite them being selected in the spring. 

At the end of this semester, all money will be equally divided amongst the six groups. Then the process will begin again in spring 2027, when a new group of students picks different nonprofits.  

The goal of BUS 383 is to evaluate and select local nonprofit organizations. This is done through site visits, financial assessments, external ratings and understanding the nonprofit’s overall mission. By the end of the semester, students will have chosen their five Hudson Valley nonprofits and their campus initiative.

“The organizations that would be selected to be a part of the fund had to be a 501(c)(3), they had to serve the greater community of the Hudson Valley, it could not benefit one individual or one family and finally, the organization had to bring the campus community together,” Melitski said. 

In BUS 335, students communicate the impact of CIF, grow relationships with donors and engage in fundraising. The students are working with the Advancement Office at times to learn how to approach fundraising and gain insight into developing relationships with donors. 

The goal of CIF is to not only fund local organizations, but also to show students how to translate classroom skills into the community. 

“Nonprofits account for 13 million jobs… and contribute 5% to 5.5% of the U.S. GDP," said Beth Veasey, chief financial officer at Marist, at Wednesday's event. “These are meaningful organizations, not just for what they do — for communities, family, individuals — but also in terms of the pride and strength of our environment.”