Students given grant for nonprofit works

Three University of Memphis students were awarded a stipend for their work and achievements during nonprofit internships.

Next Generation Nonprofit Leaders Program awarded 76 students in the nation a $4,500 stipend. Susan Schmidt, executive director of The U of M's Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, said 500 students applied for the award.

"The candidates had to fill out a very competitive, application, which consists of a personal statement and what they expect from each student. Many students around the nation applied for the scholarship, and three under my program were selected," Schmidt said.

The students were all seeking a certificate in nonprofit management and had to work a minimum of 300 hours in a tax-exempt nonprofit organization to receive the stipend, which was given during the student's internship.

Catherine Gianella, senior double major in journalism and Spanish; Artice Carter, senior nonprofit development and administration major and Marissa Genevie Aaker, graduate student in the master's public administration program were The U of M students selected.  

They are all members of The U of M's Nonprofit Leaders Student Association, a program designed to prepare students for careers in the nonprofit field.

The W.K. Kellogg foundation, a national accrediting body of the NLA, funded the students' stipends.

Carter has a part-time internship with Meritan Senior Services, working in marketing.

"The grant will help me with living expenses, since mostly all of the internships are unpaid. This is really a big help," she said.

Gianella said she plans to begin her master's degree in public administration in the fall at The U of M.  She serves as an intern at the Hutchinson's School for Girls and assists with the leadership program facilitation and coordination for girls within the school.

"This award allows me to work with a nonprofit that I'm interested in working with that may not be able to pay me for my time and effort. The support that I receive that supplements my internship is a great benefit as well," she said.