As part of its Resilient Philanthropy series, Foundant recently hosted a conversation with three scholarship providers about what they learned during the pandemic and how they used that information to create greater impact for the students they serve. This blog post is the first in a three-part series that will highlight lessons learned and promising practices.
Despite the devastation it has wrought for millions of Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic served to spotlight the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Similarly, students’ needs have been further illuminated, offering scholarship providers an opportunity to adapt and better meet these needs. Foundant client Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), for example, responded by developing a COVID-19 emergency fund to help support student resilience during the pandemic.
Watch the webinar Foundant recently hosted with TMCF and other scholarship providers to hear more about their experiences and lessons learned. Also read the following summary of TMCF’s recommended process for building responsive, resilient student support.
Gather Information
Start by listening and learning from those you serve. TMCF learned a great deal about its applicants by asking questions, such as “Tell us about your current financial circumstances.” and “How have things changed for you during the pandemic?”
Look for Trends
Once you have gathered information, analyze it more closely. What are you learning? Are the same issues being repeatedly reported? TMCF applicants consistently described needing laptops and reliable internet access to make the transition to online learning. When students also reported loss of jobs, income, and work hours, the TMCF team understood that those applicants would struggle to afford the required technology.
Brainstorm Solutions
After identifying trends, consider how your program or organization might assist. Brainstorm ideas that align with your organizational mission, vision, and values; budget; staff capacity; and timelines. Like TMCF, you might determine that you can offer additional support to meet student needs. This could be as part of an existing award or program, or a new, standalone opportunity. You might also realize that it would be better for your organization to put such an initiative in place down the road, or to work with a partner organization.
Create a Pilot Opportunity
Sometimes it’s best to start small. A pilot program allows for greater information collection and can let you hone and refine your model. TMCF briefly offered its initial COVID-19 emergency fund opportunity in April 2020. Within just a few days, they learned a great deal about the demand for immediate funding for unexpected expenses and the types of items students were struggling to afford.
Evaluate Your Results
Following your initial pilot program, assess how things went. Did you meet student needs? What were the outcomes? Did anything surprise you? After exhausting the funding for their first emergency fund opportunity, the TMCF team considered the number of requests, dollar amounts requested, specific expenses incurred, and whether the quick infusion of funding allowed students to continue with their schooling (among other data points). They determined there was a definite need for support, and more thorough analysis led them to understand that while the maximum award amount seemed sound, the expense categories should be expanded to include health care costs such as mental health counseling. In follow-up surveys, many students said the support helped them persist through the Spring 2020 semester, making the difference TMCF had sought.
Institutionalize Successful Programming
If you realize your desired outcomes and positively impact students, consider expanding your initial efforts or creating a longer-term initiative. A second or third iteration might look different from the first, depending on what you learn during your evaluation. TMCF continued to offer additional COVID-19 emergency fund opportunities throughout 2020 and 2021, though each subsequent offering was adjusted based on what they learned in previous cycles.
Learn More
Also read the next two blogs in the series for more practical advice from fellow scholarship providers:
- Building Student Resilience into Scholarship Program Management
- Students as Changemakers: One Scholarship Approach to Creating Resilient Programming
Also watch a recent educational webinar, Increasing Access for All Students through Data-Driven Practices, co-hosted by National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) and Foundant Technologies (click the link in the slide deck to access the video recording).
Jennifer Alleva
Jennifer Alleva is the Chief Executive Officer at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), a leading provider of nonprofit accounting services and #65 on Accounting Today’s list of Top 100 accounting firms.
Jennifer brings over three decades of expertise in accounting and leadership to her role as CEO of YPTC. A graduate of Boston College and a Certified Public Accountant, Jennifer joined YPTC in 2003 following a career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen and serving as Director of Finance and CFO for several companies. Jennifer was named YPTC Partner in 2007 and served as YPTC Managing Partner from 2018 to 2024.
As an advocate for excellence in nonprofit financial management, Jennifer has dedicated herself to educating Executive Directors and Board members on best practices in the field. Her commitment to advancing the accounting profession and nonprofit sector is reflected in her tenure as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute, her frequent speaking engagements on nonprofit financial management issues, and her role as the founder of the Women in Nonprofit Leadership Conference in Philadelphia.
When Jennifer joined YPTC in 2003, the firm consisted of just over 10 staff members. Since then, she has helped grow YPTC into one of the fastest growing accounting firms in the country. Throughout this growth, Jennifer has fostered countless opportunities for staff members to grow and expand their skills, contributing to YPTC’s consistent recognition as a Best Place to Work.
Jennifer’s passion for promoting the nonprofit’s mission-driven work extends beyond her professional endeavors. She has served as Treasurer of the Board for Catholic Partnership Schools in Camden, NJ, and has served on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Jennifer was a charter member of South Jersey Impact100, an organization dedicated to philanthropy and community impact. And, in 2021, Jennifer launched the Mission Business Podcast, which spotlights professionals and narratives from the nonprofit sector.
Jennifer Alleva’s leadership, expertise, and commitment to the nonprofit sector have not only contributed to Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s significant growth, but have also advanced the field of nonprofit financial management. Through her professional achievements and community involvement, Jennifer continues to empower those dedicated to positivelyimpacting the world.
This blog is an original work of the attributed author. It is shared with permission via Foundant Technologies’ website for informative purposes only as part of our educational content in the social good sector. This text’s views, thoughts, and opinions belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect Foundant’s stance on this topic.