4 nonprofits split $64K in grants from Sacred Heart University
Four nonprofit organizations — Causa Local, Memoria DeColonial, Centro de la Mujer Dominicana, and Niños de Nueva Esperanza — have each been awarded $16,000 in grants as part of the “Social Change: Philanthropy Lab” course at San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Sacred Heart University).
The $64,000 total in funding marks a tangible outcome of a unique academic experience that merges philanthropy education with hands-on decision-making.
The grants support initiatives in the areas of environment, domestic violence, mental health, and economic development. The course, taught by Anitza Cox-Marrero in at the university’s School of Business, is the only one of its kind in Puerto Rico and is part of the broader Philanthropy Lab program, a U.S. initiative that partners with 22 universities.
“The course’s transformative capacity is impressive,” said Cox-Marrero. “Students not only learn the theory and practice of philanthropy, but also gain insights into governance, leadership, and strategic thinking. More importantly, it allows them to envision themselves as agents of change.”
Throughout the semester, 14 students acted as philanthropic boards, drafting calls for proposals, evaluating 43 submissions and ultimately awarding grants. The experience was funded by donations from the Titín Foundation and the DARJO Foundation, which provided the grants for the selected nonprofits.
“One of the most valuable lessons for our students has been understanding the critical role of philanthropic organizations in funding important social projects and experiencing firsthand the significant fiduciary responsibility of managing third-party funds,” said university President Gilberto J. Marxuach-Torrós.
Two students will also travel to Texas to present the funded projects alongside peers from other universities in The Philanthropy Lab network, with the potential to secure further support for their selected organizations.
