By: Kendall Tillman, BBA 2017
Our class can now say we have truly learned about what it means to become program officers. With our mission and core values solidified, we have begun preliminary research on our assigned organizations and are in the process of scheduling conference calls for the upcoming week. We have learned the different kinds of proposals we will be receiving from organizations ranging from capital, operating, and programmatic, and discussed our thoughts on each type. One question our class struggled with was: Are capital and operating proposals less meaningful than programmatic? We discussed whether each type of grant would help raise the roof an organization, or simply secure the floor. I don’t think this question is easy to answer, or if there is even an answer. I think reviewing grants given in previous semesters allowed us to see the impact all three types of grants could have and have had on these organizations. I find it extremely encouraging to look back at grant recipients and see the amazing work they are doing with the funds.
A concept that we highlighted in class from our reading in We Make Life by What We Give was the idea that all gifts are important, regardless of their size. Gunderman writes “ A person may write a check in a minute, but the effect of that act may be much less significant than a face-to-face interaction over hours with people in need”. This statement serves as a humble reminder for our class as we act as program officers during the weeks to come. It can be too easy to professionalize what we are doing. Though we will conduct research, perform analysis, and ultimately make decisions, we cannot forget that this process is people-centric.
About the Author: Kendall Tillman is a junior from Houston, Texas. She is majoring in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Spanish. Kendall has a passion for social justice and is actively involved with the International Justice Mission, and SHEisfreedom, a non-profit that seeks to provide a safe house for survivors of DMST.