PD3060: Doing Good Together

Doing Good Together: Student Philanthropy Studio (ART3060 / PD3060) is an interdisciplinary, experiential honors seminar open to students from all majors with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Through a unique partnership with the UC Foundation, The Philanthropy Lab, UHP Honors, DAAP, and CCPS, students will steward and award up to $50,000 to UC and UC Health–affiliated organizations.

This studio-style course immerses students in the full philanthropic process. Students will explore how charitable funds are established and sustained, study donor motivations and gift agreements, research organizations supported by UC Foundation discretionary funds, develop ethical and impact-based criteria for giving, and ultimately make real grant allocation decisions.

The “studio” framework emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and iterative problem-solving. Students move from research to deliberation to implementation, practicing evidence-based decision-making and learning how philanthropy shapes the university and its surrounding communities.

By helping allocate $50,000 in real funds, students gain valuable experience in leadership, communication, teamwork, ethical reasoning, and strategic thinking—skills that enhance their college experience and strengthen résumés, portfolios, and future professional opportunities.

The course’s overarching goal is to develop a new generation of thoughtful, informed philanthropic leaders who understand how to use resources responsibly and creatively to “do good” at UC and beyond.

For Spring 2026, Doing Good Together will return with increased support and partnerships, a new course text, and expanded opportunities for learning and networking.

Doing Good Together received attention from The Philanthropy Lab, a national consortium of 33 university partners engaging students in philanthropic activities. 

Dr. Flávia Bastos, a faculty for the course, was recently recognized by the University of Cincinnati Foundation with the Staff Award of Merit. 

The UC Service-Learning program, housed in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies, is proud to announce the creation of a new service-learning award; the Roger Grein Award for Community Impact.