Hobart and William Smith Colleges

10 March 2025 • Alums • Service Gantcher Family Foundation Funds Student-Led Grant Program

A grant from the Gantcher Family Foundation gives students the opportunity to make a tangible impact.

This semester, students enrolled in Nonprofit Organizations, Philanthropy and Impact are taking a hands-on approach to charitable giving. Thanks to the generosity of Mike ’92 and Christina Gantcher P'27 and the Gantcher Family Foundation, the class has been entrusted with $20,000 to donate by the end of the semester. Students can choose to make one lump sum donation or distribute multiple smaller grants. The experience immerses students in the world of philanthropy, deepening their understanding and, hopefully, inspiring a lifelong commitment to impactful giving.

Throughout the semester, students participate in discussions, visit sites, and engage with nonprofit leaders, donors and trustees. They assess organizational impact, examine ethical considerations and navigate the real-world complexities of strategic giving.

The course is co-taught by President Mark D. Gearan and Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Katie Flowers.

“We are deeply grateful to Mike and Christina for their generosity and vision in making this course possible,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “This class is challenging students to think critically, collaborate, and reflect on how to create meaningful change, a lesson they will carry with them long after graduation.”

Recently, Mike and Christina Gantcher visited class to share their philanthropic philosophy and reflect on why they chose to fund this initiative. They underscored that giving is more than just financial support, it also requires critical thinking and a sense of personal responsibility.

“These students may not be in a position to give away money for a while, but if they catch the giving bug, they’ll have the knowledge that comes from trial and error. These are insights that most people don’t get until they’ve been through it themselves,” Mike Gantcher reflects.

An essential element of the course is student agency in distributing the funds. Whether they choose to award one large grant or multiple smaller ones, they must carefully consider the impact of their choices.

“Deciding where this money goes requires deep reflection,” Mike Gantcher says. “What societal challenges matter most to you? One student may prioritize food insecurity, while another focuses on environmental sustainability. With limited resources, you have to weigh the difference between making a $1,000 gift, a $5,000 gift, or investing the entire $20,000 into a single organization.”

Beyond the classroom, Gantcher hopes students develop a lifelong appreciation for philanthropy, whether they pursue careers in the nonprofit sector, or find ways to support causes they care about through time, talent or treasure. He believes Geneva is an ideal setting for building this foundation. 

“What better laboratory to learn from than Geneva, New York? It has a mix of challenges and opportunities. There are urban issues like those in New York City, agricultural concerns faced by farmers, and environmental issues tied to lakes and waterways. Over the course of the semester, students will get to talk to really smart people who are thinking about how they can solve these issues,” Mike says.

The students’ work will culminate in an allocation ceremony at the annual Community Engaged Scholarship Reception on April 23, when they will present the selected nonprofit(s) with the funding.

For students, the course is proving to be both inspiring and transformative. “I quickly fell in love with this class. Not only because we are directly contributing to meaningful and impactful change, but also because I get to hear from individuals sharing their experiences and missions,” says Hailee Catalano ’25. “And being in the classroom with Katie Flowers and President Mark Gearan is a privilege.”

“This course resonates with my passion for serving and giving back to the community,” says Guarldiard Cyriaque Mentor ’25, who recently coordinated a fundraiser for Ovid, N.Y., after a devastating fire. She credits the class with inspiring her to take action.

“Lessons learned in class directly shaped the Ovid fundraiser, emphasizing the importance of site visits,” she says. “I went to Ovid to see the fire’s impact firsthand. This is just one of the many lessons I will carry into my future career in the social sector.”

The Gantcher Family Foundation is funding the Nonprofit Organizations, Philanthropy, and Impact course for four years, with potential renewal based on student interest and decision-making. The Gantchers will evaluate success based on students' engagement and community impact, mirroring the course's focus on assessment.

“We believe it’s essential to provide students with this experience, giving them the gift of philanthropy to enrich their lives and the lives of others,” he says.

In the photo above, Mike Gantcher and Professor Emeritus of Economics Patrick McGuire L.H.D.’12 visit class in Coxe Hall.