Last month, the University of Maryland announced the launch of the campus-wide “Do Good” Initiative to create a hub of activity for philanthropy, nonprofit management, public policy, social change and leadership. Since the announcement, the initiative has been taking off across the University engaging students, staff, faculty and more.
On Sunday, September 25, UMD students, staff, faculty and community members gathered in the Xfinity Center for the Homecoming Service Event to package meals with Terps Against Hunger, to benefit DC-area food banks. Terps Against Hunger is just one of the success stories that stemmed from the Do Good Challenge, through which Terps Against Hunger founder Jonathan Fix received seed funding to kickstart the group.
The following weekend, during the homecoming football game, students, alumni and more lined up to sign the Do Good Pledge and pledged to ‘Do Good.’ People who attended the game also saw a special Do Good sticker on the helmets of all of the UMD football players, a pre-game video and short videos featuring former Do Good Challenge contestants displayed throughout the game including Students Helping Honduras, Terps Against Hunger and Miles for Smiles.
The Do Good Initiative includes the launch of the Do Good Institute to train the next generation of Do Good leaders and establish the University as the first Do Good college campus in the country. The Institute (formerly known as the Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership) serves as the campus-wide hub of social innovation and as a center of research and thought leadership in philanthropy and social change.
“A Do Good campus is all about providing students with the resources, support, courses and education so they can make a huge impact on the cause that they’re passionate about,” says Robert Grimm, director of the Do Good Institute.
Following the success of the homecoming events, another Do Good event was held on October 14. The Do Good Generation special event featured United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During the event, Ban expressed his support for the Do Good Initiative, saying, “The University of Maryland is blazing a trail. From classes where students are creating their own nonprofits and social enterprise ventures to your award-winning food recovery and food access programs to your work on how past discrimination affects present-day Baltimore, you are setting a new standard in philanthropy and leadership for your young people. It’s inspiring to witness all that you are doing.”
Ban went on to deliver an inspirational talk and encouraged students to think beyond themselves. “Passion should always be accompanied with compassion,” he said. “I call on young people to lead the way and be a Do Good generation. Put your energy and values to the best use. Demonstrate your concern about injustice here in your communities and around the world. Think beyond yourselves.”
As the Do Good Initiative continues, the University will see the beginning of the Do Good Accelerator to provide promising Do Good ventures with leadership coaching and mentoring, creative community space, networking opportunities, financial support and educational training; three new faculty endowments to contribute research and further support for the School of Public Policy’s new undergraduate major in public policy and proposed nonprofit and social change leadership minor and focus; and a new headquarters building for the School of Public Policy and Do Good Institute.
Learn more about the Do Good Initiative at dogood.umd.edu.
