MC Students in Philanthropy award over $25,000 in grants to local nonprofit agenciesMay 15, 2019

On Wednesday, May 1, the Midland College (MC) Students in Philanthropy (SIP) organization hosted the annual Grant Awards Ceremony in the Allison Fine Arts Building Wagner & Brown Auditorium on the Main MC campus. This year, student members raised a total of $15,962.75. The Abell Hanger Foundation provided an additional $10,000, and funds totaling $25,962.75 were invested in 18 nonprofit agencies that do so much to serve West Texas citizens.

The Midland College Students in Philanthropy program was established at Midland College in 1997 by Abell Hanger Foundation to provide student leaders the opportunity to improve the quality of life in the Midland community. In addition to Abell Hanger Foundation, the organization is also supported by Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust, Pevehouse Family Foundation and Warren Charitable Foundation. 

Members learn the importance of philanthropy and the role of nonprofit organizations in the community. Through the fund development and grant-making process, students not only make needed contributions to nonprofit organizations, but also gain leadership and stewardship training through structured curriculum designed to educate, support and promote philanthropic leadership in the community.

Those organization receiving grants this year from the Midland College Students in Philanthropy organization include Agape Counseling, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bynum School, Centers for Children & Families, Communities in Schools, Family Promise, Jubilee Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Midland Fair Havens, Midland Shared Spaces, Mission Health Care, Permian Basin Be the Change, Recording Library of West Texas, Samaritan Counseling Center, Sibley Environmental Learning Center, Teen F.L.O.W. Youth Ministries, The Springboard Center and West Texas Food Bank. SIP members also presented Communities in Schools with the Dr. David E. Daniel Agency Excellence Award and a $1,000 additional grant.

Photo: Midland College 2018-2019 SIP members.  Front row, pictured left to right: Jordan Williams, Tatum Dotson, Reagan Fincher, Mariana Erazo, Evelynn S. Villarreal and Idali Anchondo; second row, pictured left to right:  Affan Ahmed, Krista Ceballos, Crystal Rodriguez, Samantha Napoles, Melody Barraza, Kaizjanae Spencer, Hayley Jones and Midland College SIP Coordinator Luz A. Lopez; back row pictured left to right Lawson Bell and Jacob Edwards.