Students in Non-Profit Business Courses Assist Non-Profit Organization with Marketing Ideas

It was not “business as usual” last semester in two of Professor Carla Fattal’s non-profit business courses at Caldwell College. Case studies traditionally taught through textbooks came to life as the students went to “work” for a real non-profit, Beyond the Walls.

The students took what they were learning about marketing, fundraising and donor relations and applied it to the local 501(c)(3), which serves the poor and disadvantaged in local communities, throughout the country and around the world. They presented their ideas to members of the organization, who provided feedback and opportunities for discussion.

“The collaboration with Beyond the Walls started as an opportunity to turn theory into reality,” said Professor Fattal. “My classes took it one step further by embracing the mission to attract more donors and volunteers to the organization.”

Students in the “Nonprofit Law, Governance and Financial Management” course analyzed the organization’s website and thought of ways to attract new donors. Beyond the Walls also worked with students in the “Marketing, Public Relations and Administration in Nonprofit Organizations” class, which developed new marketing and fundraising strategies.

“It was fun working together as a class,” said Caldwell College student Debra Wickham. “We were able to offer so much more to Beyond the Walls because we each had different ideas that we were able to bounce off each other.”

Ron Hadley of Beyond the Walls agrees that the collaboration was a success for his young, growing non-profit. “The exercise from our perspective was very effective, and the presentations provided a good starting point for discussion. We are putting plans in place to make several of the recommended changes.”

The projects were applied toward the students’ midterm grades, but Professor Fattal is hoping the impact will reach much farther than the classroom. “The hands-on experience was invigorating for the students, and many of them have expressed an interest in continuing to follow the efforts of Beyond the Walls.”