CLSES shines through Beyond the Check

Author’s note: “Beyond the Check: The Patterson Foundation’s Approach to Innovative Philanthropy” is a virtual, one-credit, six-week course taught by The Patterson Foundation’s President and CEO, Debra Jacobs, through the Advancing Philanthropic Leadership Initiative and partnership with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The course took place from October to December 2023. Read more about the topics here.

Throughout my fellowship, which began in Summer 2022, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and practice The Patterson Foundation’s (TPF) approaches daily. With over a year of high-touch experience, I was asked to manage the “Beyond the Check: The Patterson Foundation’s Approach to Innovative Philanthropy” course with lead instruction from TPF President and CEO Debra Jacobs.

TPFers know well how many approaches, fondly called TPF’s 5s, are weaving through over 20+ initiatives and projects. Even with a year of TPF experience, I am still learning every day how innovative philanthropy catalyzes change. How were we going to fit everything into a six-week course with space for engagement while ensuring ample time for concept understanding?!

With trusted leadership from Debra Jacobs, skillful support from Donna Puhalovich, invaluable educator experience from Andrew Spector, and detailed management from myself, the course successfully explored TPF’s unique nature and each of the approaches all within a safe and authentic space for connecting, learning, sharing, evolving, and strengthening. To amplify several class sessions, TPF staff and consultants, including Michael Corley, Beth Duda, and Cheri Coryea, joined as guest lecturers- each bringing unique styles and providing real examples of how TPF works across four counties with experts from many sectors and fields.

Students found value in the interactive course structure, with the opportunity to explore organizational culture, connect with colleagues across the nation, and think critically about how TPF’s approaches could be used both personally and professionally. This joyful experience even provided a new challenge for me professionally with course objectives and lesson planning, which granted me a new perspective as an alumna of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy bachelor and graduate degree programs. As TPF shared cookies through this course, Andrew Spector said it best- students are able to take the best-tasting cookies and make their own flavor to best fit their current environment.

As Beyond the Check 2023 closes with final grade submissions, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked collaboratively with many TPFers and listen to experiences from LFSOP students. The partnership between TPF and LFSOP to support fellows, interns, and students on their philanthropic educational and leadership journey is exemplary.