Here at The Philanthropy Lab we create partnerships with top students and professors from around the country to multiply the resources of our small staff. These partnerships allow us to give away millions of dollars each year with more thought and analysis than we would be able to do otherwise. Students who have completed a Philanthropy Lab course have developed the deep understanding of both the grant-making process and the needs in their communities required to advocate for organizations in need. Now it’s time to put those skills to work in a real-world setting.

Chosen ambassadors will:

• Represent their class as members of The Philanthropy Lab Advisory Board during a three-day conference in Fort Worth
• Network with like-minded peers
• Learn from expert panelists and Philanthropy professionals
• Pitch one of the class’s chosen grantees for further funding
• Debate with other Ambassadors on the Advisory Board to decide how to award $150,000 in grants
• Serve as Ambassadors for The Philanthropy Lab in the future: helping to recruit new students to fulfill The Philanthropy Lab’s mission of distributing a substantial amount of funding to thoughtfully selected organizations worldwide
• Gain real world experience as a Board member for a charitable foundation that can be featured on professional resumes.
• Receive an automatic nomination to serve on the Ambassador Board of the Once Upon a Time Foundation after the conference.
  • Participants have the option to serve on this board which will advise the foundation to disburse $100K in grants during 4 zoom calls a year!

• Participate in 2 mandatory video conference calls prior to the in-person meeting. 
• Attend the weekend conference with students from Philanthropy Lab courses across the country June 20-23, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. Ambassadors will stay on-site at the designated conference hotel and participate in all group activities unless specifically designated as optional.* 
• Nominate and advocate for a nonprofit to receive further funding.
• Review information on all nominated grantees prior to the conference to prepare for presentations and debates.
• Serve on the Philanthropy Lab Advisory Board to select which organization will receive one of four $50,000 grants.

*In recognition of the valuable contribution Ambassadors make by applying their newly honed knowledge and expertise to the grant-making process, The Philanthropy Lab will cover all costs for each ambassador including travel, lodging, and meals.

Students who complete a Philanthropy Lab course at a partner university during the 2023-24 academic year are invited to apply to be an Ambassador. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and decisions will be communicated accordingly.

Thursday

Ambassadors will arrive in Fort Worth, complete registration with Philanthropy Lab staff members, and attend a mixer from 6-9pm. 

Friday

You will hear from the Founder of the Philanthropy Lab and participate in a throught-provoking discussion. Ambassadors will continue their group discussions and grant making sessions. 

Saturday

Expert panelists will share their experiences, insights, and hopes for the future of the philanthropic sector. Ambassadors will also have the opportunity to speak with a former Ambassador currently working in philanthropy in a dedicated Q+A session. 

Sunday

Ambassadors will participate in discussion and finalize their votes to award 3 finalists with their $50,000 grant.