GivingU class doesn’t feel like school, and it isn’t a lecture. It’s a conversation — real, unpolished, and honest. For 8 weeks, you’ll step into a space where generosity gets redefined — what it means, what it costs, and the impact it can actually have in people’s lives.
Whether you attend our live, interactive sessions in person or online, you’ll spend about 2 hours a week with peers, mentors, and experienced givers who’ve seen both the best and worst of nonprofits.
Every class, every trip, and every resource is covered by Giving University. Including $1,000 you’ll get from GivingU to donate to a nonprofit that matches your passion and meets the standards you’ve learned.
Most of us want to give. Few of us know how to give well. The reality is the same dollar given to one nonprofit can have twice the impact — or half the impact — depending on how the organization is run. Telling the diference is why GivingU created this 11-section course:
We’re here to raise impact — not money. GivingU equips you with the mindset and tools to make your generosity smarter and stronger.
Generosity is more than giving away what’s left over. It’s giving something you truly value, in a way that brings lasting dignity and opportunity to someone else.
Real giving starts with personal alignment. You’ll identify the causes and people who matter most to you — not what’s trending or glossy.
Learn how to read a nonprofit’s IRS 990 form, ask tough questions, and spot red flags. You’ll practice evaluating real organizations, learning what types deserve your support — and which ones don’t.
“I don’t have enough” … “It won’t make a difference” … “I don’t trust charities” — we’ll wrestle with reasons people don’t give. And teach you ways to respond that protect your generosity.
Generosity doesn’t mean saying “Yes” to every request. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, practice discernment, and avoid giving out of guilt. Saying “No” to the wrong causes helps you say “Yes” to impactful ones.
Through stories, stats, and sometimes direct encounters, you’ll get a clear-eyed look at poverty — both local and global. Poverty becomes less of an abstract idea and more of a human reality, reshaping how you view privilege, need, and responsibility.
By examining trauma, mental health, and substance abuse – and how they can lead to homelessness – you’ll learn why quick fixes rarely work. Then using real data and human stories, you’ll discover how early trauma shapes lives, how healing happens through safety and relationships, and how generosity can support long-term recovery.
You’ll learn how your personal finances – saving, spending, and debt – directly affect your ability to be generous.
From guilt to joy, obligation to passion — motivations for generosity are complex. You’ll examine what drives giving, and how to make sure your own reasons fuel long-term impact.
Classroom learning is only the beginning — graduates can travel cost-free with GivingU to see nonprofits in action. Students often admit they sign up for the adventure, but what stays with them is the joy of service, the dignity of the communities they meet, and the real grants they steward along the way.
You’ll know what causes matter most to you.
You’ll recognize the difference between glossy marketing pitches and organizations that truly move the needle.
You’ll ask better questions before you give — and feel good about saying "No" when a nonprofit doesn’t measure up.
Many describe a deeper gratitude, empathy, and even healing as they step outside their comfort zones.
Seeing need up close – locally and abroad – changes how you see the world and your place in it.