Learning by Giving applied in an upper-level course on the Economics of Altruism, Philanthropy, and Nonprofit Organizations

The author of this article describes a form of service learning called “learning by giving,” as applied in a course on the Economics of Altruism, Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations. The motivation for employing such a model is described, and a detailed description of the course and how to use the Learning by Giving model in a semester-long project is offered. Along with identifying important logistical considerations for successful implementation, the author includes insights on the broader implications of this type of service learning applied to economic instruction, considering the value to the student, instructor, nonprofit partner, and the profession.