The Issue

Well integrated national and state organizations and networks have been in existence for some time to support service learning efforts at colleges and universities. The goals of these programs varied from those that were strictly pedagogical in nature (i.e., to enhance what students learned in the classroom) to those which had social change as a mission (whether by an institution’s active investment in surrounding communities, or by instilling in students the skills and desire to apply classroom learning to civic improvement).

Clearly missing were comparable organizations and networks to support service learning efforts for nonprofits. Without such support, many nonprofits would find it cumbersome, difficult and expensive to do one or more of the following activities:

1. Assess the value of a service learning partnership.
2. Form a service learning partnership.
3. Implement a service learning partnership.
4. Evaluate a service learning partnership.