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Capstone Reflection Learning Outcome #6: Articulating philanthropic values, civic identity, and
strategies for increasing capacity to take action.

Ashley Lynne Elsey

PHST-P 450 Capstone in Philanthropic Studies
25 February 2019
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In the undergraduate program for philanthropic studies, there are a set of 6 learning out-

comes each student is meant to succeed in over the program.. The sixth learning outcome in the

program is “Articulating philanthropic values, civic identity, and strategies for increasing capaci-

ty to take action” This outcome has four significant elements that are to be achieved. To demon-

strate my learning of the sixth outcome I will use the artifacts; Philanthropic Autobiography revi-

sion, Boys & Girls Club Photo, Professional and Personal Plan, and Individual Project.

In Dr.Freeman’s course, P450 Capstone, I achieved the 1b component of the sixth out-

come, which is the ability to describe one’s own philanthropic autobiography. In the assignment

Philanthropic Autobiography Revision, I was tasked with telling my philanthropic story and re-

vealing things about myself as a graduating student in the Philanthropic Studies program. In it I

wrote, “As far back as I can remember I believed that we world could be a wonderful place, and

since I knew of world suffering, my purpose to heal was laid before me. My philanthropic story

happens in my relationship with God, relationship with nature, relationship with inner city youth,

and my husband”(Elsey, 2019, pg. 1). Writing this revision of my philanthropic story revealed to

be how much my values and passions play into my vocation. In revising, I realized how my ex-

periences lead me to inner city youth work, “By my third year at university I found myself com-

pletely in love with this sector that saw parts of society that needed fixed, and went about fixing

them. I especially loved anything that invested in inner city youth and gave them longterm rela-

tionship in valuable ways” (Elsey, 2017, p. 3). Writing my philanthropic autobiography revision

in Capstone helped me understand myself and how I relate to the world around me in purpose

and service.
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The next component of the sixth outcome is 1c; Identifying career options that align with

one’s philanthropic values and civic identity. To demonstrate my understanding of this compo-

nent I will reflect on my Boys and Girls Club Program internship. In the photo artifact from this

internship which pictures Isaiah, who is winning youth of the year for all of Indianapolis. He was

a student I mentored and reached our high goals of older age youth empowerment. This photo is

emotional for me, in that I was working closely with Boys and Girls club in program creation

and incentive programs that not only empower youth, but equip them with longterm achieve-

ments. This photo showed me how equipped I am to do youth work ranging from program de-

velopment, youth empathetic concern, leadership training, and volunteer coordination.

The third component of the sixth learning outcome is 1d, “Examining personal and pro-

fessional experiences related to philanthropy through coursework, reflection, and feedback from

others.” In Philanthropy, Calling and Community with Prof. Jeavons I worked on a Professional

and Personal Plan which reflected on past philanthropic experience to contribute to a vision of

my life. I said “As a woman whose two main hobbies are outdoor recreation and art, their is a

level of expected romantic revelations that I plan to face in my life. In every stage of life I hope

to be evolving my mind and mediums of creative expression. This is vital to my involvement in

my church community in the coming years.” (Elsey, 2016, pg. 1). At this point in life I was writ-

ing my vision based on the work and volunteer experiences I had already had. I stated “Also un-

der the umbrella category of my professional plan include my partnerships that are being nour-

ished now”… “ I also plan on partnering in financial and fundraising support with my best

friends Kaitlin Whiteside who is making an organization that gives mentorship to christian

women who are new widows or subject to domestic abuse. In these partnerships I hope to aid
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them in their manifestation of their own passions” (Elsey, 2015, pg 4). This artifact called me to

reflect on my academic and professional experience, and use that to define myself and create vi-

sion for my life.

The last component of the sixth outcome is 1e; generating and describing ideas and

strategies for addressing philanthropic issues. For this component I choose to reflect on my Prin-

ciples of Sustainability course, SPEA V222 with Prof. Paine. In this course we had to evaluate

our community for one substantial need, and find a way to create a solution through community

support. I decided to do a community garden and plan a facebook page with interactive meet ups

on local sustainable promotion. I wrote, “The finances to maintain a lawn with no benefit but

aesthetics was the biggest issue I saw in my neighborhood” … “To address this issue, I decided

to create a community garden with our neighborhoods’ extra lot of land where neighbors can

learn about heathy and conscious living” (Elsey, 2015, pg. 1). By applying my early concepts of

civic engagement and community based giving I said “This will make gardening and community

involvement the fad of neighborhoods in my area, giving unlimited room to start talking about

social and environmental responsibility in effort to transforming the culture” (Elsey, 2015, p. 2).

I did this project early in my college career but it reveals something that stuck with me through-

out my learning; that we are all capable to coming up with and implementing strategies for solv-

ing philanthropic issues.

Across courses in the last four years, I discovered my value system and through course

work and community experience, I have discovered myself as a philanthropist. My affinity for

the sector has increased as I realized how attainable philanthropic strategies are. This outcome is

the culmination of my academics and professional accomplishment.

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Works Cited

Elsey, Ashley. Philanthropic Autobiography Revision. Spring 2019. PHST-P450.

Elsey, Ashley. Individual Project. Fall 2015. SPEA-V222.

Elsey, Ashley. Boys and Girls Club Photo. Spring 2019.

Elsey, Ashley. Personal and Professional Plan. 2016. PHST-P 362.