Students in Dr. Timothy Ewest’s Nonprofit Management course have been fundraising for good causes.

“The students experience firsthand the struggle of fundraising through creating awareness of a social issue,” Ewest said. “They find that raising funds is more than a simple, flashy fundraiser. It entails building relationships and using every event to build capacity in the organizations.”

Ewest said the nonprofit classes during the last three years have raised approximately $50,000 and provided 600 volunteer hours, while giving exposure to numerous causes.

“Pretty cool, when you consider the students take information from the class and implement it with only a little coaching,” Ewest said.

Sing Me to Heaven, which helps Iowa low-income families that have recently lost a child pay for funeral expenses, was one of the recipients of support this year. A La Porte City woman who lost a daughter and was unable to pay for the funeral she felt appropriate started the group a year ago.

“For families going through the pain of losing a child, SM2H makes one less thing to think about,” said Taylor Vermie ’12.

Vermie and three other classmates hosted a silent auction for SM2H at the Waverly Country Club April 10. The group gathered donated items from the Waverly community to auction. The event also featured speakers and a performance by a choir.

Vermie said many local businesses were willing to donate items to the auction. Most notably, the group secured a $2,500 donation from Transamerica, the Cedar Rapids-based insurance giant.

“I hope they see how great an organization this is and will continue to support the cause,” Vermie said.

A Walk for Water April 1 on the Waverly Trail benefitted Water to Thrive, which builds wells in rural Ethiopia to provide residents with clean water. Organizers attracted 50 walkers and hope it will become an annual event.

The Hospitality House in Waterloo received support from the Nonprofit Management class through an April 11 raffle, music and refreshments at the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

The largest class event aided the American Cancer Society April 12 at The Center in Waverly with a live band, a dance, a raffle and refreshments. The group collected large prizes for the raffle including a La-Z-Boy recliner. Close to 500 attended.

“These events are about building relationships and using those relationships to raise awareness and commitment to alleviate the social issue,” Ewest said. “I hope that these events teach students they can solve world problems, that they can do something. But more importantly, I hope they become compassionate, caring and engaged.”

Nonprofit management students presented their projects to their host organizations and the public April 17.