HWS News
6 May 2026 • Alums • Service Philanthropy in Action
Made possible by a grant from the Gantcher Family Foundation, students donate $25,000 to local organizations.
Students in “Philanthropy in Action: Nonprofits, Philanthropy and Giving” were given a significant responsibility this semester. At the end of 13 weeks, the class would have to decide how to allocate $25,000 in real grant funding provided by the Gantcher Family Foundation.
On HWS Day, the selected organizations and students in the course came together on campus for a check presentation and celebration.
Mike Gantcher ’92 addresses the class and grant recipients. 
Mike was joined by his wife Christina Gantcher P’27. His father Nathan Gantcher P’92, GP ’27 joined by Zoom.
William “Billy” Gantcher ’27 served as the Teaching Assistant for the class. He was part of the 2025 cohort of the “Philanthropy in Action” course, who donated $25,000 to Geneva organizations supporting children.
The course, co-taught by President Mark D. Gearan, Executive Director of Leadership and Community Engagement and Centennial Center for Leadership Katie Flowers and Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage, asked students to think deeply about the responsibility that comes with philanthropy. Over several months, they examined the ethics, logistics and potential impact of charitable giving, before finally selecting organizations to fund.
Students could make one donation of $25,000 or split the amount between multiple organizations.
Ultimately, the class dispersed the funds across several critical areas, supporting natural resources, human dignity and the economic viability of the region. They selected Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency, Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Geneva Business Improvement District (BID) and Seneca Pure Waters Association.
“Students had the challenging task of winnowing down the list from $350,000 of requests to $25,000 in funds. They had to think carefully about how to make a difference and how to engage resources wisely. It was a learning opportunity for all of us. And the opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the Gantcher Family Foundation, to whom we’re very grateful,” says President Gearan.
“This class gave us the opportunity to go beyond the proposal and interview the people who are doing the work. The passion and emotion really shone through. As a Geneva native, I’m so grateful for the work they do to make our community stronger,” says Gavin Brignall ’27.
Staff shared how they will use the funds to expand and deepen their impact.
Seneca Pure Waters will use the funds for emergency flooding events, supporting infrastructure that mitigates runoff and nutrient loading in the lake. “This course is a textbook example of empowerment. The Gantcher family has empowered students and the students have in turn empowered us. HWS students are setting an example on Seneca Lake, that what happens on the lake affects everyone. You guys care and you understand that we’re all in this together,” Associate Director Benjamin Klein says.
EVP of Clinical Operations at Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency Jason Briggs shared the funds will be used to expand their reach. “I want to thank the students and HWS community deeply for your support. We work with people who are often stigmatized or looked down on. This work brings them care.”
Geneva BID will use their grant for their First Friday Series, bringing live music downtown. “Our goal at the BID is to create something for everyone,” Director Sydney Schumacher says. “This partnership is really important and exciting because it goes toward removing that tiny invisible dividing line between campus and the Geneva community.”
At Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Victim Advocate Mario Telarico says, “These funds will be used directly to remove barriers and help us reach people at the source in domestic violence situations.”
