Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation

August 21, 2017 – December 14, 2017

PHST-P 490

Stephani Green
 Table of Contents

1. Form 1- Internship Site Information

2. Form 2- Internship Learning Contract and Learning Plan

3. Form 3- Student Evaluation

4. Form 4- Site Supervisor Evaluation

5. Deal Reflections 1- 6

6. Product Examples of Work at Internship

7. Final Reflection
 Learning Plan for Fall 2017 Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation Internship

Stephani Green

From August 21, 2017 to December 14, 2017, I will work as an intern for the Bosma

Visionary Opportunities Foundation. It is my hope that I will learn many valuable skills

working within the organization. The following are three learning outcomes, with two

strategies for action, that I wish to achieve by the end of my internship.

1) Understanding the role of Bosma Enterprises as a nonprofit organization and how the

organization's mission impacts the visually impaired community.

A) Meeting and working with individuals to learn more about the historical background

of the organization.

B) Meet and work with the Head of Program Services to learn more about the clients that

are served across the entire state.

2) Understanding how to communicate effectively with potential donors and constituents.

A) Work with Internship Supervisor or Gifts Manager to learn about the processes

involved as well as sit on meetings with donors and constituents if possible.

B) Participate in the grant writing process.

3) Understanding how to use my own problem-solving skills to bring effective solutions to

teams I will work with within the organization.

A) Participate on committees for specific events.

B) Perform tasks given by Internship Supervisor.

FORM 4 Still has not been returned to me by my site supervisor. We met and discussed what

she had so far but was not done with the complete evaluation.
 DEAL Reflection #1

September 11, 2017

Stephani Green

DESCRIBE

For the last two weeks, at my internship, I have been involved with many different tasks.

My very first day consisted of going through many documents to learn more about the

organization. I traveled to the rehab center to learn more about the programs side of Bosma

Enterprises, which is directly funded by the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation. I have

also been given the task of searching for grant opportunities and have spent a lot of my time

searching foundation directory online to find specific grants that correlate with the mission of the

foundation. Each week I’m to discuss my findings with my supervisor and given direction to

apply for the available grants. Another task given to me is that of developing a survey to send to

constituents of the foundation’s business honor roll program, a sponsorship program that

correlates with the three major events for Bosma. My supervisor created this program 4 years

ago. My job is to send out the survey to the 85 individuals as well as to receive the data and

present my findings.

EXAMINE

The grant searching process was frustrating because there was so much information to

sort and sift through. Most grants that related to the organization were either funded by

foundations or entities that were only serving a specific area or they were organizations that

didn’t allow opportunities for solicitation. I was successful in fulfilling the activity for the two

weeks. It will be an ongoing project throughout the duration of the internship. I found two grant
opportunities that my supervisor wants me to apply for. I believe my diligence to sift through the

information and understanding what to search for really helped me to accomplish this task

successfully.

ARTICULATE LEARNING

I am learning more about myself through this internship. First, I have learned that I thrive

well when I have lots of tasks to accomplish. I can prioritize well and get the tasks done in order

of importance. I also am learning that when I don’t have a lot of tasks to perform, especially if

I’ve finished them all, then I become less productive. Typically, I can take initiative and find a

task to perform. But I’m learning that there are not many things I have access to for the

internship that the IT department is working on making happen. There seems to be some issue

with confidentiality and donor information. My supervisor is working to change this so that I

have more tasks to help with. I believe my P 212 course relates to my current experiences within

my internship. During that course, we had a group project that consisted of researching an

organization and presenting that organization as though it were asking for a community grant. I

believe that project will help me when I sit down and start applying to grants for the foundation.

Per the last two weeks in the internship, I believe that I have experiences the learning outcome of

“understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in society.” A lot of my time within the

organization has consisted of learning more about the foundation and its role within the Bosma

Enterprises organization. They are two different entities, a fact that I was unaware of. This means

there are two different boards and staff associated with either the foundation or the business. The

foundation staff does not work directly with staff members of Bosma Enterprises. It will be

interesting to see how the two collaborate together to meet the needs of the mission. I also spent

time in the rehab center learning about the importance of the need for the programs and how they
assist the clients that utilize the programs. Overall, the last two weeks have been about

understanding the need for an organization such as Bosma and how it benefits those who need it.

The Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation’s mission- creating opportunities for individuals

who are blind or have low vision is an important one. It might not seem important to an

individual as myself, who doesn’t understand what it’s like to not be afforded opportunities due

to a disability I have no control over.

 DEAL Reflection #2

September 25, 2017

Stephani Green

Describe

The last two weeks for my internship have been very intimidating honestly. I have

continued working on the assignments given to me by my supervisor. I am searching for

potential grant opportunities and finding out how to apply for the grant. I have been given

instruction to go ahead and contact a few of the organizations I have found to apply for said

grant. I am still searching for more organizations and filling my time with any other tasks given

to be my supervisor. She has given smaller tasks such as signing up for corporate discounts for

nonprofits and small clerical work. She has also given me a new task that is very intimidating.

Examine

I have been given a new task of contacting organizations for donations for the silent auction that

will be held at the Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation Dining in the Dark fundraiser.

This is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. I feel this new task is frustrating because I

was given the task through email but have not discussed it with my supervisor. I have never

solicited for donations and feel a little bit out of my element. To be fair, my supervisor has had a

lot of meetings this past week and hasn’t been able to sit down with me to discuss this further. I

have not yet fulfilled this activity. I printed out the list of organizations to contact and did a little

bit of research on the list but have not yet reached out to the organizations. I feel I don’t have a

very clear guiding point for this. Perhaps if there were a script available or even just expectations

for what it is I am trying to do or gain for the foundation. I think knowing what exactly is
expected of me in fulfilling this task will help me to complete it sooner. I plan on having a

meeting with my supervisor to further discuss the steps and talking points I need to solicit a

donation.

Articulate Learning

I believe I am learning a lot about myself through this internship. I have learned that if I

don’t have clear direction in a task that I am not familiar with, then I lack the confidence to get

the task done. I usually try my hardest to get things done quickly and efficiently. But this task

has seemingly loomed over me as a challenge that I don’t feel confident enough to tackle. I think

the class that I can relate to this experience would be my PHST 212 civic engagement class. The

beginning of the class was a bit of a struggle for me to find my ground in writing. I felt as though

I didn’t have everything I needed to complete a reading response assignment as the first

assignment yielded a lesser grad than I had anticipated. Talking to the professor and finding out

what key points I was missing in the assignment helped me out tremendously and I got a higher

grade the next time. I know that this experience can help me in discussing the needs I feel I need

for tasks to be done complete and accurately. I think the learning outcome for me in this

reflection resonates greatly with using interpersonal skills to address the issues. I was able to

reach out to others to determine how to address the issue. Knowing that with the help of others, I

can identify my own strengths and weaknesses and then utilize my own position and the position

of others to help create a solution to an issue I might have with a task.

 DEAL Reflection #3

October 9, 2017

Stephani Green

DESCRIBE

During the last two weeks of my internship I have worked on searching for more grant

opportunities. I spent time going through different resources that are available to me through the

school of philanthropy. I compiled a list of the new grants that I found and shared them with my

supervisor. I also completed an application for a sponsorship grant with Fifth Third Bank to

support the foundation’s biggest fundraiser in the spring. Another task that I completed was

entering all the nation’s National Institute of the Blind (NIB) agencies into an excel spreadsheet,

making the information easier to access.

EXAMINE

Filling out the grant application for sponsorship was my favorite task to partake in this

past week. My supervisor sent it to me to complete on my own, but my not having access to the

fund drive hindered my ability to complete it on my own. I sat down with Arvetta to discuss all

of this and she was unaware that I did not have access to the fund drive. We went through the

application together, discussing how the questions should be answered and what the grantor

typically looks for. She gave me the missing information I needed and had me finish the

questions and submit the application. It was satisfying to complete this task because it made me

feel as though I finally made a significant contribution to the foundation as an intern. The last

few weeks I’ve felt as though I’ve not been much of a help, especially with my lack of access to
needed information. I was successful in completing this task because I was open and honest with

my supervisor about what I needed to complete it.

ARTICULATE

I am learning a lot about leadership through my interaction with my site supervisor and

the other staff of the foundation. They are a small staff and consist of only four individuals. This

last week I had the chance to sit down with all four and discuss their positions and roles within

the foundation. I am starting to see, through the example of my site supervisor, that if an

organization has strong leadership, other employees will be motivated to step in and help fill in

the gap where needed. This is evident in the foundation as their staffing is limited. Everyone has

more than one role within the organization, including my site supervisor who is the director of

the foundation. This interaction makes me think of my PHST 201 and PHST 212 courses when

we learned about the history of philanthropy and the history of the Civil Rights Movement.

There are many examples to prove that strong leadership will influence the productivity of those

they lead. The Civil Rights Movement would not have been successful without a strong leader to

help motivate and inspire those who helped the cause. Had Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King Jr,

or countless others not been ones to step up and lead the cause, who is to know what the

movement would have yielded for society. A learning outcome I believe this situation helps me

to understand is the PUL 2- understanding ethics, values, norms, and motivations in

philanthropy. Spending time with the staff and learning about their roles and how they support

the mission of the foundation helped me to understand this learning outcome. The individuals

spent time talking about donor intent, being donor centric and creating a new way to allow the

donors to really connect with the mission. My site supervisor also spent time talking about the
effects of their work and discussing the difference between the foundation and larger non profit

organizations.
 DEAL Reflection #4

October 22, 2017

Stephani Green

DESCRIBE

The last two weeks have been similar in tasks for the foundation. I have continued to look

at possible grant opportunities and continue to work on solicitations for donations for the silent

auction. I also was asked to do a project that focused on the demographics of both the Bosma

Visionary Opportunities Foundation Board as well as the Bosma Enterprises Board. I created a

pie chart for industry, gender, ethnicity, age, and disability. My supervisor wanted to show the

lack of diversity within both boards. She seemed pleased with my work on the project. I also was

invited to one of the Association of Fundraising Professionals monthly luncheons by my site

supervisor. She was unable to attend but she still required me to attend. A buffet lunch was

provided and a program was given that talked about the importance of CSR (corporate social

responsibility).

EXAMINE

The pie chart project was satisfying for me to complete. I have never utilized excel in the

capacity that I used it for the project. I had to teach myself how to create the different graphs

because I was unaware of how to create a graph within office software. I was successful in

completing the project because I took advantage of online tutorial videos that guided me in

creating the charts my supervisor asked for. Once I could understand how to do the task
requested, I was able to accomplish it quickly for my supervisor so that she had it available when

needed. It was satisfying to complete this project because I had to figure out a way beyond what

I knew to complete the task. It made me realize that I can accomplish the other tasks she has

given me where I might not have felt so confident in my ability to complete.

ARTICULATE LEARNING

I am often left to my own tasks while I am on site at the internship. My site supervisor is

very busy and is often out of the office. We meet weekly and communicate by email quite

frequently. From this experience, I am learning more about myself that I have more confidence

in my ability to complete tasks when I am given clear definition of how those tasks are meant to

be completed. An example would include the difference between solicitations for donations and

the board profile project. The response given to me to complete the solicitations was very broad.

I did not have a guidance for how to contact individuals. I was just given a list and asked to

complete them. Whereas the board project, my site supervisor listed what she wanted and how

she wanted the information presented. This makes me realize that while I do inhabit initiative, I

also need a little bit of direction. I feel this is simply due to my lack of experience within the

fundraising field and my lack of confidence in addressing individuals and asking for donations.

This experience makes me think of my current course PHST 301. Our instructor has given us

assignments to help us not only understand philanthropy but also our role within the concept and

where we see our career path moving. I know I have learned that I would like to focus more on

advocacy and not so much fundraising. This experience has given more support to the idea that

perhaps I don’t want to be a fundraiser, in this context. This experience helped me to achieve

PUL #4 -Using communication skills effectively for varied audiences. I have completed two

different projects this week- the board profile project and submitted one request for a donation
for the silent auction. Both projects yielded information and data but differently due to the

audience it was presented to. I was able to address both projects in a way to appease the

audience.
 DEAL Reflection #5

November 6, 2017

Stephani Green

DESCRIBE

The last couple of weeks at my internship have been very productive. I’ve continued to

work on searching for available grants. I attended a board meeting for the foundation where the

board viewed presentations by three different companies to decide where to invest their funds. I

also was asked to go and represent the foundation at the Indianapolis Foundation’s orientation

for the Summer Youth Fund grant. The foundation held its annual award luncheon, The

Hasbrook Awards where I assisted setting up for the event and handling registering guests.

EXAMINE

Two activities I participated in during the last two weeks, the summer youth program

orientation and Hasbrook awards were very interesting to me. Attending the orientation was a

fun thing to be a part of. I learned more about the importance and value of networking. I was

able to meet interesting people and learn more about the foundation providing assistance to

organizations that have summer youth programs. I felt successful in attending this orientation

because I was given the opportunity to learn more about expectations regarding grant

applications as well as have any questions answered about the process. My willingness to ask

questions helped contributed to my success in this assignment and will allow me to complete this

grant application for the foundation. Assisting with the Hasbrook awards was satisfying because

it was another opportunity for me to feel as though I made a significant contribution to the

foundation. Being a small staff, the foundation always needs all hands-on deck for any events. I
was given the opportunity to assist where needed. I feel that my willingness to help greatly

contributed to the success of the event. Registration was a different task. There were so many

people that needed to register for the event. We had a system in place to assure registration went

as smoothly as possible. There were a few snags, but we were able to get people into the dining

room quickly and efficiently.

ARTICULATE LEARNING

Through this internship I’m learning more about my ability to manage multiple tasks at

one time. I’m learning how to prioritize the tasks based on importance and need. This past

session I achieved PUL 4- Using communication skills effectively for varied audiences. I

achieved this learning outcome through both tasks. The orientation was an opportunity to speak

with different people and meet different organizations. The Hasbrook awards also granted me an

opportunity to meet and speak with different individuals. Communication skills were also needed

for delegating tasks to volunteers who assisted with setup. This reminds me of my phst 212

course group assignments. We had to work together to accomplish a project to present to the

class. Effective communication skills were the only way to share an informative presentation.
 DEAL Reflection # 6
November 20, 2017
Stephani Green
DESCRIBE
The last two weeks at my internship site have been very productive since I have switched

my schedule to one day a week instead of two half days a week. The first week, I spent the entire

day gathering information for the Summer Youth Program grant application. I worked on

entering in the data and making sure I had the most current and accurate data. The second week,

I helped assist with a planned giving luncheon that was held to bring in current donors and other

constituents to see the importance of supporting the organization. Lunch was served to each

guest during a presentation about planned giving from a reputable financial planning advisor and

a tax consultant.

EXAMINE

Participating in the planned giving luncheon was very informative to me. Not only did I

help the foundation by providing assistance with registering guests and speaking with different

guests about the value and impact of the programs that are given to the clients who receive

support form Bosma, I also was able to learn more about the concept of planned giving. The

financial advisor was very informative and detailed in his presentation. The presentation left me

with deeper understanding of the available planned giving opportunities to individuals. I was

successful in completing this activity. I registered every individual that attended the luncheon. I

spoke with different donors and shared my experience and connection to the foundation. I also

helped pack things and put away items that were left over for the event.

ARTICULATE LEARNING
 I was previously aware of the social issues that my internship site focuses on but through

this recent reflection period, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the issues that are

focused on. The Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation is focused on creating opportunities

for the blind or visually impaired. The reason they work to do this is because there are so many

blind Indiana residents who do not have access to technology, education, etc. that would assist

them in their blindness. One of the foundation’s main driving points is the unemployment rate

for blind and visually impaired individuals is 70 %. They are very committed to lowering this

number and also with helping blind and visually impaired individuals to learn to how to do the

every day tasks we take for granted without their sight. A course that relates to my experience

with understanding the social issues of my internship site is PHST P201. This course focused on

understanding the meaning of philanthropy along with social issues that the philanthropic sector

impacts. I believe this course is relevant because I had to do research in both the course and my

internship site about social causes and issues that organizations such as my internship focus on.

Because of the skills I learned in research for PHST P201, I was able to easily research the data

available to me and understand the importance of the data. I also believe that this reflection

period’s tasks and activities allowed me to achieve an understanding of PUL 4- Using

communication skills effectively for varied audiences. I had to demonstrate great communication

skills with the donors and constituents at the luncheon. I was very observant of my site

supervisor and the things she said when speaking to donors. I also feel that the grant application

was another opportunity to use communication skills effectively as I had to input data and

responses to questions about the support programs.

A sample of the submitted Summer Youth Program Fund Grant Application

Program Category: Youth Employment

Provides Academic Enrichment:
Funder Exclusions: No Exclusions
Program Title: Student Training and Employment Program
Summer Program Description: The Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) is an early intervention
program designed to expose Indiana high school students (ages 16 -21) who are blind or visually impaired to the
workforce. The program is a collaborative partnership between Bosma Enterprises and the Indiana School for
the Blind and Visually Impaired. Bosma Enterprises covers all the salaries/benefits of the teachers, job coaches,
and program assistants; and pays the participating students stipends during their internship. The Indiana School
for the Blind and Visually Impaired covers all the costs associated with lodging, program sites, and recreational
activities during the program,
The program teaches the students fundamental skills correlated to finding and keeping a job. Furthermore, the
program provides training in job readiness and soft skills as well as valuable work experiences that will help
improve employment outcomes for the students upon graduation from high school. The program’s aim is to
keep these students from entering the cycle of unemployment experienced by many individuals who are blind or
visually impaired. These students face a 70% unemployment rate, making them nearly nine times more likely to
be unemployed than the general population. The discrepancy exists despite equal education levels between the
blind and visually impaired and their sited counterparts.
STEP meets a variety of employment needs in the community of people who are blind or visually impaired. By
providing real work experiences, STEP is able to provide the experience needed for program participants to find
and obtain employment upon entering the job market. STEP also provides students with guidance on career
paths and the training necessary to acquire meaningful employment. Lastly, STEP provides students with soft
skills training in résumé writing, interview techniques, and job search skills that will provide the tools needed to
realize their vocational goals and obtain employment.
STEP is designed as four-week (M-F) summer course intended to serve 30 students. Each student participates in
8 hours of instructional time one day each week directed toward the development of job-readiness and soft
skills. The instructional format includes written work, role play sessions on interviewing skills, completion of
interest inventories, and the research of jobs on the Internet for more advanced students. Instructional time is led
by teachers from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI) on its campus.
Each student participating in STEP completes a minimum of 26 hours each week of work experience that
provides them the opportunity to learn and acquire work skills in a real work setting. Students are assigned a job
coach, at an approximate ratio of one Job Coach per every two students. Students are be accompanied by the
Job Coach to the work site, coached according to job expectations, and encouraged to increase independence on
the work site. Job Coaches will provide transportation and remain onsite at all times to observe the student’s
work and to complete weekly Student Progress Reports, which track progress toward identified work goals.
During working hours, the students are paid at minimum wage.
How are youth recruited and selected for your program? Students are recruited by the Indiana School for the
Blind and Visually Impaired and through community organizations serving people who are blind and visually
impaired. Bosma Employment Services staff members also recruit program participants through presenting the
program at various meetings, conferences, and trainings throughout the year to non-profits and community
organizations to promote the program. Typically, the program has an overwhelming response rate of students
seeking to participate in the program, because it is a paid five week internship.
Year program was established: 1991
Will your program encourage &/or assist students and families in registering for the 21st Century Scholars
Program &/or meting its requirements (ex: college visits & service activities)? If yes, please describe in a text
box 150 words max.
No
Program Activities
Activity Type: Work Experience Activity Description: 100% of students will complete a CHOICES Career
Interest Inventory Form 100% of students will have a completed job site functional vision assessment in their
file
Activity Frequency: Four Weeks 32 hours/week Work Experience
Activity Type: Job Search Skills Activity Description: 100% of students will be provided instruction on résumé
writing, job search, interview skills, and appropriate workplace behavior.
Activity Frequency: Weekly Learn Job Search Techniques and research job opportunities
Activity Type: Resume Writing Activity Description: 100% of students will be provided instruction on résumé
writing, job search, interview skills, and appropriate workplace behavior.
Activity Frequency: Weekly Develop a resume
Activity Type: Interview Skills Activity Description: 100% of students will be provided instruction on résumé
writing, job search, interview skills, and appropriate workplace behavior.
Activity Frequency: Weekly Mock Interviews
Activity Type: Career Exploration Activity Description: 100% of students will have suggestions for different
types of job positions that fit the skills and interests of the student. 100% of students will identify and
document their strengths and barriers to employment.
Activity Frequency: Weekly (1 full day) @ Bosma Enterprises
Outcomes
Program Proposed Outcomes: 100% of students will be provided instruction on résumé writing, job search,
interview skills, and appropriate workplace behavior
Program Outcome Measurement Method: : Classes per week focused on resume writing, interviewing, and job
search skills. The students willl develop a resume, conduct mock interviews, and research actual job
opportunities.
Program Proposed Outcomes: 100% of students will identify and document their strengths and barriers to
employment
Program Outcome Measurement Method: : The students will identify strengths and challenges to employment
through completion of a journal throughout the program and the CHOICE Career Interest Inventory Form.
Program Proposed Outcomes: 100% of students will have suggestions for different types of job positions that
fit the skills and interests of the student
Program Outcome Measurement Method: Identified through participation in the weekly lasses and Career
Exploration.
Program Proposed Outcomes: 100% of students will have a completed job site functional vision assessment in
their file
Program Outcome Measurement Method: Completion of the job site functional vision assessment.
Program Proposed Outcomes: 100% of students will complete a CHOICES Career Interest Inventory Form
Program Outcome Measurement Method: Completion of the CHOICES Career Interest Inventory Form. The
results are analyzed at the conclusion of the STEP program.
Partners
Program/Organization Partner First Name Last Name Phone Benefit/Service Received Status
Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Jim Durst (317)253-1481 Provides residential services, food, and social support for students in the Summer
STEP
Potential
Bosma Enterprises James Michaels (317)704-8206 Provides stipends to the students and pays salaries and
wages of all adult personnel participating i
Committed
Numbers/Staff
Demographics
Youth Number Percentage
Projected total number of unduplicated 4 to 5 year olds: 0 0%
Projected total number of unduplicated 6 to 8 year olds: 0 0%
Projected total number of unduplicated 9 to 11 year olds: 0 0%
Projected total number of unduplicated 12 to 14 year olds: 0 0%
Projected total number of unduplicated 15 year olds and up: 30 100%
Total Number of UNDUPLICATED Youth Served: 30
Total Number of Youth Expected to reside in Marion County: 10 33%
Total Number of Youth Expected to Qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch:
24 80%
Total Number of Youth Expected to Have a Mental or Physical Disability:
17 57%
Average Number of Youth Expected Daily: 30
Summer Program Staff and Volunteers
Daily Staffing Number
Number of full time staff including certified teachers 17.00
Part time staff including certified teachers 0.00
Full time Volunteers 0.00
Part time Volunteers 2.00
Full Time Paid Certified Teacher 2.00
Part Time Certified Teachers 0.00
Dates/Fees
Project Begin Date: 06/18/2018 Project End Date: 07/20/2018
Total Days Program Will be Provided: 24 Average Number of Hours Program Provided Each Day: 8.0
Total Number of Weeks Program Will be Provided: 5 Total Number of Summer Sessions Offered: 1
Program Fee Per Child: No
Eval/Specialty
Programming Last Summer:
Yes
Learned from Evaluation of Summer Program This Year:
* The program included more in-depth information specific to post-secindary education and special
accomodations for people who are blind or visually impaired. *Staffing changes - Bosma Enterprises learned
that changes in staffing may require a redistribution of duties to ensure that all tasks are addressed throughout
the course of the program. Furthermore, tasks need to be well documented so replacement staff can easily
transition into their new positions. *Job coach selection process - There needs to be a better selection process
for choosing job coaches to ensure that all job coaches are properly trained to take on these duties.This
evaluation was conducted internally based on responses to surveys and staff meetings following the program.
To be Done Differently Next Year (if applicable):
Bosma Enterprises would like to expand the use of public transportation for students to travel to their work site.
Using public transportation under the supervision of a job coach provides a more realistic work experience as
well as enhances the independence of the student, making this a valuable training tool. Additionally, the
organization would like to expand to more geographic locations to enhance opportunities for program
participants after STEP when they return home. Lastly, Bosma Enterprises will work to continue to add
employers to provide a broader variety of opportunities.
Youth Employment
Type of Training and Other Activities Participants Engage in: Each student participating in STEP will complete
a minimum of 26 hours each week of work experience that will provide them the opportunity to learn and
acquire work skills in a real work setting. Students will be assigned a job coach, at an approximate ratio of 1
Job Coach per every 2 students. Students will be accompanied by the Job Coach to the work site, coached
according to job expectations, and encouraged to increase independence on the work site as job skills increase.
Each student in STEP will participate in 8 hours of instructional time one day each week directed toward the
development of job readiness and soft skills that students need in order to seek and maintain successful
employment. The instructional skills targeted will be: Identification of strengths, barriers, and necessary
adaptations to find and keep employment Completing an employment application Résumé development
Development of interview skills through mock interviews Exposure to employer expectations Group
discussion of student job experiences CHOICES testing to identify student job interests. (Each student’s level
of job readiness will indicate how in depth the CHOICES program will be accessed for that student)
Development of a Student Portfolio to provide student materials that will assist with job search after
graduation from school or college
Type of Work Participants Engage in: STEP seeks to place students in employment of interest to them so they
can acquire skills and experience that will be helpful in future employment. In an effort to accommodate the
vast interests and skill sets of program participants, STEP has developed a vast network of community
employers willing to offer work experiences. A strong partnership has been developed with the City of
Indianapolis over the last several years. They have provided employment opportunities for students in the
Department of Public Works, Environmental Services Department, Animal Care and Control, City County
Clerk’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and through the City Parks Department. In addition to the City
collaboration, partnerships have been developed with Indianapolis Yellow Cab, Down Syndrome of Indiana,
State of Indiana, AIT Laboratories, NAPA/Balkamp, and Arthur Jordan YMCA.
Supervisor of Youth Employees: Matt Edwards, STEP Coordinator & Employment Specialist
Written Job Descriptions for Youth: Yes
Approximate Hours Participant Will Train Each Week: 8
Approximate Hours Participant Will Work Each Week: 24
Job Skills Participants Will Have at the End of the Summer: On the Job Skills Communication Skills Conflict
Management Financial Management Customer Service Computer Skills Job Search Skills Identification of
strengths, barriers, and necessary adaptations to find and keep employment Completing an employment
application Résumé development Development of interview skills through mock interviews Exposure to
employer expectations Group discussion of student job experiences
Program Hires Youth Participating in Youth Employment Activities: Yes
Program Provides Internship or Job Shadowing Opportunities: Yes
Explanation: STEP offers career exploration, soft skills training, and work experiences through internships and
job shadowing experiences. These experiences help students to identify career paths and to gain the skills
necessary to find employment despite the difficult employment market. The program exposes individuals at an
early age to the workforce so that when they reach adulthood they have a greater chance at gaining
employment.
Program Provides Wage or Stipend: Wage
Program Partners With Private, Public, or Charitable Organizations to Provide Youth Employment
Opportunities, Job Shadowing, or Internships:
Yes
Names of Partner and How Many Positions Provided by Each Partnership: Currently, the program is working to
finalize partners for this summer. The actual number of positions per site is estimated based on last year. Our
partners include the following:
NAPA Balkamp (4) Marquette Manor (2) FACE -spay and neuter clinic (2) Indianapolis Animal Care and
Control (2) Indianapolis Public Defender's Office (2) Jordan YMCA (4) Second Helpings (2) Southern Food
Service (2) Bosma Enterprises (5) State of Indiana (Govt. Center) - at this site we worked with several
departments including: (3)
Indiana Public Licensing Agency Family and Social Services Administration Dept. of Child Services Indiana
Lt. Governors Office Dept. of Workforce Development Indiana State Dept. of Health
Meals/Transportation
Meals
Meal Type: Breakfast Source: USDA/DOE Federal Feeding Program Provider Other:
Meal Type: Dinner Source: USDA/DOE Federal Feeding Program Provider Other:
Meal Type: PM Snack Source: USDA/DOE Federal Feeding Program Provider Other:
Transportation
Program Provides Food to Youth for Weekend Meals: No
Please Describe:
Program Provides Transportation: Yes
A Sample of the Board Profile
 Final Reflection Paper

December 8, 2017

Stephani Green

The Bosma Visionary Opportunities Foundation (BVOF) is an organization that works

to raise money to support the programs that benefit the blind and visually impaired

individuals in the state of Indiana. The program at Bosma is the only comprehensive

rehabilitative program available to blind and visually impaired individuals in the entire state

of Indiana. The support programs available through Bosma are multi-faceted and address a

wide array of individual needs regarding their blindness. As stated, BVOF raises money to

support Bosma. BVOF and Bosma are both two separate entities. They each have their own

board and staff. And while the staff of both organizations do collaborate for certain events,

essentially the staffs remain separate in terms of duties and tasks performed to support the

mission of the organization. My official title for the foundation was Philanthropy Intern. I

worked as support for the staff of the foundation. Any assistance needed by one of the four

staff members was given by me. I also spent a great deal of time assisting the executive

director, my site supervisor, with finding and applying for any grants that could benefit the

foundation. Ultimately, I was there to be an extra body to assist during a busy time of

transition within the organization.

Learning Plan

For my learning plan, I had three desired outcomes. The first outcome- Understanding the

role of Bosma Enterprises as a nonprofit organization and how the organization's mission

impacts the visually impaired community was easily met. I met with the head of programs and
discussed the impact the program has upon individuals who are blind or visually impaired. He

took me through the rehabilitation lab to see what sort of things clients do and learn while in the

program. I also met with another individual who helps run the senior program. This was an

interesting meeting because I was unaware of the senior program offered through Bosma. The

senior program goes out to individuals in the community, particularly individuals above the age

of 55. There are staff members who meet with these individuals to address their visual needs.

Often, the clients will receive assistive devices, free of charge, to utilize in their homes. The staff

members will meet with the clients as often as needed to assist with any issues and concerns

regarding their eye sight and how it impacts their ability to function as an independent person

within their own home. The second learning outcome- Understanding how to communicate

effectively with potential donors and constituents was not a learning outcome I was able to focus

much of my time upon. I did gain an opportunity to speak with other peers but did not have an

opportunity to speak with any clients or donors. I did however utilize my communication and

writing skills to apply for grants from potential donors as well as soliciting silent auction items

for an upcoming fundraiser. But I did not get an opportunity to learn about the processes the

foundation uses to acquire a new donor, nor was I able to sit in on any meetings with current or

potential donors. This was a very busy time within the foundation as they were closing their fall

solicitation and working on end of year giving. My site supervisor was often unavailable to meet

with me due to her busy schedule and work on a grant from the Lilly Endowment. The third

outcome- Understanding how to use my own problem-solving skills to bring effective solutions

to teams I will work with within the organization was not necessarily an outcome I could

effectively achieve as I rarely worked with any other teams or individuals within the foundation.

The foundation staff consists only of four individuals. There were no projects or tasks I could
collaborate with them upon. However, I was able to effectively utilize my problem skills upon

my own issues and tasks such as gaining access to the fund drive, which contains all pertinent

documents associated with the foundation. For a few weeks I had no access to this drive but still

needed to apply for grants and solicit requests. I had to find the information outside of normal

scopes and eventually reached out to the IT department on my own to handle the issue of no

access to the information I needed to complete grant applications.

DEAL

D-The overall experience at BVOF was very informative. Through my assigned tasks and

available opportunities to attend a board meeting and other events, I was able to understand the

importance of the role of an individual within a small foundation regardless of their title. All the

employees on the foundation staff often worked together and did more than just their job title

regarding the work they did while I was there at the foundation. E- I am very satisfied with the

work I accomplished while working for the BVOF. The tasks I was assigned were all very

important to the foundation, so it is my belief that I provided some significant value to the

foundation. I was able to be there and provide an extra hand in their events, I was able to apply

for different grants to provide funding for the organization, and I also created a board assessment

to help identify any missing links or types of individuals upon the board of both BVOF and

Bosma Enterprises. My site supervisor actually used my assessment to meet with the chair of the

board to discuss the gaps in board leadership. AL- Through my work at the foundation, I was

able to gain a clear understanding of all the learning outcomes for BA in Philanthropic Studies.

PUL 1-Understanding philanthropic traditions in societies was achieved through my research

about the two different organizations- BVOF and Bosma Enterprises and how the history of both

organizations have made an impact on the blind and visually impaired community. PUL 2-
Understanding ethics, values, norms, and motivations in philanthropy was achieved through

discussions during staff meetings. We spent a great deal of time discussing the importance of the

organization being donor centric. I also was instructed to read a book, Giving 2.0 and provide my

insight as a philanthropy student regarding trends, ideas, and thoughts upon the foundation’s

current way of doing things. PUL 3- Understanding the role of nonprofit organizations in society

was achieved by the research I was instructed to do upon the history of Bosma Enterprises.

Bosma Enterprises is an organization that recognized a need that was not being fulfilled within

the blind and visually impaired community. Their desire to create programs for the blind and

visually impaired to help them gain some form of independence and find gainful employment is

what helps motivates blind or visually impaired individuals today. PUL 4- Using communication

skills effectively for varied audiences was a learning outcome I achieved. I had to communicate

with a variety of individuals through different means. Some through email, some face to face,

and some through phone conference. Each medium of communication requires its own form of

communication skills, whether they be written or audible. PUL 5- Using interpersonal skills to

address issues was a learning outcome I achieved as well. There were many times where I was

unequipped for a specific task. I had to find individuals, talk to them about the issue, and ask

their advice on how best to achieve the task. Everyone had their own input on the best way to

manage the task. Ultimately, collaboration with each staff member provided me with an

opportunity to see different ways to address a problem and work well with other individuals to

achieve the task on hand. PUL 6- Articulating philanthropic values, civic identity, and strategies

for increasing capacity to take action is not necessarily a learning outcome I was able to achieve

through my work at the foundation. Most of my tasks were focused on being a support for the

staff and not necessarily a changemaker within the organization.

 Skills

During my time as an intern, I learned many valuable skills that would help me in the

future. I spent a great deal of time researching and applying for grants for the foundation. This

task greatly helped me to develop my writing skills both on a professional level as well as

through the grant writing process. I learned about the importance of having valid research

information available for writing grants as well as the importance of clear, effective

communication across electronic platforms. Therefore, I can accurately report to future

employment opportunities that I possess articulate and professional communication skills.

Another skill I developed through the internship is initiative. I have often been someone who

works best when given tasks to accomplish. And although there were times where I did have an

assignment, there were also times where I was left with nothing to do. This was difficult for me

at first because I am someone who likes to maintain productivity. But ultimately, I had to

decided between accomplishing something on my own or waiting for someone else to tell me

what to do. I chose to find projects for myself to do in times where I felt I was not significantly

contributing to the organization. Therefore, I can accurately report to future employment

opportunities that I have the ability to take initiative to complete projects that will benefit the

organization. A third skill that I was able to gain from my time at the foundation is a simple one

but important to future employers. I was able to expand my knowledge of the office suite

programs. I spent a good time utilizing word and excel in a way that I never had before.

Understanding computer software, especially those involved in an office setting is important to

many future employers especially if they maintain a lot of their internal documents through excel

and word. Therefore, I can accurately report to future employment opportunities that I am skilled

in office software and can utilize it in all my work. Also, not only can I utilize it to maintain
current information through a potential organization, but I can also bring new ideas on how to

maximize the available content and make it more accessible to individuals within the

organization.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Overall this experience with the Bosma Visionary Opportunities foundation greatly

contributed to my understanding of how foundations like BVOF work and as well as my

understanding on what I’d like to do for my own philanthropic career path. As a philanthropic

studies major, I was aware of the impact that foundations make in the communities they serve.

However, BVOF is a Type 1 foundation and serves as a monetary support for Bosma

Enterprises. Ultimately both Bosma and BVOF strive to create opportunities for blind and

visually impaired individuals. Bosma relies on BVOF to make the funding happen for programs

to help create said opportunities. As far as my philanthropic career, I have learned that I would

like to continue working in a fundraising role but in a different capacity. I’d like to work with

organizations that focus on advocacy for different causes. BVOF does have some form of

advocacy to their work as they strive to inform not only the community of the needs of those

who are blind and visually impaired but also informs those individuals of the available

opportunities for them through Bosma’s rehabilitative and employment services. Some next steps

I’d like to take to build upon my experience at BVOF include volunteering at the organization,

finding causes that line up with my desired focus of advocacy, and attend some professional

grant writing courses as well as take part in the Association of Professional Fundraisers Indiana

Chapter (AFP)- a gift that was given to me by my site supervisor. I know the foundation is short

handed in staff and I believe my volunteering to assist them would make a great impact in the

organization. Seeing the impact of advocacy for blind and visually impaired individuals inspired
me more to focus on finding my own desired cause of advocacy work and I will continue to

research opportunities until I find the one that most resonates with what I hope to accomplish.

Learning about the grant writing process was very beneficial to my career and so I feel that it’s

important that I take the steps necessary to make this skill a professionally obtained skill.

Partaking in the monthly luncheons through the AFP would grant me an opportunity to learn

about pertinent information in the industry as well as to create new networks to help benefit me

in my professional career as a fundraising professional.