Bryan-College Station, Texas, June 18, 2025 – Aggieland Credit Union has committed another $25,000 over the next five years to continue its backing of the Texas A&M Strategic Philanthropy Course. The donation will be used as a learning tool to teach corporate giving to the next generation of business and community leaders.
More than 200 students have taken the course since its inception in 2016. Aggieland Credit Union first became a funding partner in 2020. The course, which trains students to become generous business leaders, has awarded more than $1 million to Brazos Valley nonprofits.
“Philanthropy and community partnership are essential parts of our core values at the credit union,” said Tina Muth, Aggieland Executive Officer with Aggieland Credit Union. “This course emphasizes the value of financial stewardship that goes beyond earning a profit.”
Muth noted, “It’s essential students understand how corporate philanthropy contributes to the greater good.”
Through the course, students examine the purpose of philanthropy as well as the role of charitable foundations and how they are organized and operated. Students also learn about nonprofit strategy, leadership, and finances.
As part of the class, students operate as a philanthropic foundation, evaluating and assessing grant requests from local Brazos Valley nonprofits and deciding how to distribute a pool of funds. Those funds are donated by businesses such as Aggieland Credit Union and other philanthropic sources.
Local nonprofits apply for grant funding. The students review the applications, conduct site visits and interviews, then decide how grants are allocated based on their assessments. Grant recipients receive their award at a student-hosted celebration event.
“Because of organizations like Aggieland Credit Union that help underwrite these grants, our students are able to award real money to the nonprofits,” said Kyle Gammenthaler, Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University. “Being able to make real financial donations to the causes the students deem viable based on their vetting process makes a lasting impression on the students and allows the nonprofits to keep carrying out their mission.”
