The program is coordinated by Social Venture Partners, a collaborative of professionals focused on advancing the non-profit sector and social change. The students recently made final presentations to Social Venture Partners and their respective agencies, several of which are taking action on the students’ recommendations.

Among the projects: developing a comprehensive corporate training program for the Providence Maritime Heritage Foundation’s Sloop Providence, and implementation of a new business plan created for Cookie Place, a bakery and café that employs and trains individuals with psychological and developmental disabilities.

“The students do a great deal of real work that the agencies can’t do or don’t have the expertise to do," says said Deborah Schimberg, executive director of Social Venture Partners, who says the program is unique. "The collaboration with URI has been very successful and I’d like to see it expanded,” she says.