A recent graduate of N.C. State founded Project World View, a non-profit organization.

Joseph Davis graduated with a degree in business administration and a minor in political science. He, along with his brother and a friend, founded Project World View.

The goal of Project World View, Davis said, is to improve cultural education for the students of North Carolina.

“Because the U.S. is so isolated from a lot of these countries, we [students] do not see the relevance in studying them,” Davis said. “We make these cultures relevant by bringing them to the classroom and having them off the page of a book and come to life.” 

The inspiration for the organization, Davis said, is personal.

“Something I am passionate about is connecting people; I love figuring out how people are the same, but how they are all different in so many ways,” Davis said. “It is cool how we can relate; we all go through the same experiences.”

Sarah Hager, sophomore in management, said she thinks Project World View is a great organization because it promotes a good cause.

“I think that diversity is one of the most important things to appreciate,” Hager said.   “People are different and it is okay.”

Davis said they have different methods to reach the students.

“Right now we are going around Europe and writing blogs about our experiences,” Davis said. “We create videos about cultural points, have live conversion sessions with classes, use power points and have Q&A where they can ask us anything they want.

Davis said the reason Project World View is special is because it is a non-profit organization.

“We are selling an idea instead of a product, but we run just like a business,” Davis said.

Amber Smith, the nonprofit studies minor coordinator at NCSU, describes nonprofit organizations in more detail.

“Nonprofits are often the organization that takes charge of tackling social issues in America and around the world,” Smith said. “They give people a way to get involved in solving community problems, and depending on the cause can turn the public eye to an issue and help it be overcome.”

Smith said depending on the organization, they may work in different ways. The most common is to have a board of directors to lead the organization to their goals, she said.

Smith said there are different ways for the nonprofit organizations to raise money including but not limited to “partnering with corporations, fundraising, or applying for grants.”

Davis said that although their main target is the third grade, when the N.C. curriculum starts to teach about culture, their programs can be tailored to fit any age.

“You can suggest this to professors,” Davis said. “We are always looking for more classes.”

The website, Davis said, is www.projectworldview.net.

“Get in touch with us with questions,” Davis said. “We want to know what people are wondering or want to know about these foreign countries.”

Smith said depending on the type of nonprofit, some organizations could be comprised of over 85 percent volunteers.

CSLEPS, Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service, is an on-campus department that can help students connect with volunteer projects or opportunities.

Adam Culley, assistant director of CSLEPS, said there are over 150 events a year students can participate in.   Service Raleigh is one of the biggest events, where NCSU partners with Stop Hunger Now, to package meals for the hungry.   There also is the Campus Pals program where NCSU students collaborate with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for an ongoing mentorship program.

Hager, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service Fraternity, said “You get a good feeling from helping others.”

Smith said the non-profit minor program is fairly new, but it has been steadily growing. The minor is interdisciplinary, so it includes classes in subjects such as communications, political science and others that pertain to nonprofit Smith said.

“The nonprofit minor gives students a way to break into the nonprofit business and an opportunity for a meaningful life.” Smith said.