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Philanthropy & Nonprofit

Students doing good

We equip you with the tools and experiences that empower you to change the world.

Today’s policy challenges require that tomorrow’s leaders be well versed in innovative, collaborative cross-sector solutions. Nonprofit organizations, philanthropy and social entrepreneurs are major players in how public policy gets developed and implemented as well as how change occurs.

The curriculum features unique opportunities, including a hands-on abroad experiences with nongovernmental organizations (NGO) across the nation and around the world.

Opportunities to engage with our nonprofit and philanthropy experts include:

  • Adding a campus-wide minor in Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation
  • Declaring a public policy major with a Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation Focus
  • Joining two undergraduate living-learning programs
  • Taking advantage of a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership
  • Specializing in Nonprofit Management and Leadership through one of our master's programs
  • Working with award-winning faculty via our PhD program in Policy Studies

Beyond the classroom, we are reinventing the college experience through Do Good Institute, which is developing leaders, innovators and individuals from across campus who produce extraordinary outcomes. With signature projects like the annual Do Good Challenge and new Do Good Accelerator, students are making their mark on the state of Maryland and the world. Do Good Institute research has been prominently featured in outlets from MSNBC and The Washington Post to Congress's National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.

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Courses You Might be Interested In

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3 Credit(s)

Through discussions of contemporary trends, challenges and issues, this course provides an introduction to the nonprofit and NGO sectors, social innovation, and the leadership and management skills required to achieve social impact. The course will explore the history, theories, and roles of philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and social innovation in societies and cultures. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the process and principles of social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Additionally, the course will introduce students to topics in leadership, social innovation, resource development, community mobilization through networks, the role of policy-making in creating change, project management, and overall strategies for achieving social impact. The course will include mini hands-on learning experiences that allow them to apply key learning outcomes.
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3 Credit(s)

Introduces students to the concept of social innovation while exploring the many mechanisms for achieving social impact. It is team-based, highly interactive and dynamic, and provides an opportunity for students to generate solutions to a wide range of problems facing many communities today. Deepens the students understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation practices by guiding them through the creation and implementation process as applied to a project idea of their choice.
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3 Credit(s)

Introduces students to the fundamentals of fundraising. Identifies the major types of nonprofit funding models and assesses which fundraising methods are appropriate for each model. Explores motivations for giving; ethical concerns; types of funding sources; types of fundraising mechanisms and instruments; grant writing and the rise of strategic philanthropy and the new demands it places on nonprofit leaders - both to manage their programs and to raise funds.
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3 Credit(s)

Serving as a successful leader for a nonprofit or public organization of any kind requires an understanding of the strategic management process and a well-developed and managed strategy. It is a key to an organization’s performance. This course provides an integrated approach to leadership theories and concepts, research, and modern practices related to strategic planning and execution. Leading strategy approaches are discussed and students gain a deep understanding of how strategy can be developed, implemented, and managed in these organizations. The course is relevant for students who want to work for and/or consult with nonprofit and government organizations. Restricted to PLCY majors or permission of instructor.
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