Students completing the philanthropic studies B.A. program will achieve the following:
1. Understand philanthropic traditions in societies, including:
- Summarizing basic terms (e.g., advocacy, charity, civil society, fund development, nonprofit organization, public policy) in philanthropy
- Connecting key historical events, people, trends, social movements and explaining their influence on philanthropy today.
- Interpreting contemporary events, people, trends, and social movements and placing them in the broader context of philanthropy.
- Examining philanthropic traditions by using a multi-disciplinary perspective (e.g. economics, history, philosophy, psychology, political science, religion, sociology).
- Comparing and contrasting the nature of civil society and philanthropy across traditions, cultures and contexts.
2. Understand ethics, values, norms and motivations in philanthropy, including:
- Defining the meanings of philanthropy.
- Explaining key concepts (e.g., common good, donor intent, moral imagination, reciprocity, stewardship, tolerance, trustee, voluntary action) in philanthropy.
- Explaining the critiques of philanthropy (e.g., philanthropy as social control, tainted money, fundraising fraud and abuses, philanthropy as cultural imperialism).
- Interpreting ethical schools of thought to understand philanthropic activity.
- Clarifying ethical principles in decision making.
- Comparing and contrasting diverse perspectives, motivations, and goals in philanthropy.
3. Understand the role of nonprofit organizations in society, including:
- Identifying the size, scope, types, roles, and limitations of nonprofit organizations.
- Explaining the roles and relationships between sectors in society (e.g., government, nonprofit, for profit, household) in securing resources to address social issues.
- Gathering and analyzing data related to philanthropy (e.g., civil society, community need, giving trends, nonprofit organizations, public policy, social issues, voluntary action).
- Examining theories that explain why nonprofit organizations exist in civil society.
- Explaining the role of social relationships and social movements in philanthropy.
- Evaluating differences in approaches used by nonprofit organizations on the local, national, and global level.
4. Use communication skills effectively for varied audiences, including:
- Explaining the role of communication in philanthropy.
- Using principles of good writing, including accurate citation of sources.
- Demonstrating ability to articulate ideas and produce evidence through writing, visual presentations, speech, and technology.
- Questioning ideas and approaches through discussions, interviews, and research.
- Understanding communication and leadership strategies that are effective for diverse audiences.
5. Use interpersonal skills to address issues, including:
- Describing one’s own position on issues.
- Examining diverse approaches to solving problems.
- Understanding the role of collaboration and teamwork in addressing issues.
- Examining strategies of leadership, teambuilding and consensus-building for addressing issues.
6. Articulate philanthropic values, civic identity, and strategies for increasing capacity to take action:
- Recognizing philanthropic values and civic identity in society.
- Describing one’s own philanthropic autobiography.
- Identifying career options that align with one’s philanthropic values and civic identity.
- Examining personal and professional experiences related to philanthropy through coursework, reflection, and feedback from others.
- Generating and describing ideas and strategies for addressing philanthropic issues.
Certificate in Philanthropic Fundraising
The undergraduate certificate in philanthropic fundraising is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in fundraising that require competencies in proposal writing, events coordination, and the fundamentals of donor development strategies for individual donors and institutional funders. Students completing the undergraduate certificate in philanthropic fundraising will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique the historical evolution of professional fundraising practice in the U.S.
- Explain and analyze diverse donor perspectives, motivations, and goals related to philanthropy and fundraising.
- Recognize and implement engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for various donor types.
- Identify ethical contexts of fundraising practice.
- Choose roles in professional fundraising practice and career options aligned with their philanthropic values and civic identity.
Last updated: June 2022
