Professional Advancement? It’s All Academic

There are close to 100 colleges and universities that offer graduate programs in nonprofit management, with a few (a growing few, at that) conferring master’s-level degrees specifically in fundraising. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, which was established in 1987, is the largest and most comprehensive academic center focusing on fundraising and philanthropy. It offers a range of degrees, including a Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies, and recently received a $1.5 million dollar gift to endow a chair in fundraising. Though Indiana has been a visionary trendsetter in the field, the proliferation of MS degrees in fundraising reflects their increased acceptance as an effective training medium by universities, industry professionals and nonprofit organizations.