The New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies today announced a new professional Certificate in Global Philanthropy, designed to deliver a focused education in fundraising and global affairs to NGO programming and development professionals. The program will begin in the fall 2010 semester.
The New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies today announced a new professional Certificate in Global Philanthropy, designed to deliver a focused education in fundraising and global affairs to NGO programming and development professionals. The program will begin in the fall 2010 semester.
Growth of Globally-Focused Nonprofits and NGOs
The new certificate responds to the exponential growth of globally-focused nonprofits in the past 20 years. For example, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) affiliated with the United Nations now number more than 3,100, up from approximately 700 in 1992. These NGOs provide critical assistance across the world, especially in developing countries, in providing basic needs (water, food, shelter); developing political, economic, and physical infrastructures; and monitoring human rights, among many activities. Many NGOs work as sub contractors for governmental and international agencies.
This growth in the number and size and widening of responsibilities means NGOs need ever-increasing public and private financial support and thus benefit from professional staffers educated in the area of global philanthropy.
New Program Educates Fundraising, Foundation, and Program Professionals
Offered jointly by the NYU-SCPS George H. Heyman Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising and the Center for Global Affairs, the seven-course program can be completed within one year of part-time study. Required courses include Global Philanthropy; Law, Ethics and Board Governance of Nonprofit Organizations; and NGOs in World Affairs. Students can then customize their studies by choosing four electives, two each from the global affairs and philanthropy areas, from a total list of about 15 classes. Possible course choices cover areas such as fundraising practices, grant writing, microfinance and social entrepreneurship, government funding, advocacy, the politics of humanitarian aid, corporate and foundation philanthropy, international development policy, and other topics.
The certificate is aimed not only toward NGO programming and development staffers, but also for those preparing to enter these areas and professionals working at foundations and philanthropic institutions in the private and public sectors.
“In today’s interconnected world, the effects of economic crises, poverty, war, and global warming are felt beyond national borders,” says Vera Jelinek, divisional dean of the Center for Global Affairs. “Thus, the public sector must respond to issues globally; whether it is through programming or through securing funding. And, this requires that fundraisers understand the major issues confronting various countries and that program areas understand how fundraising supports sustainable programming for their organizations.”
“This new Certificate in Global Philanthropy aims to bolster NGOs by ensuring that their personnel understand both the programming needs and the fundraising requirements of their organizations,” says Naomi Levine, executive director of the Heyman Center. “Because funding is the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization, all nonprofit professionals—whatever their function in the organization—must understand and actually participate in the fundraising process to ensure success.”
Student questions regarding the certificate program can be directed to the Heyman Center (212 998-6770 or scps.giving@nyu.edu) or the Center for Global Affairs (212 992-8380 or scps.global.affairs@nyu.edu).
About the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Established in 1934, NYU-SCPS (www.scps.nyu.edu) is one of NYU’s several degree-granting schools and colleges, each with a unique academic profile. The reputation of NYU-SCPS arises from its place as the NYU home for study and applied research related to key knowledge-based industries where the New York region leads globally. This is manifest in the School’s diverse graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education programs in fields such as Real Estate; Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management; Global Affairs; Philanthropy and Fundraising; Graphic Communications Media, Publishing, and Digital Arts; Human Capital Management, Marketing, and Public Relations; with complementary strengths in the Liberal and Allied Arts, Translation and Interpreting, Information Technologies, and Finance and Taxation. More than 100 distinguished full-time faculty collaborate with an exceptional cadre of practitioner/adjunct faculty and lecturers to create vibrant professional and academic networks that attract some 4,200 degree-seeking students from every corner of the region and the world. In addition, the School fulfills the recurrent continuing higher education needs of local and professional communities, as evidenced by 55,000 annual enrollments in individual courses, specialized certificate programs, conferences, workshops, seminars, and public events.