Collaboration of Philanthropists Funds Canada’s First Chair in Philanthropy at Carleton University
A robust charitable sector needs investment in its leadership through education and professional development and in research that can inform decision-making and public policy.
This is what a group of donors has enabled by making Carleton University the home of Canada’s first Chair in Philanthropy.
Recognizing the opportunity as a next step in Carleton’s vision towards being a go-to resource for education, research and community action in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, donors have joined together from across Canada to help Carleton achieve this major milestone.
“This is the first time that [we] have been able to work in a group of donors to fund one particular project, or role in this case,” says Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, co-founder of the Happy Roots Foundation and a member of the donor group, “it has been such a rewarding experience because it happened so organically.”
What started as a small group discussion among local philanthropists exchanging ideas led to a collaborative effort that has now established the Chair in Philanthropy position.
Hear Linsey describe the impact that the Chair in Philanthropy will have on the charitable sector
The Chair will be housed in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, and builds on Carleton’s unique, highly successful Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL)
Building on Carleton’s leadership in this area, the Chair will produce applied research that helps build a stronger culture of philanthropy in Canada and assists charities and nonprofits in becoming more resilient and adaptive.
The Chair will be a valuable support for this sector, educating new generations of professionals, leveraging new resources and providing evidence for more informed decision-making. Furthermore, it represents a first step toward establishing a world-class Centre for Philanthropy that generates future-focused research and data analysis.
“What I think is really special about the Chair in Philanthropy is that they will have a real opportunity to be a leader, both in bringing and providing support, information, and research to the nonprofit sector, for the organizations that are serving communities, and also for the philanthropic sector; for donors and funders and grant-makers,” says Linsey Sherman-Zekulin.
Similar models for harnessing the potential of postsecondary education to drive change and enhance the work of the philanthropic and nonprofit sector are well developed at universities around the world, including an endowed School of Philanthropy at one academic institution.
“In the United States there are many privately funded chairs and university-based centres that study philanthropy. They’re able to explore a whole range of different trends related to both philanthropy and the nonprofit sector,” says Zekulin.
As MPNL Professor Susan Phillips notes, “When people engage with their communities by giving their time, treasure and talent, they help make Canada stronger socially, culturally and economically. The donors who have established this Chair understand the connection of philanthropy to a stronger Canada and appreciate the value of bringing deeper understanding and knowledge to support more impactful philanthropy and innovative nonprofits.”
Carleton’s Master in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program is hosting its annual Celebrating Philanthropy event on June 26. Learn more and register here.