[Lyric] GG381 STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY Course Pespective (Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen)

We are living in the midst of a philanthropic revolution; one equal in influence only to the birth of modern philanthropy 100 years ago. The great philanthropic icons – Rockefeller, Carnegie, Sage, Rosenwald, Goff and Ford – paved the way for world-altering social change and inspired the United States’ past and present characterization as the world’s “most charitable nation.” The early 20th century saw the inception of the private foundation and community foundation, the idea of personal philanthropy and the infrastructure of the nonprofit sector. The last ten years have seen individual and institutional philanthropists embarking on a sector transformation tantamount in significance. In recent decades, philanthropy has become an industry in itself - amounting to more than $316 billion in the year 2012 alone. Philanthropy currently is experiencing an unprecedented amount of momentum, professionalization and innovation, and never have social needs–local and global alike–been more complex and pressing.

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Strategic Philanthropy (GG381) is one of the first academic courses to present philanthropy from a strategic field-based perspective. Effectively participating in the social sector mandates a firm grounding in the ever-evolving principles, practices and models unique to philanthropic stewardship, strategy and grantmaking. This course will provide an overview of the key operational and strategic distinctions between traditional philanthropic entities, such as community foundations, private foundations and corporate foundations, as well as contemporary models, including funding intermediaries and venture philanthropy partnerships. Students will examine the translation of philanthropic vision and capital into social innovation and action by applying strategic decision-making models as frameworks. Students will analyze foundation mission, operating principles and infrastructure, while learning about financial management, grantmaking, evaluation and knowledge management. Additional topics include individual giving, donor intent, policy change, global social investing, venture philanthropy and corporate philanthropy. Coursework will include readings and case discussions, as well as role-plays, small-group brainstorms and in-class debates. The primary individual project will entail creating a business plan for a $10 million foundation. Every business plan will also include an organizational assessment of a real service-providing nonprofit. Finally, each student will create a short Philanthropic Passion video presentation.

Every individual has the opportunity to be philanthropic. If you have the opportunity to give financial, human and/or intellectual capital, you have a responsibility to align your resources and passions with public needs and welfare. This seminar is appropriate for any student driven to effect positive social change from either the for-profit or nonprofit sector. This class will challenge each student to enhance and actualize their critical, creative and strategic thinking, vision and potential philanthropically.