Legacy and Trends of Nonprofit Organizations and Civil Society

A diverse historical legacy and philanthropic philosophy have laid the foundation of charity, volunteering, and community impact in the US and across the world. In a rapidly changing and technology-oriented world, philanthropy philosophy, donor motivations, and ways of giving have radically changed. Changing demographics, government policies, and wealth stratification are influencing trends in philanthropy. This course links history and future as it explores the genesis of American wealth creation, giving and voluntarism, as well as the diverse global philosophy and approaches to philanthropy. Nonprofits’ collective impact, the rise of social enterprises and nonprofit innovation, and economic trends are examined to enable and inform how students, as developing leaders, will design their organizations’ approach to meeting community needs and resource development.