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I am interested in philanthropy and foundations. There are no undergraduate or post-secondary programs in this field.What should I study, and where?

I haven't found any undergraduate university or college programs specific for a career in philanthropy. How do I get started? #career-counseling #career-choice #career-development

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B.’s Answer

If you are interested in philanthropy and foundations, there are a number of ways to get started without studying the subject in undergrad. In undergraduate studies, it may help to actually study sociology, anthropology, psychology, or another related field which will give you a lens into some of the socioeconomic, race related, and/or political conditions that foundations and philanthropy seek to address. If you are interested in the entrepreneurial aspect of running a foundation, or the financial aspect of upholding one, you could study one of these business-related subjects as well. You could then pursue a graduate program in Nonprofit Management (https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/nonprofit-management-rankings). This helpful resource (https://philanthropynewyork.org/so-you-want-job-philanthropy) outlines the types of jobs you would find in philanthropy, and you can then work backward to find what it would be helpful to study:
Finance -> study finance.
Admin/HR -> study HR.
Donor relations -> study sales/marketing, fundraising, asset development, gift planning.
Research -> work on independent research connected to grantmaking and foundations.


To summarize, if there are no undergraduate programs at your university relating to philanthropy and foundations, I would suggest you study business/finance/marketing/sales/HR or any related field like sociology, political science, or psychology. During your summers, you can pursue internships with foundations. First seek to learn the skills that would help you thrive at the job, and then you will land the jobs as a byproduct of being extremely knowledgeable about the field you’re hoping to join! There are also a large number of specialized Masters programs which you could enter into in order to cement your career moving forward. All the best!
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Revé’s Answer

It's great that you know what you're interested in pursuing! I recommend as a development professional, having internships in this field. I started out working in University Advancement as a work study student and it was a great introduction to what goes on in fundraising shops. Many positions require a mastery of writing so my studies in English literature are very transferable. You could also consider majoring in the specific impact area of the non-profit you want to work for such as conservation or environmental studies, etc.
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