Frequently Asked Questions
- What does your program offer?
- What is the main benefit of this degree program?
- Who are the other students enrolled in this program?
- Will this program give me practical skills that I can apply in the workplace?
- I would like to make a career change and don't have any background in fundraising even though I think I would be good at it. Is this program right for me?
- I work in a small organization where I am expected to wear many hats. What can your program offer me?
- I work full-time and have the occasional evening obligation. Will this program fit into my schedule?
- What type of job placement is available?
What does your program offer?
Our program is a rigorous concentration of graduate-level courses designed to equip you with the necessary tools to begin a career or move forward with your career in fundraising. You will be taught by some of the top fundraisers in the New York metropolitan area. You will have the wealth of Columbia University's Arts and Sciences courses to draw from should you need to supplement your learning in a particular area. You will be studying with a select group of serious-minded students.
What is the main benefit of this degree program?
For those lacking any fundraising background, the structure of the program offers a useful framework and serves as a foundation for future experience in the field. While the degree is an emblem of what you have accomplished, what will impress employers the most will be your ability to apply what you have learned through the program in a real work environment. Each student should let their individual needs guide them with regard to the elective offering.
Who are the other students enrolled in this program?
A full range of individuals is represented in the program. About half of the students are currently involved in some aspect of fundraising. About 75% are working in a nonprofit organization of some kind. While their ages range from 20s to 50s, the average age is about 35. The student body is ethnically diverse. Slightly less than half of the students have advanced degrees. All students are very serious about learning more about fundraising and are highly motivated.
Will this program give me practical skills that I can apply in the workplace?
Yes. While students will be provided with a foundation in each of the areas covered, they will also be required to role play and design practical strategies with experts in the field. The major goal of the program is to give students the tools needed to translate theory into practical real life solutions.
I would like to make a career change and don't have any background in fundraising even though I think I would be good at it. Is this program right for me?
Yes. Fundraising Essentials will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the profession. Each additional course provides you with an intensive exploration of that area thereby giving newcomers to the field a solid foundation and the tools to determine which area is best suited to their skills and interest.
I work in a small organization where I am expected to wear many hats. What can your program offer me?
The program is ideally suited to those who need to fill in specific gaps in a number of areas.
I work full-time and have the occasional evening obligation. Will this program fit into my schedule?
The program was designed specifically with the needs of working professionals in mind. All required courses are offered in the evening.
What type of job placement is available?
We do not currently have any formal placement service, though students have access to the Center for Career Education. Job announcements forwarded to the program are distibuted frequently to students. In addition, faculty, alumni, and program staff can provide additional job-placement assistance.
