The University of Iowa leads the way in philanthropic programs
"There is not any other formalized philanthropic education program on the undergraduate level [in the United States] and the ones on the graduate level are quite spotty," Gruneich said.
The University of Iowa is developing a philanthropic studies program that focuses on preparing and educating current students about philanthropic professions, either as fundraisers or future board members of foundations.
The seeds were planted by Iowa native Kevin Gruneich (B.B.A. 1980, Park City, Utah), a three-year board member of the UI foundation, who went on to work on Wall Street for 22 years. As an investor, Gruneich believed that it would be beneficial to hold fundraisers at a low cost and in turn raise money for the university. Gruneich and his wife, Donna, started the Kevin and Donna Gruneich Fund, which donated $100,000 toward the project. The UI Foundation put together the formal process to initiate the philanthropic studies program.
Giving spirit Alumnus Kevin Gruneich and his wife, Donna (not pictured), envisioned the concept that would become UI's philanthropic education program. Photo by Mahmoud Lutfi
"It would be great if down the road, the UI could become known as the sharing university," Gruneich said.
Gruneich didn’t come from a wealthy background, so his scholarships, student loans and grants were imperative during his time at the UI.
"Iowans are better givers than elsewhere," Gruneich said.
Gruneich double majored in finance and industrial relations at the Tippie College of Business and minored in political science. He felt that developing a philanthropic studies program was vital because it raised money and awareness for various causes across the board.
"We’re talking [about] a cross-range of charities and also being geographically agnostic," Gruneich said. "We’re not talking about necessarily the University of Iowa only; we’re talking about this program being available via distance learning at some point, and also helping people not only in Iowa and the U.S., but worldwide."
UI Foundation Senior Vice President of Development Flynn Andrizzi said the Office of Provost advised them to implement the philanthropic studies program academically and offer a philanthropic studies certificate.
"The dream would be that other academic institutions would look to Iowa for training of undergraduates for philanthropy," Andrizzi said.
Advancement Resources, an organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the premiere training organization for philanthropy/development offices in the United States. According to its Web site, It held seminars at the University of Florida and UCLA, among others, to train fundraising offices and foundations. Advancement Resources has been researching philanthropic studies and believes, that eventually there would be a program at the UI campus.
"There’s really not a pathway in college to get into this business and work for nonprofit as a development officer or fundraiser," Andrizzi said. "It’s a strange dichotomy, because this is the fastest growing profession in the country."
Director of the J-MC School David Perlmutter said communication, such as writing, photographing and conversational skills are integral to success in being a development officer or fundraiser.
"Not coincidently 13 people at the UI Foundation are graduates of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication," Perlmutter said. "Every Kind of interpersonal, personal and mass communication skill that you can think of is really important to the success of working within non-profits for raising money or raising awareness."