Historically Black Bowie State University n Maryland is joining with ABFE (formerly the Association of Black Foundation Executives) to form a partnership that will implement and sustain a Historically Black College and University Philanthropy Initiative. This will include the establishment of a master of philanthropy and nonprofit management degree program within the Bowie State University College of Business.
The objectives of the new degree program are to (1) increase the numbers and capacities of Black executive leaders in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors; and (2) to produce a new crop of HBCU graduates who can be more effective as change agents on issues affecting communities of color. ABFE will inject a practitioner perspective into the university’s curriculum development efforts and lend its support to its funding and human resource development. The new degree program is scheduled to launch in the Fall 2024 semester.
“There are more than 1.5 million charitable organizations in the United States according to the National Philanthropic Trust,” said James Hyman, assistant professor of public administration in the College of Business at Bowie State University. “In 2020, Americans gave $471 billion to education, health, and other causes. Our program will enable students to derive a better understanding of the business of philanthropy and prepare them for jobs within the sector.”