I hope this message finds you well. I’ll take this opportunity to reflect on the year past and consider our upcoming work in 2024. It is with deep appreciation when I consider the accomplishments of faculty and staff associated with the center. Their work and dedication to our cause remains an inspiration. Our work is diverse and inclusive to provide value for many constituents. Please take a look at our annual report to see project from the last year. I write this message as I wrap-up a four-month engagement with the US Embassy in Zimbabwe and over the last week, while in Zimbabwe, I’ve had the privilege to meet some of the most amazing individuals who work daily to strengthen the rights and capabilities of women, and youth, and who create and facilitate the political processes that sustain a healthy and vibrant society. They are some of the best people who diligently make a difference for those around them; it is difficult and fulfilling work. I’ll share more of my experiences online and in upcoming communications. Please take a moment to review our newsletter and see some of our recent projects of this past year and learn about upcoming programs that are sure to inspire and strengthen those who can join us. We invite you to join us.
The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy, will host a Leadership in Board Service Program on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas from 1p.m.- 4p.m.
This professional development training is led by Bush School faculty
Gain an in-depth review of Board member roles, responsibilities, and best practices of high-performing Boards
Representatives from the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy, including faculty, staff, and students attended several nonprofit conferences during the fall semester.
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Annual Conference, October 11-13, Pittsburg, PA - Dr. Kenny Taylor led a discussion group at the 2023 NASPAA Conference in Pittsburg, PA.
Philanthropy Southwest Annual Conference, October 17, Lost Pines, TX - Dr. William Brown, CNP Director, and CNP Advisory Board member Dr. Wynn Rosser, Nicole Collier, and students attended the conference and presented research on a framework of systems change model.
Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Annual Meeting November 16-18, Orlando, FL - Dr. William Brown, Dr. Kenny Taylor, Dr. Robbie Robichau, Dr. Deborah Kerr, Dr. Angela Seaworth, and Nicole Collier attended, presented and led sessions at the meeting.
Dr. Kenny Taylor facilitated a training, Teaching and Classroom Management, for doctoral students who were members of the Diversity Scholars and Leaders Professional Development Program.
Dr. Angela Seaworth presented a paper titled Strategic or Funded? Implications of How Financial Sustainability Shapes Nonprofit Education that furthers our research on the sustainability of nonprofit academic centers. Co-researchers are Dr. Peter Weber, Brittany Branyon, and Robert Long.
Dr. William Brown, CNP Director, and CNP Advisory Board member Dr. Wynn Rosser presented a paper on a framework for creating systems change.
Dr. Kenny Taylor, outgoing chair of the Governance Section, led the section business meeting, welcomed new board leaders, thanked the outgoing members, and distributed section awards.
Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) Annual Members Meeting, November 15, Orlando, FL - Dr. William Brown was honored as his term as Board President was completed. CNP's Research Associate and NACC's Executive Director, Nicole Collier, organized and managed this annual meeting.
Upswell 2023 Summit, November 15-17, Dallas Ft. Worth, TX - CNP Staff and students and Bush School Online staff attended and presented opportunities and programs available for nonprofit professionals at the Bush School, Texas A&M University.
South Central Texas Rural Philanthropy Day, November 3, 2023, La Grange, TX - Dr. Angela Seaworth and Alyssa Duany attended the one-day meeting. Dr. Seaworth presented "Clarifying Governance to Build Effective Boards" at the conference and facilitated a session about moving strategic planning to action that offered a roadmap for planning and explained its value to nonprofits today.
Webinars & Research sponsored by the Center
September - Confronting Nonprofit Human Capital Issues facilitated by Dr. Angela Seaworth.
October - Individual and Organizational Dimensions of Volunteerism at Public Service Organizations facilitated by Dr. Kenny Taylor and guest presenter, Rachel Currie Triska, CEO, VolunteerNow.
November - Anatomy of Nonprofit Brands, co-facilitated by Dr. William Brown and Stacy Landreth Grau, Ph.D.
The data in the 2023 Built for Texas Report: Creating a More Connected & Resourced Future for our Nonprofit Sector was facilitated by Nicole Collier, who also conducted a webinar on the topic. The work was done in partnership with Texas Nonprofit Strong, OneStar and the United Ways of Texas. The report was recently released to explore the growth of the state's nonprofit sector and highlight the importance of collaboration.
After the report's release, Collier presented vital data and trends from the report to Onestar's audience and nonprofit professionals in the state. Key findings include:
Sector Growth: 22%,130,000 nonprofit organizations in Texas, since 2015.
Sector's Revenue Growth: only 13%, since 2015.
Outreach
Leadership in Board Service Program
The Center sponsored the Leadership in Board ServiceProgram on November 8th in College Station, Texas. Dr. Brown and Dr. Kenny Taylor held the discussion and presented best practices to those who attended. This event is held biannually, and the next session will be held on January 9, 2024, in Houston, Texas.
Brazos Valley Gives Celebration
The Center sponsored the 5th Annual Brazos Valley Gives Celebration on November 13th at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. Brazos Valley Gives consists of 18 hours of online giving that brings the region together on one day and as "one community" to raise critical funding and awareness for nonprofit organizations. The campaign is operated by the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley. In 2023, the sponsored event celebrated $1,444,920 in giving to 168 organizations.
Student Enrichment
Bush Board Fellows
The Center held the 16th Annual Pinning Ceremony for the current and incoming Bush Board Fellows on December 7th at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. There were 4 new organizations, bringing the total of organizations to 19 organizations that will be hosting students. Certificates were presented to 31 students who participated in 2023, and 26 students received their Bush Board Fellow lapel pins and will serve in 2024. Congratulations to all the students for their service to the nonprofit community!
National Philanthropy Day in the Bush School
Student members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) celebrated National Philanthropy Day at the Bush School. Acting Bush School Dean, Frank Ashley even got involved in the fun on November 14, 2023.
Inside The Center
Faculty Update
Congratulations to Dr. Ellie Heng Qu, and Dr. Robbie Robichau for their promotions to Associate Professor and to Dr. Kenny Taylor for his promotion to Associate Professor of the Practice.
Dr. Angela Seaworth is serving on the Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy Jury to select a book that contributes substantially to the knowledge and understanding of fundraising or philanthropic behavior. She also serves on the Fundraising Effectiveness Committee Steering Committee and AFP Global Research Council.
Professor Brian Nakamura - Department of Public Service and Administration,
Professor Christine Lipsmeyer - Department of Political Science
Staff Awards were presented to:
Douglas Thorton, Assistant Department Head, Department of Political Science
Denise Parker '77, Administrative Associate, Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy.
Howdy & Goodbye
Howdy
The Center has hired two student workers for the 2023 - 2024 academic year.
Emilee Matheson- Student Event Coordinator - Emilee is a first-year Master of International Affairs Candidate at the Bush School of Government & Public Service. Emilee received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah State University.
Madeline (Maddie) Luster '21 - Student Program Coordinator - Maddie received her Bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University Galveston Campus in May 2021. Her degree is in Maritime Studies, Political Science, and Government.
Goodbye
December 31, 2023, will mark the retirement of Denise Parker '77. Denise has worked for the Center since 2017. Parker said, "Working at the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy, Bush School of Government & Public Service has been a tremendous experience. I wish to thank Dr. William Brown for providing me the opportunity to serve at the Center and at the Bush School. It has been an honor and a great experience."
Thank you all for your support of CNP! Happy Holidays and we wish you a great start to 2024!
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