Carleton University has announced a major milestone for the philanthropic and nonprofit sector: Canada’s first Chair in Philanthropy.
Housed within the School of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, the Chair will build on the university’s successful Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program and will strengthen the sector.
Funded by a collaborative group of donors from across the country, this Chair will spearhead research, training, and knowledge mobilization.
“What I think is really special about the Chair in Philanthropy is that they will have a real opportunity to be a leader,” says Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, co-founder of the Happy Roots Foundation and a member the donor group, “both in bringing and providing support, information, and research to the nonprofit sector — for the organizations that are serving communities—and also for the philanthropic sector—for donors and funders and grant-makers.
Supported by philanthropy, Canada’s 170,000 charities and nonprofits assist the most vulnerable in our society, protect our environment, provide humanitarian aid and international development, and enrich our lives through arts, faith and sports. As with business or any other professional field, the philanthropic and nonprofit sector requires sophisticated expertise, talent development, R&D and evidence-based strategies.
The Chair aims to leverage new resources and collaborate with sector stakeholders to generate and mobilize data, supporting evidence-based initiatives in the charitable and nonprofit sectors, as well as philanthropy at large.
“We are honoured that a group of visionary donors recognized the need for this academic chair and chose Canada’s only graduate program tailored to leadership positions in this sector, the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program, housed within the Faculty of Public and Global Affairs,” says Brenda O’Neill, Dean of the Faculty.
The establishment of the Chair comes at a pivotal time for charitable organizations, which are navigating unprecedented changes and uncertainties. These challenges include innovation with new financing and business models, the impact of big data and digital technologies, inflation, rising demand for services, and the intergenerational transfer of wealth.
The Chair will commence its work in 2026, poised to make a transformative impact on the sector. It is a key building block in establishing a world class Centre for Philanthropy and Civil Society that will advance this important field and enhance professional practice and public policy for the sector.
The MPNL program offers a unique hybrid model, combining two-week executive-style courses with online learning. Each year, it welcomes approximately 35 students, a mix of aspiring and experienced professionals from across Canada and around the world.
