Academics

Lecture Series

One night a week, students attend the IPVS Guest Lecture Series which supplements the course curriculum. These lectures will include discussions groups, panels, and presentations featuring prominent figures in the nonprofit sector such as foundation presidents, noted scholars and executives of leading nonprofit organizations.

Eric Tanenblatt, Vice Chair of the Corporation for National and Community Service, speaks to students during an evening lecture.

Past Guest Lecture Topics Include:

• International Relief
• Poverty in DC
• Civic Engagement Among Today's Youth
• Philanthropic Freedom
• Grantwriting
• Community, Corporate and Family Foundations
• Human Trafficking
• Charter Schools: Role of the Private Sector in Public Education
• Roundtable Discussion with Institute Alumni
• Program Evaluation and Nonprofit Accountability
• Nonprofit Career Development
• A Donor & His Philanthropy
• Corporate Giving
• Government & Philanthropy
• Volunteerism in the Post 9/11 Environment
• Disaster Response
• Fundraising
• The Rise of Big Givers: What the Guffett (Buffet/Gates) Foundation means for Philanthropy

Past Participants:

• Bill Hanbury, CEO, United Way

  Robert Egger, founder of DC Central Kitchen poses with a student

• Karen Borchert, Former Director, The Campus Kitchens Project
• Sue Santa, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, The Philanthropy Roundtable
• Diane Charles, Former Executive Director, Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia
• The Honorable Linda Smith, Founder, Shared Hope International
• Kate Palmer, Director of Business Development, The National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship
• Amy Kass, Author, The Perfect Gift
• John Bridgeland, Former Director, USA Freedom Corps
• Jane Eisner, Author, Take Back the Vote
• Steven Park, Founder, Little Lights Urban Ministries
• Adam Meyerson, Executive Director, Philanthropy Roundtable
• Donn Weinberg, Trustee, Weinberg Family Foundation
• Matt Quinn, President, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• Bill Schambra, Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropic & Civic Renewal
• Bob Woodson, Founder & President, National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise
• Diana Aviv, President & CEO, Independent Sector
• Steve Jordan, Executive Director, Council on Corporate Citizenship
• Beth Lovain, Founder, In to Safe Arms of Northern Virginia
• Robert Egger, Founder, DC Central Kitchen
• John Whitehead, former Deputy Secretary of State and Chairman, The Whitehead Foundation
• Jane Morgan, American Red Cross
• Russell Klein, International Relief & Development
• Jim Laychak, Pentagon Memorial Fund

“It has helped me to develop important professional skills and to build strong relationships both with professionals in Washington, DC and with my fellow program participants.  It has also helped me to clarify further what my strengths are and how I can use these strengths to help make a difference in the world.”
Marissa Rurka
Elon University
Intern, The Fishing School