About the Center

Dated: Oct 5, 2010 12:00 AM

When Dr. Peter Thuynsma came to The Fund Raising School for training, he revealed that his work as a professional fundraiser takes him to the doorstep of one of world's most incredible social movements every single day.

Philanthropy has the power to transform lives, institutions, and communities. I was struck by the story of Dr. Thuynsma, from the University of Pretoria, who came to Indianapolis at the end of August. Because of strategic support from the Kresge Foundation and Inyathelo - The South African Institute for Advancement, he was able to join us as a part of a contract training program The Fund Raising School offered for a contingent of South African university fundraising leaders.

Dr. Thuynsma told us about his personal journey, having worked for two universities in South Africa with different roles in the apartheid movement and their resistance to it. He observed that his work as a fundraiser to build and communicate a case for support for programs and students at University of Pretoria is affecting his country’s legacy. Using our training, he is walking his school and its donors through a process that touches deeply on history, reconciliation, and an important vision for the future.

I am energized every day by the Center’s role in providing rigorous, research-based educational programs to nonprofit leaders who need them. Hosting Dr. Thuynsma was a reminder of why The Fund Raising School’s courses continue to resonate with professionals working tirelessly to match their donors’ biggest dreams with their organizations’ missions.

I invite to you hear Dr. Thuynsma talk about the unique takeaways from his Fund Raising School experience, and to learn more about our upcoming courses.

Patrick M. Rooney, Ph. D.
Executive Director
The Center on Philanthropy
at Indiana University
Email: rooney@iupui.edu
Phone: 317-278-8917

A list of prior activity reports can be found here.

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