CNP’s Mission

The CNP supports a vibrant nonprofit and philanthropic sector in Texas and beyond, through high quality research, professional outreach and engaged learning.

About CNP

The Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy is dedicated to outreach, education, and research. The program offers several opportunities to become involved in the Bush School, Texas A&M, and the community. The outreach activities support the effective management of nonprofit organization by bringing the most relevant research and scholarship to nonprofit professionals through workshops, seminars and conferences. Our education programs provide rigorous courses that engage students in discussion-based classes. These courses balance a practical skills preparation and challenging curriculum with supportive faculty. Our faculty and students are engaged in cutting-edge research that covers a range of topics and informs our understanding of nonprofits and philanthropy. The program also develops research summaries that provide practical insight to policy makers, donors, and nonprofit professionals.

CNP’s Focus

CNP operates in three areas:

✯

Outreach

✯

Education

✯

Research

Outreach: Reflecting the need to stay relevant and engage directly with the nonprofit community, and to represent the Bush School’s values of public service, the center will: 1) establish the Bush School and Texas A&M as a major player in supporting the development of a vibrant nonprofit sector in Texas; and, by extension 2) establish Texas A&M University as a leader in nongovernmental organization (NGO) management and capacity building. Its initial focus will be the state of Texas, with priority given to underserved areas, including the border areas. It will also launch activities and develop work in the international arena as opportunities allow.
Engaged learning: The center will enhance the experience of Bush School students in the area of nonprofit studies and attract more high-quality students to nonprofit studies at the Bush School. The purpose is to strengthen students’ ability to step into responsible positions upon graduation and to give them the perspectives needed to provide leadership within organizations and to address important public problems.
Nonprofit and philanthropic research: The center will seek to develop a research program that will have a meaningful impact for the nonprofit sector and strengthen the Bush School’s position academically. The center will: 1) Promote nonprofit research at the Bush School and across the TAMU campus that reaches academic and professional audiences. 2) Improve Texas leaders’ understanding of the scope, structure, and capacity of nonprofits and philanthropy in Texas. 3) Establish the Bush School of Government and Public Service as a state, national, and global thought leader in nonprofit and philanthropic studies.

Associated & Affiliated

The Bush School, the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy, and faculty are associated/affiliated with several academic and research associations.

The Bush School of Government and Public Service is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

The Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy is a recognized member of the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC).

Faculty regularly present research at theses nonprofit related research associations: Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) and International Society for Third-Sector Research (ISTR).

Texas A&M University will serve as the administrative headquarter for NACC. NACC is an international membership association comprised of academic centers or programs at accredited colleges and universities that focus on the study of nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations, voluntary action, and/or philanthropy.