Philanthropy Expert to Teach the Responsibility and Importance of Giving

February 1, 2010 —

Maryland School of Public Policy students will wrestle with real world challenges of how difficult it is to make wise giving decisions by setting up a philanthropic fund and then donating $10,000 to one or more local nonprofits. This exciting educational endeavor and others are being launched by the arrival of Robert T. Grimm, Jr. recently appointed Professor of the Practice of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management. He will head the School of Public Policy's new program in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management for graduate and undergraduate students to develop the skills and habits of effective philanthropists and public leaders.

The program in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management is made possible through a gift from Bruce and Karen ('76) Levenson, whose goal is to produce graduates committed to advancing the work of nonprofits and to introduce students to the importance of philanthropy in society and their own lives.

"This is a real dream job for me," said Professor Grimm. "I am deeply grateful to the Levenson's for their vision and commitment, and I am excited to be able to join the Maryland School of Public Policy's stellar faculty and impressive students."

Grimm's efforts will lay the foundation for the establishment of a new center for philanthropy and nonprofit management.

"Nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurs play an increasing and varied role in developing and implementing how public policy as well as how change occurs," says MSPP Dean Don Kettl. "We are delighted to have someone with Bob's expertise in this amazingly diverse field join us here at the School."

Grimm comes to the University after having served as Director of Research and Policy Development at the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) from 2004-2010. He was also appointed Senior Counselor to the CEO of CNCS in 2006. CNCS is an independent, federal grant-making agency with an annual budget of over one billion dollars and administrator of programs such as AmeriCorps. Dr. Grimm, originally appointed to his position by the Bush Administration, was re-appointed by the Obama Administration. In his first address to Congress, President Obama called for the passage of the Serve America Act, which Congress subsequently passed. The President signed the Kennedy Serve America Act (2009) during his first hundred days in office. Dr. Grimm was highly involved in the passage and implementation of this historic and highly bi-partisan legislation, including the creation of the new Social Innovation Fund and the strategic planning to set AmeriCorps on a trajectory to grow from 75,000 to 250,000 volunteers per year.

Grimm has researched and written on a variety of topics, including nonprofit management, public policy, charitable behaviors, volunteering, national service, and civic engagement. The research team he led at CNCS produced work that has been publicly characterized as a "landmark in civic renewal" and featured extensively on major media outlets and national newspapers. Dr. Grimm's research has been further published in places such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Journal of Policy Analysis & Management, and Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector Quarterly.

Grimm holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University where he taught in the graduate and executive education programs of the Center on Philanthropy. While at Indiana, he also authored a book on the American philanthropic tradition, Notable American Philanthropists: Biographies of Giving and Volunteering (London and Westport, CT: Greenwood Press).

This spring, Grimm will be teaching a pilot undergraduate course in the College Park Scholars Public Leadership program, where students will learn the art and science of philanthropy. A hallmark of this course will be the hands-on philanthropy project that will allow them to distribute $10,000. Students will be involved in the philanthropic process from beginning to end, including developing a request for proposals, evaluating the proposals, and completing site visits in anticipation of awarding grants. Grimm expects the grant deliberations and decisions will ultimately lead students to confront, question, and sharpen their values.

"Students will experience how giving money well is an incredible responsibility that also requires a wide variety of skills," Grimm says.

He will also teach a graduate course on Nonprofit Management and Leadership which provides an introduction to the nonprofit sector and the leadership and management skills required to achieve social impact.

The School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, provides graduate and post-graduate studies in a comprehensive range of domestic and international policy areas. Situated near the nation's capital, the school affords access for students and faculty to the broad spectrum of governmental and nongovernmental agencies that formulate and implement policies affecting the economy, the environment, welfare, children and families, and international relations.

For more information contact:
Robert T. Grimm 
Professor of the Practice 
Director, Philanthropy and Non Profit Management 
240.601.4289 
301.405.2186
rgrimm@umd.edu

Lara Fuenmayor
Assistant Dean for External Relations
301.405.6429 
larafuen@umd.edu 

 

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Contact: Lara Fuenmayor
Phone: 301/405-6429
Email: larafuen@umd.edu