The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is pleased to announce it is joining the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy network by opening its own affiliated Institute dedicated to helping nonprofits significantly increase their fundraising capabilities and positive impact in Arizona. Based on the vision of philanthropist and entrepreneur T. Denny Sanford, the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at MCCCD is part of a growing nationwide group of Institutes that are offering established, proven curricula that is presented by recognized non-profit leaders, members of academia, and renowned philanthropists. The Institute will be overseen by Maricopa Corporate College (MCOR) which is part of the District and operated by Rio Salado College.

“The positive impact of non-profits in our communities is far reaching and they rely heavily on outside funding in order to achieve their goals,” said Chris Bustamante, president of Rio Salado College. “We are excited to be affiliated with the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy to provide a valuable educational resource for non-profits in Arizona and the surrounding region.”

The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy nationwide movement is coordinated through the founding Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University, a private nonprofit university based out of California that developed the core curriculum and educational materials for all affiliated Institutes based on Mr. Sanford’s approach to philanthropy as a successful entrepreneur and businessman.

The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at Maricopa Community Colleges will strengthen and serve as a resource for nonprofit organizations in Arizona to help increase their fundraising capabilities and strengthen their community impact.

Mr. Sanford, considered to be one of the country’s most generous donors, believes in making the world a better place by helping nonprofits and cause organizations maximize their fundraising potential. The core approaches of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy network are based on Mr. Sanford’s own interactions with hundreds of fundraisers and nonprofit leaders, and his recognition that fundraising effectiveness can be strengthened through approaches that emphasize proven business and sales principles.

As a result, each affiliated Institute, including the one at Maricopa Community Colleges, offers programming based on Cause Selling, which incorporates communication skills and basic psychology, as well as research, strategy and data analysis. This approach is detailed in a one-of-its kind textbook, Cause Selling: The Sanford Way, developed through the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University and based on Mr. Sanford’s vision. Affiliated Institutes also have access to more than 30 online educational modules developed through the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University that focus on Cause Selling and related topics of marketing, fundraising management and donor relationship building. The material is presented in coordination with nonprofit leaders, members of academia and renowned philanthropists who bring their own professional and regional perspective to the content.

“We are very pleased to celebrate the launch of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at the Maricopa Community Colleges, which will strengthen the philanthropic culture in the region they serve and build the capacity of nonprofit leaders,” said Dr. Lena Rodriguez, Endowed Director of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University. “The vision of Mr. Sanford is to make the world a better place, and through the Institutes’ work we create stronger communities through more sustainable and impactful nonprofits.”

To date, more than 12,000 nonprofit leaders have benefitted from programing offered through the founding Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University, which leads the creation of an expanding network of affiliated Institutes in partnership with institutions such as Maricopa County Community College District. Other affiliated Institutes have opened at Long Island University in New York; City University of Seattle in Washington; John F. Kennedy University in the San Francisco Bay Area; Augustana University in South Dakota; and Bellevue University in Nebraska.

To celebrate the launch of the affiliated Institute at Maricopa Community Colleges, the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy will be hosting a free panel discussion on Wednesday, June 28 from 8:00am – 11:00am. Panelists for this event, “Friends in Fundraising: Building and Maintaining Donor Relationships,” include: Elizabeth Reich, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona, Katie Campana, Vice President of Arizona Community Affairs Office for Wells Fargo, Mark Mitchell, Mayor of the City of Tempe, Mark Young, President & CEO of Mesa United Way, Melissa Trujillo, President & CEO of the Be A Leader Foundation, and Rebecca Barry, Lecturer at Arizona State University. The discussion will be moderated by Linda Pastori, Associate General Manager of Development for KJZZ/KBACH. Members of the nonprofit and fundraising communities can register for this event here: http://bit.ly/2qhiehD

About Maricopa Corporate College

As part of the Maricopa Community Colleges, Maricopa Corporate College (MCOR) delivers high-impact training and development solutions for the business community, government, and non-profits. Partner with MCOR for training workshops, corporate/industry boot camps, and organization-wide employee development, or to streamline tuition reimbursement programs and access to clock-hour and credit-bearing employee learning options provided by the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. As the home of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at Maricopa Community Colleges, MCOR provides more than 30 seminars, workshops and webinars annually for the nonprofit community. Learn more at: maricopacorporate.com.

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