Taking the Fundraising Fundamentals and Grant Writing courses in the Nonprofit Management M.S. program exposed Leisha Cason, '20SPS to an intriguing side of the nonprofit sector: development. In the January 2020 issue of Advancing Philanthropy magazine, Cason shares how she broke into fundraising at Gigi's Playhouse NYC, what she's currently learning on the job, and the benefits of starting at smaller nonprofit organizations.
"I realized that my ultimate career goal—becoming the president or CEO of a nonprofit—would require a lot of experience in management, fundraising, development, and donor relations," she said. "My first piece of advice is to seek jobs at smaller nonprofits. Working at an organization with a development team of 2–3 people gives you the opportunity to get involved in different development strategies while gaining general experience in the field."
Read the full article, "Finding the Right Fit: Developing a Career in Development." Learn more about Columbia University's Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program.
