On January 29, the Columbia University School of Professional Studies Office of Alumni Relations hosted its inaugural Nonprofit Board and Volunteer Recruitment Fair, convening alumni and mission-driven nonprofit organizations for an evening focused on service, leadership, and community impact.
The event brought together 11 nonprofits spanning sectors from arts and culture to environmental advocacy and social impact. Designed as more than a traditional networking event, the fair created space for substantive conversations between organizations at critical inflection points in their development and alumni eager to contribute their professional expertise.
Rather than formal presentations or panel discussions, the evening emphasized “professional matchmaking,” connecting nonprofits seeking new board members or volunteers with alumni interested in governance and service opportunities. Some participating organizations were forming their first professional boards, while others were refreshing leadership positions. Alumni from diverse professional backgrounds—including management, finance, marketing, operations, legal, and technology—explored how their skills could help shape an organization’s future direction.
The event highlighted the strength and breadth of the SPS alumni community including alumni-led and alumni-affiliated organizations such as Almora Advisors, BoardStrong, EDsnaps, Make-A-Wish Metro New York, The Stonewall Chorale, and the Trust for Public Land.
"It was incredibly inspiring to see students, alumni, and nonprofit leaders come together to give back,” said Allen. “Creating spaces like this opens real pathways for the Columbia University community to step into meaningful service and leadership.”
Throughout the evening, alumni met with multiple organizations, learned about their missions, and discussed board and volunteer pathways tailored to their interests and experience. Whether seasoned board members or exploring nonprofit governance for the first time, attendees engaged directly with leaders building organizations that address pressing social challenges.
“The inaugural Nonprofit Board and Volunteer Recruitment Fair was incredibly well received and highlighted the strength of our alumni community. Bringing together mission-driven nonprofits and alumni eager to serve led to meaningful connections and real potential for impact,” said Patty Tsai, senior director of alumni relations. “We’re excited by the response and look forward to hosting this event again in the future.”
The strong turnout and enthusiastic response underscore SPS’s and the NOPM program’s continued commitment to fostering lifelong engagement and creating meaningful opportunities for alumni to apply their expertise beyond the workplace. By connecting professional experience with community need, the fair reinforced the School’s broader mission of preparing leaders to drive impact across sectors.
The fair, which followed a previous panel discussion, "Land a Nonprofit Board Seat: Expert Tips on Getting Recruited,” was supported by the M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program, with special thanks to Sandra Cespedes Allen (’20SPS, NOPM), founder and CEO of Almora Advisors, who served as chair of the event, played a key role in shaping its vision, and helped recruit participating organizations, and to Deanna Bosselman (’16SPS, NOPM), associate instructor and founder of Fundrayzr, for her leadership and engagement.
Together, these events support alumni in advancing their professional development and community leadership. A recording of the panel discussion is available and offers insights into what nonprofits look for in board candidates and how to position yourself effectively.
About the Office of Alumni Relations
The Office of Alumni Relations at Columbia University School of Professional Studies fosters a lifelong professional network among its extensive global community of over 15,000+ alumni. By offering a range of networking and learning opportunities, social and athletic events, shared interest groups, global alumni clubs, and career resources, the office empowers alumni and students to forge meaningful connections with thought leaders and innovators across various industries. Additionally, it provides fundraising opportunities that support the development of future leaders and change-makers in both public and private sectors.
About the Nonprofit Management Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, healthcare, the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
Learn more about the program here. The program is available part-time, full-time, on-campus, and online.
