The M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program welcomed Crashonda Andrew to its monthly Lunch and Learn series, hosted by Dr. Basil A. Smikle Jr., professor of practice and NOPM program director. The event featured riveting stories, industry insights, and a Q&A session.
Andrew is a senior nonprofit executive and philanthropy leader with more than a decade of experience managing fundraising initiatives and advancing global impact. She is the current senior vice president of global philanthropy at United Way, a network for community action that brings people and resources together to tackle communities’ toughest challenges.
At United Way, Andrew spearheads development strategies across major gifts, foundations, and planned giving—mobilizing resources for philanthropic investment. She brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to development, translating vision into results through insight, influence, and disciplined execution.
“I learned that passion is essential, and systems are what sustain impact,” said Andrew. “That realization pulled me toward fundraising and philanthropy because I saw that the resources in marginalized communities were scarce.”
Her career has enabled her to serve in roles at the NAACP and Feeding America, where she has consistently bridged strategy and mission to create lasting change in various communities. Andrew has taken on significant responsibilities, but remains true to herself throughout it all.
“I’ve developed some really great relationships by just being myself and being authentic to who and where I’m from and who raised me,” she said.
As an active leader within the nonprofit sector, Andrew offered a unique perspective shaped by her background and philosophy. In transitioning from transactional to relational nonprofit work, she understands the value of community, grassroots giving, and leadership within a field often focused on the top tier of donors.
“I fell into becoming VP of individual giving because of need. There was a lack of structure and a skill that I had learned that I knew my community needed,” Andrew said.
Lonni Ryan, an alum of the program who currently serves as an Adjunct Lecturer and Deputy Program Directorsaid, “Crashonda Andrew is a rockstar. We thank her for her time and willingness to share valuable insights with students and prospective students seeking to build expertise in fundraising and development, philanthropy, and donor engagement, while learning to make high-level, cross-functional decisions grounded in nonp rofit policy, communications, and public-private partnerships.”
For more illuminating discussions with leaders in the nonprofit space and information, learn more about the NOPM program’s upcoming events.
About the 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.
