Herman “Art” Taylor is an integral part of Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, where he currently teaches the Leadership and Management of Nonprofits course. As president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global (AFP) and a board member of numerous organizations, Taylor has built a career of leadership, dedication, and achievement.
Taylor was recently honored with the prestigious John W. Gardner Leadership Award from Independent Sector. Named after John W. Gardner—the former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare—the award highlights visionary and transformative nonprofit leaders who exemplify the ideals of American statesmen and Gardner’s legacy.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the John W. Gardner Leadership Award and to join the many extraordinary leaders who have been recognized before me,” Taylor said. “This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration across our sector—fundraisers, nonprofits, and the communities we serve—to strengthen trust and advance our shared philanthropic vision.”
Over the course of his career, Taylor has remained dedicated to working with nonprofits, communities, and individuals—advancing the common good one day at a time. Prior to joining AFP, Taylor served as president and CEO of Opportunities Industrialization Centers and president and CEO of BBB Wise Giving Alliance. With his illustrious career, Taylor brings unique insights to the classroom while providing expert mentorship to students and future leaders within the nonprofit sector.
At AFP, Taylor works to address critical challenges associated with the modernizing world. Through the implementation of diversified membership tiers, AI-powered career development, strategic belonging initiatives, innovative programming, and technology-enhancing learning, he continually finds new ways to evolve and stand out in the nonprofit sector while helping a wide range of individuals.
Taylor, who has been with Columbia University’s M.S. Nonprofit Management program since 2018, also currently serves as the Nonprofit Management Student Association (NMSA) faculty advisor. His course, Leadership and Management of Nonprofits, provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how the various functional areas of a nonprofit interconnect to achieve its mission and vision, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and work effectively with governing boards and other stakeholders. Through lectures, class discussions, case studies, and group presentations, Taylor covers topics including board composition, structure, and development; executive and shared leadership with other staff; and management, metrics, and finance.
Learn more about the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program and our scholar-practitioner faculty at one of our 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.
