INDIANAPOLIS—Students who want to launch or enrich a career in nonprofit leadership, research or teaching by earning a Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies will be able to pursue their dreams thanks to a new gift to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Drs. Dwight and Audrey Burlingame have created the Dwight and Audrey Burlingame Doctoral Fellowship in Philanthropic Studies for students at the Center through an endowment gift of $100,000.Dwight Burlingame is associate executive director and director of academic programs at the Center on Philanthropy. He was instrumental in establishing the Center and led the creation of the world’s first Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Philanthropic Studies there. Audrey Burlingame, who holds doctorates in nursing and higher education, has helped to significantly advance both fields through her teaching and professional practice.
Burlingame is a pioneer in the field of Philanthropic Studies who helped create that academic discipline. He continues to be a trailblazer nationally and internationally, helping universities develop programs that study philanthropy and help build civil society across the United States and from South America to the Middle East to Asia. His former students now lead and serve in nonprofit organizations around the world.“Audrey and I are committed to the Center’s success, and we want to give back to students at the doctoral level who often have to make great sacrifices for their education,” Burlingame said. “One of their greatest needs is financial support while they do their dissertation research. We both appreciate the assistance we received when we were earning our Ph.D.s, and we want to repay that by helping the next generation."
Students in the Philanthropic Studies doctoral program engage in in-depth examination of the most complex issues in philanthropy. Their original research helps build knowledge about philanthropy and develop solutions for nonprofit organizations, foundations and communities. Graduates of the Ph.D. program are nonprofit leaders and serve as faculty members at the growing number of universities that offer courses and conduct research in philanthropy and related topics.“Dwight and Audrey have been tireless advocates for our students since the Center’s earliest days, opening their home and their hearts to them,” said Patrick M. Rooney, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy. “They are now opening opportunities for students to gain an advanced education at a time when there is a growing need for professionals and scholars with a sophisticated understanding of philanthropy.”
“We are grateful for their countless contributions to fulfilling the Center’s mission and to higher education, and for this generous gift that will make an enduring difference for our students and for nonprofit organizations everywhere,” Rooney continued.The gift will enable the Center and its students to push the boundaries of knowledge in a thriving research environment, help nonprofits apply new research findings to improve their important work, and develop future leaders who will serve universities and nonprofits across the globe.
Burlingame is active in the nonprofit community in Indianapolis and nationally as a board member, volunteer, speaker and consultant. He is the editor-in-chief of Philanthropy in America: a Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia, a seminal publication in the field. He is the author or coauthor of 11 books and innumerable articles on topics related to philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, corporate philanthropy, fundraising and libraries.“Helping to build the Philanthropic Studies program at the Center has been extremely rewarding for Audrey and me,” Burlingame said. “Above all, that is because of the tremendous pleasure we’ve received from knowing so many inspiring students and seeing the difference they make every day.”
About the Center on Philanthropy
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University is a leading academic center dedicated to increasing the understanding of philanthropy and improving its practice worldwide through research, teaching, training and public affairs programs in philanthropy, fundraising, and management of nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu.