Dean Amir Pasic to teach “Philanthropy in Times of Crisis” in fall 2020
A new online class on the COVID-19 crisis and what it and other crises mean for philanthropy will be offered this fall by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis.
The eight-week course, which will be taught by Amir Pasic, Ph.D., the Eugene R. Tempel Dean of the school, will take a deeper dive into the roles of philanthropy in crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial awakening following George Floyd’s killing. How do crises affect philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, and what role does philanthropy play in society before, during and after such crises?
“As a period of intense trouble and danger, often exposing pre-existing inequities in society, a crisis demands intense responses,” Pasic said. “What roles does philanthropy play in this response? As we emerge from the crisis, what roles can philanthropy have in shaping the new normal? And, as we consider the world before the pandemic, how was philanthropy prepared? Finally, what did the upheaval of the crisis reveal about the world that we had perhaps taken for granted? What does this mean for how we understand and deploy philanthropy? I am looking forward to engaging with diverse perspectives on these and other questions as students and speakers bring their ideas and experiences to this new class.”
Crises bring an urgent need for philanthropy. They also lead to scarcities of resources to help. Nonprofit services are in high demand in the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of people afflicted by the virus or its economic consequences need basic sustenance. Additionally, domestic violence centers have seen a huge uptick, as have adoptions from animal shelters, as just two of many examples. Increased need requires more staff time and resources. How does philanthropy respond to these circumstances? How do organizations serve their mission while still remaining viable themselves? Nonprofits also do much more than provide services – they also help re-imagine how and why “we are in this together.” Will this lead to changes in basic social norms?
The Philanthropy in Times of Crisis class will examine philanthropic activities in disasters such as pandemics, wars and recessions and how they increase our understanding of philanthropy. It will also investigate local and global community resilience, including issues of equity and justice, and the political elements of philanthropy that are brought to the fore through rapid and unexpected change.
The course will draw on the expertise of multiple Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty members, as well as insights from philanthropic leaders featured in the school’s Perspectives in Philanthropy Speaker Series. Students can expect weekly lectures from the following guest lecturers on timely, relevant issues such as:
- Historical comparisons going back to the Great Influenza with Dr. Kathi Badertscher
- Inequities and approaches to outcomes in philanthropy with Dr. Lehn Benjamin
- The disproportionate impact on communities of color with Dr. Tyrone Freeman
- Global grassroots responses to COVID-19 with Dr. Catherine Herrold
- Data, truth and communication in a pandemic: Using data to navigate? with Dr. Patricia Snell Herzog
- Compassion for self and others: managing burnout while helping with Dr. Sara Konrath
- Global efforts to measure giving to COVID-19 relief causes with Dr. Una Osili
- How community foundations are recreating communities in times of crisis with Dr. Laurie Paarlberg
- Giving to a disaster or giving during a recession, what’s going on now? with Dr. Patrick Rooney
- The role of faith as a unifier and divider in periods of crisis with Dr. David King
- Why and how to fundraise during and after the pandemic with Dr. Timothy Seiler
- Philanthropic leadership in an era of disruption and ambiguity with Bill Stanczykiewicz
- The challenge for arts and culture sectors with Dr. Gene Tempel
- Giving within and across borders – the impact of COVID-19 with Dr. Pamala Wiepking
- How does the record of national service inform the response to COVID-19 with Dr. Leslie Lenkowsky
- How might COVID-19 affect the humanitarian impulse and what can we learn from the history of humanitarianism? with Dr. Amanda Moniz, David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
The Philanthropy in Times of Crisis class will be conducted asynchronously online, with eight synchronous, live Zoom sessions at noon EDT on Fridays from Oct. 23 through Dec. 18. Students unable to attend the live sessions will be able to view recordings. The class is open to people with a bachelor’s degree or higher who are not pursuing a degree with the school, as well as to the school’s current graduate students. Class size is limited. People interested in participating in this course or seeking additional information about it may contact Pamela Clark at pamelac@iu.edu.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.