In recent years, there has been a significant shift in philanthropy. Beyond the relatively simple questions, such as “Who should we donate to?”, the focus is now on a much deeper and more complex question: “How can we use available resources without wasting them on fragmented and disconnected initiatives?”. This change is more subtle than it may seem, yet it is profoundly decisive. Philanthropy is no longer just an act of generosity; it has become a fundamental part of the collective strategy through which individuals, businesses and communities care for their future.
Addressing this complexity requires much more than goodwill or isolated insights. It requires a set of tools, methods and a common language that can translate the ideal of “doing good” into structured and, most importantly, effective practices. It is from this need that the Master’s Degree Strategic Philanthropy. Developing social impact starting from local communities and family businesses, was born. It is an executive program created by Ca’ Foscari Challenge School in collaboration with Fondazione Clarice and the University of Geneva.
The goal of the Master’s is not only to provide practical skills but also to create a new generation of leaders who approach philanthropy as a complex discipline, going far beyond the simple distribution of funds. This work begins with the ability to develop a global vision that integrates social and entrepreneurial strategies to build sustainable projects rooted in the real needs of the communities they aim to serve. The program is designed for those who wish to develop a strategic approach to philanthropy, with the goal of generating lasting change, without wasting resources and maximizing impact.
The Master’s contents
The teaching of the Master’s program begins with this question: how can we move from isolated philanthropic interventions to integrated strategies that truly improve the life of a community, creating lasting impact? The answer is both realistic and complex: it requires bringing together diverse perspectives and skills, developing a holistic and structured approach. The course combines different and complementary fields, such as social and civil economics, nonprofit law, philanthropic finance, dialogue with institutions, and the ability to understand what truly happens within organizations and local communities.
The Master’s program offers a dynamic learning environment. It is not a traditional course where theoretical knowledge is accumulated, but an experiential laboratory where ideas and choices are tested. Each lesson provides the opportunity to tackle real cases, such as:
- helping a foundation rethink the way it supports the community;
- assisting a family business in transitioning from occasional donations to a structured philanthropic project;
- supporting a nonprofit organization in developing innovative project management, evaluation, and learning techniques.
From these concrete scenarios, we start reflecting together on the right questions: what are the real issues to address? Which stakeholders need to be involved in these challenges? How do we design interventions that go beyond a one-year timeframe and transform the community and territory in the long term?
Target audience of the Master’s program
The Master’s in Strategic Philanthropy is designed to train professionals in the effective design of philanthropic initiatives, aimed at creating a tangible and sustainable impact. It goes beyond being a simple course on fund distribution; it is a comprehensive program that teaches how to develop a clear rationale behind each intervention, how to choose the right administrative and financial tools for the task, and how to engage with nonprofit organizations while preserving their autonomy and capacity for innovation.
A central aspect of the program is impact measurement. To do this, it is not enough to collect data and indicators; it is essential to know how to read and interpret the real changes taking place in the communities where interventions are made, without reducing everything to a mere list of numbers and results. The goal is to move beyond the logic of mechanical control and instead adopt a more thoughtful and respectful approach, one that also captures the subtle signals revealing deep transformations, often invisible to those who focus only on the numbers.
The program also explores the theme of technological innovation. There are many tools, starting with artificial intelligence, that modern philanthropy can use to analyze data, narratives and signals from the communities. At the same time, technology plays a crucial role but cannot and should not replace human judgment, which remains at the core of every strategic intervention, ensuring that social impact is anchored to ethical values and a real understanding of local needs.
The Master’s in Strategic Philanthropy aims to transform philanthropy into a professional, strategic, and community-rooted process, capable of tackling the challenges of our time with vision, method and tools focused on creating real and lasting impact.
So, practically, who is the Master’s for? It is for anyone who plays a role, whether professional or not, in the field of philanthropy and social change. To give just a few examples, the Master’s is aimed at those working in a foundation who want to move beyond traditional philanthropic models, such as grant-based funding. It is indeed increasingly clear that social organizations need continuous, structured support that goes beyond the simple distribution of funds. The Master’s is also open to those in family businesses who feel that the material and value-based capital built over generations should not be spent on occasional donations, but rather deserves a consistent and sustainable social engagement strategy. Additionally, the Master’s is designed for innovative figures in the nonprofit sector who wish to engage in more equal dialogue with donors and bring forward proposals that integrate vision, concrete data and a solid connection with local communities.
The Master’s in Strategic Philanthropy is intended for those already involved in philanthropy who want to better structure their work, but also for those currently considering philanthropy as a potential professional horizon. The goal of the program is not to create “lone heroes”, but individuals capable of working in networks, understanding the systems in which they operate, building strategic alliances and developing a shared vision to generate real change.
Il master in Filantropia Strategica è pensato per chi già opera in ambito filantropico e vuole strutturare meglio il proprio lavoro, ma anche per chi guarda alla filantropia come possibile orizzonte professionale. L’obiettivo del programma non è quello di formare “eroi solitari”, ma persone capaci di lavorare in rete, di leggere i sistemi in cui si muovono, di costruire alleanze strategiche e di sviluppare una visione condivisa per generare cambiamenti reali.
Participating and sharing
Wisedāna Foundation also participates in the Master’s program: as teachers, we will bring to the classroom our experience in trust-based philanthropy, systemic design and strategic support for nonprofit organizations. Our contribution comes from the belief that philanthropy should not only be taught through theoretical models, but should be narrated and understood by those who practice it every day.
All the information on the structure, schedule, admission requirements and enrollment process for the Master’s is available on the Ca’ Foscari Challenge School website, on the dedicated page for the Master’s in Strategic Philanthropy: click here to check it out now.
Do you know anyone else who might be interested in this educational opportunity? Forward this article to them to introduce them to this unique opportunity in the Italian academic landscape.
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Written by Beatrice Marzi
Edited by Marta Turchetta
Photos by Pexels
