The Center for
Philanthropy
& Nonprofit
Leadership

Welcome to the Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership (CPNL). We envision a vibrant philanthropic culture in Houston, where individuals of all ages and means are inspired to give and to serve, and where nonprofit leaders — both professional and volunteer — have access to the highest quality of educational resources to support their work.

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About CPNL


At the Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership, our programs unite theory and nonprofit sector experience, so students can learn from seasoned practitioners and their peers. The Center seeks to offer high-quality educational programming in formats that are convenient for individuals committed to working and volunteering for nonprofit organizations.


Our programs prepare nonprofit professionals to lead their organizations and strengthen their communities. Fundraisers will acquire best practices to secure resources; board members and volunteers will learn to serve more effectively; and donors will learn to give wisely. We are now in our second year of implementing a strategic direction for programming that focuses on areas of nonprofit sustainability.

Actively Engaged Board
ACTIVELY
ENGAGED BOARD
Defined Strategic Direction
DEFINED STRATEGIC
DIRECTION
Ability to Secure Diverse Sources of Funding
ABILITY TO SECURE DIVERSE
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Sound Financial Practices
SOUND FINANCIAL
PRACTICES
Ability to Demonstrate Impact
ABILITY TO
DEMONSTRATE IMPACT
Talent Management
TALENT
MANAGEMENT
Leadership Commitment
LEADERSHIP
COMMITMENT

We continue to implement new programming options and perform continuous quality improvement to ensure all programs meet the needs of our students.

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OUR MISSION

To increase the effectiveness and impact of the nonprofit sector by providing education and nurturing leadership among professionals and those who support the work of nonprofit organizations. Through professional education, organizations are able to expand opportunities to engage with the greater Houston community and empower the success of nonprofit organizations by building capacity in this sector.

This mission clearly aligns with Rice University's Vision for the Second Century Second Decade through several components.

In particular, CPNL's programs expand opportunities to engage with the greater Houston community and empower the success of nonprofit organizations by building capacity in this sector. 

We invite you to join us on this journey. Navigate our new website and read about our instructors, our conference, certificates, and courses, and see how the Center might help you. We want to help nonprofit organizations achieve their missions and share the power philanthropic action has to enhance our world.

CPNL builds capacity by:
  • Preparing individuals for transition into the nonprofit sector
  • Preparing individuals to move into senior-level nonprofit management and board roles
  • Provide organizations with tools to maximize current available resources including talent and organizational structure
  • Growing the number of individuals with a depth of knowledge in nonprofit finance and fundraising operations

Support the Center

For more information, contact Courtney Tardy, Director of Development by emailing ctardy@rice.edu.

Find out more about our

Nonprofit Programs

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