Center for Nonprofits Receives $20,000 Grant to Expand Its Reach

Students in the MBA program help agencies better communities through project management

Sacred Heart University has received a $20,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation that will help SHU’s Center for Nonprofits (CNP) assist such organizations in solving issues or advancing their programs.

The CNP, which was founded in 2002 as part of the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology, provides students in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with real-world experience, applying their knowledge of strategy, marketing and business plans to assist area nonprofits. Over the years, students have worked on more than 160 projects entailing financial analysis, education and training, human resources and more. The center was one of 10 organizations to be inducted into the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and has partnered with clients such as the Beardsley Zoo, Operation Hope Shelter and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“This grant for $20,000 will allow the Center for Nonprofit Organizations to expand into New Haven to bring training to staff of nonprofit agencies and enable them to benefit from consultation with SHU’s MBA students in solving business problems that affect them,” said Bill Hass, the CNP’s director. 

Sacred Heart’s MBA students take 36 credits in courses that teach managerial and technical skills, providing a well-rounded understanding of the business world. The MBA program is one of less than five percent of elite business schools worldwide that hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It provides students access to the University’s state-of-the-art facilities, such as the IDEA Lab, the artificial intelligence lab and the finance lab. For additional information, visit the MBA program page. 

The CNP has received grant support from Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation annually since 2014. The University is grateful for the foundation’s continued support.

The Bank of America, through its foundation, partners with nonprofit organizations to promote the economic and social standing of low- and moderate-income communities. Since 2004, Bank of America has worked with more than 1,000 nonprofits in 49 communities and has invested more than $240 million in sustainability efforts.